Saudi Gazette report

MUSCAT — In a bid to provide support to the private sector businesses reeling from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, Oman has unveiled an emergency interest-free loan program.

In a royal order on Tuesday, Oman’s Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik ratified the loan program, according to the Oman News Agency (ONA).

The program seeks to assist some segments of entrepreneurs whose businesses took the brunt of the pandemic, particularly holders of Riyada Card (for small and medium enterprises) and self-employed entrepreneurs, as well as beneficiaries of loans of Oman Development Bank and Al Raffd Fund.

The loans shall be granted in accordance with the terms and procedures set by the supreme committee tasked with tackling developments resulting from coronavirus pandemic.

In another development, Oman decided to open a new set of commercial and industrial activities with effect from Wednesday (June 20).

The departments concerned will announce the details of the said activities and necessary health measures needed for their resumption while taking all the precautionary measures issued by the departments concerned.