MARCH 2019 globaltravelerusa.com 59
CHECKING IN WITH
HAURA AL-WAHAIBI
Oman Commercial Attaché,
Washington, D.C.
Embassy of The Sultanate of Oman in
the United States
Living in America, what do you miss
about Muscat?
I miss special occasions, national and
religious holidays, and weekends when
extended families get together and have
picnics and trips, every time to different
places. Also I miss the weather — it can
be hot there, but at least it is warm and
sunny. Mainly, I miss the people.
How has the country changed during
your lifetime?
My mother didn’t have the opportu-
nity to study; school was limited to
boys. And Muscat’s big city gate closed
after sunset. You were either locked in
or locked out. You had to go through
the government to get eyeglasses. Now
His Majesty modernized education and
health, and everybody is happy about
the changes.
Why is Muscat a good place to do
business, and what are compelling
opportunities?
The government supports foreign direct invest-
ment, offering a package of incentives: five years’
tax exemption, plus Americans have 100 percent
ownership of their companies and can send their
money home with no restrictions. Business is
flourishing because Oman has spent a lot of money
developing the seaport and the new airport. We
focus on economic zones, free zones and seaports
that are logistic hubs. South of Muscat, Duqm on
the Indian Ocean is the largest economic zone in
the Middle East.
Trade is good business — shipping American
products not only for use in Oman but for distribu-
tion. We have storage and seaports, so it is easy
to distribute to the Middle East and to Indian and
African markets.
What is the attitude toward women?
We deal with men and women like brother and
sister, even in government and operations. We are
equal, and the government believes in women and
gives preference to them. What tourism is encouraged, and is the country
safe to visit?
We focus on culture and community-based activities
in nature. Oman has wilderness parks, mountains,
beach resorts and a combination of sea and
mountains you can’t find in other Middle Eastern
countries. Oman is one of the safest countries in
the world, 100 percent safe. The Omani people and
our leaders don’t believe in war and self-promotion.
Oman has no issue with its neighbors.Is there concern about leadership after Sultan
Qaboos?
Our government is stable. We don’t have your kind
of competition between parties. We are working
in one party and one system, so we don’t have
competition about who will rule.BUSINESS CONTACT:
Haura Al-Wahaibi
PHOTO: © HAURA AL-WAHAIBIDINING
AL ANGHAM
Situated within the impressive Royal
Opera House complex, Al Angham
features Omani culture and décor,
dishes, motifs and silverware
inspired by the Sultanate’s heritage.
Royal Opera House, Sati Al-Qurmt
$$$$BAIT AL LUBAN
Situated with views of the old port,
the “house of Omani hospitality”
serves traditional meals combining
flavors from the early trading routes
to East Africa and India.
Al Mina Street, Muttrah Corniche
$$$$KURKUM
Indian cooking — biryani, prawn
curry, coconut rice — is the focus
at this cozy and casual spot on the
Corniche near the souk on Muttrah
Harbor.
Way No. 08, Muttrah Corniche
$$$JUST THE FACTS
Time zone: GMT +4
Phone code: Country code: 968
City code: 24
Currency: Omani rial
Key industries: Oil, manufacturing,
transportation, tourism, fisheries,
agriculture, miningINFO TO GO
Lying about 20 miles south of the
old city on Sultan Qaboos Highway
and originally called Seeb, Muscat
International Airport is the country’s
main airport and the hub for Oman
Air and Salam Air. A new passenger
terminal with 118 check-in counters
and 45 gates opened in 2018,
with further expansion planned to
number it among the world’s top 20
airports by 2020. Public buses stop
in front of the airport area; hotel
shuttles are preferred. Blue-and-
white metered taxis to the business
district cost around $25.