Productivity, standard of living proposal approved

Muscat: The State Council on Monday approved the proposal of “Integrating the Standard of Living and Productivity” presented by the Economic Committee at its 14th ordinary session of the fourth annual session of the sixth period.
The session chaired by Dr. Yahya bin Mahfoudh Al Mantheri, Chairman of the State Council was held in the presence of the Council members and the Secretary-General of the Council.
The discussions also focused on the Economic Committee’s report on Draft law amending certain articles of the Tender Board Law and the report of the Social Committee on draft law of patient rights and safety and the draft law of wastewater management, treatment and reuse.
Dr. Yahya bin Mahfoudh Al Mantheri, commenced the session with a statement reviewing the agenda of the meeting.
Regarding the proposal of the Economic Committee of “Integration of the Standard of Living and Productivity”, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Harthy, Head of the Economic Committee, delivered the Committee’s statement.
He explained that the study aims to analyse the prevailing standard of living in the Sultanate and determine its consistency with the productivity rates, value added, efficiency and effectiveness.
He noted that the study touched upon the determinants and measures of integration, the balance between increasing the level of productivity and the keenness to improve the standard of living.
He said that the growth model adopted by the Sultanate has achieved significant developments in living standards over several decades, and its sustainability requires a new development paradigm to harmonise the social challenges and requirements.
The study has resulted in several recommendations.
It includes the development of proficient practices and policies to increase productivity in both the public and private sectors being the income-generating source and essential for generating savings and increase the state resources.
The objective is also to strengthen the culture of the society towards productivity and accept it as the key factor in improving the standard of living.
Following extensive discussions, the Council approved the proposal, leading to the formation of a Technical Drafting Committee to include the opinions of the members.
The Council will hold its 15th ordinary session today to discuss the proposal of the Committee of Culture, Information and Tourism on the ‘Advertising Regulation’, and discuss the proposal ‘Development of training in Education system’ submitted by the Committee of Education and Research.