Oman's Sultan Haitham names new energy minister in Cabinet reshuffle

The sultan also issued a decree establishing a higher justice council

Oman's Sultan Haitham has also appointed a new head of the State Audit Institution responsible for protecting public funds. AFP

Oman's Sultan Haitham on Thursday ordered a Cabinet reshuffle in a royal decree.

One of the notable changes was the appointment of Salem Al Oufi as Minister of Energy and Minerals.

Dr Mohammed Al Maamari has been appointed as Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs while Dr Hilal Al Sabti was named Minister of Health, the country's state television channel reported.

Sultan Haitham also issued a decree establishing a higher justice council.

Mr Al Oufi, the new Energy Minister, had served as undersecretary of the Ministry of Energy and Minerals since August, 2020.

He is also vice chairman of the board of directors of Oman's Public Authority for Water (Diam), and a member of the board of Petroleum Development Oman, the major oil and gas exploration and production company in the Sultanate.

The sultan also appointed Ghosn bin Hilal Al Alawi as the new head of the State Audit Institution responsible for protecting public funds, safeguarding state properties and preventing conflict.

The royal decree also defined the functions of the Ministry of Interior and approved its organisational structure.

Oman said earlier this year it is projecting a deficit of 2.24 billion Omani rials ($5.82bn) in the fiscal year, which is equivalent to 8 per cent of its gross domestic product.

Government revenue for the year is projected to decrease by 19 per cent year-on-year, to 8.64bn rials, while spending is estimated to dip to 10.88bn rials, an annual drop of 14 per cent, the budget shows.