Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07MUSCAT1013
2007-11-04 06:42:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Muscat
Cable title:  

RESEARCH CAPACITY LACKING IN OMAN

Tags:  ECON TNGD TPHY MU 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0001
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHMS #1013 3080642
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 040642Z NOV 07
FM AMEMBASSY MUSCAT
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 8933
UNCLAS MUSCAT 001013 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARP, OES/PCI
OES PASS TO NSF

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON TNGD TPHY MU
SUBJECT: RESEARCH CAPACITY LACKING IN OMAN


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Summary
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UNCLAS MUSCAT 001013

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARP, OES/PCI
OES PASS TO NSF

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON TNGD TPHY MU
SUBJECT: RESEARCH CAPACITY LACKING IN OMAN


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Summary
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1. Oman's lack of research capacity stands to hinder its
drive toward doubling the Sultanate's GDP by 2020, according
to an international consulting firm hired by the country's
Research Council. The firm recommended that the government
build research programs around the water, energy,
petrochemicals, and agriculture/marine biotechnology sectors
through better funding, the reduction of red tape, and the
establishment of high-caliber graduate programs. End Summary.

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Low Research Capacity
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2. On October 21, Econoff attended the "International
Conference on the Sultanate of Oman's Research Strategy,"
sponsored by Oman's Research Council. Sayyid Shihab bin
Tariq al-Said, Chairman of the Research Council, told
participants in his opening remarks that Oman needed to
develop greater research capacity to meet the Sultanate's
objectives of doubling GDP, diversifying the economy,
promoting private sector development, and building human
resources. For this reason, the government would concentrate
on boosting research efforts in the energy and industry,
science, and education fields.


3. Musadiq Malik, Regional Vice President for CRA
International -- the Massachusetts-based consulting firm
retained by the government to develop its research agenda --
followed Sayyid Shihab by explaining that Oman's envisioned
objectives were achievable, so long as the government reduced
its dependence on oil revenues. In order to meet targets
established in Vision 2020, the government's long-range
planning document, Malik noted that the government would need
to close the gap in research quality. He pointed out that
the number of researchers in Oman was currently very low, and
that 70% of those were expatriates. Malik also found Oman's
spending on research relative to its GDP to be meager in
comparison with world leaders, leading to paltry levels of
innovation. For example, he stated that between 2001-2004,
Oman only registered one patent, compared to an average of
94,000 per year for the United States.

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Sectors Identified
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5. In charting a course for Oman, Malik suggested that the
Sultanate focus on developing niche areas of expertise in the
region. He identified water, energy, petrochemicals, and
agriculture/marine biotechnology as sectors ripe for
exploration. Impediments, such as lack of resources, lack of
organizational direction, bureaucratic burdens, and
insufficient expertise would need to be overcome in order to
promote research growth. In laying the foundation for
research excellence, Malik highlighted regulatory reform and
funding as key components, followed by the importance of
creating doctoral programs around high-caliber professors.

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Full Government Support
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6. Comment. The Research Council, established by Royal
Decree, has the full support of the Sultan. The conference
itself was sponsored by Sayyid E'sad bin Tariq al-Said as the
personal representative of the Sultan, and included the
attendance of several high ranking ministers from the
ministries of Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, National Economy,
Higher Education, Social Development, and Manpower.
Significant government interest and investment in the
research sector will be essential for Oman to overcome the
obstacles identified by CRA in establishing a strong presence
in the Gulf. End Comment.
GRAPPO