Oman has crossed the 42nd year in the process of its Renaissance to reflect a world full of renewed aspirations after they were mere dreams in the early seventies.
The aspirations of that decade are radically different from the aspirations of future generations, along with the aspirations of maintaining the respect that it has earned around the world.
The milestone point in July this year is that Oman has changed from a developing country to an economic country.
We are no longer talking about the dreams of the past that have been realised and is there for all to see.
But we need to realise another important dream in the next phase at an accelerated pace and that has to be kept in our mind every moment.
We need to emphasise the economic outlook that can be the core for development in the coming years.
This dream has to be realised in a more determined and planned way and cannot be achieved by mere aspirations and dreams like in the seventies.
It can come true by skilful planning that can determine the objectives to be achieved accurately.
The principle element required for the success of this plan is the citizen. I mean here the educated citizen who is dedicated in the pursuit of renewed scientific knowledge, and who is responsible for the choices he makes, the citizen who is determined to achieve his ambitions regardless of difficult circumstances.
The country needs the open-minded citizens who recognises the realities of the events experienced not only in Oman but the whole world in general.
We need our people to face the world in an open-minded manner as far as knowledge and information is concerned. We should reasearch and track the facts before we can talk of what we have achieved in reality. What is the use of telling fairy tales and fantasy stories.
The country needs productive personalities who can project the interests of the country and its citizens on the top of his agenda.
The country needs people who are keen to accomplish the transactions of people in a speedy way, not the one who never sits at his office or the one who is always absent from work.
The country needs citizens who can add a value for his country depending on his education and experience.
On the other hand, the citizen needs something back from the country.
He needs the country to be more open economically and to provide opportunities for young people to take over difficult positions, project management and building the future generations.
Our citizens need fair labour legislation that can give them their rights so that they can help in building a firm foundation for his future and that of his children.
The citizens need all the support they can get for social and economic justice, apart from transparency and future planning.
The citizen needs more simplified procedures as far as the bureaucracy is concerned, without any complications. He needs to communicate with the decision-maker at the ministry, without barriers or unnecessary appointments. He needs the opportunity to receive an adequate education to push him forward.