Oman

Oman completed talks on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US in October, making it the fifth Middle Eastern country and second Gulf state to agree such a deal with Washington.... 2005-11-01

BMI View: We expect real growth to average 3.5% over the forecast period. In contrast to the government's typically cautious fiscal outlook, which forecasts a budget deficit of US$1.4bn... 2005-09-13

Though Oman's economy is comparatively less dependent on oil than its neighbouring Gulf states, the sultanate has still felt the impact of the healthy price climate this year and... 2005-09-07

The case of 31 Ibadi rebels who were convicted of a coup attempt earlier this year continues to throw up questions about the sultanate's political stability. Sultan Qaboos Bin Said... 2005-09-07

We expect real GDP growth of at least 3.3% this year, 3.8% in 2006 and 4.4% in 2007. Although oil output will remain in decline through 2006, this year's high oil prices mean nominal... 2005-07-12

Thirty-one Islamists, sentenced to prison in May for their part in an alleged plot, were pardoned by the sultan in June.

In June, the sultan pardoned 31 Islamists who had been convicted in May of conspiring to overthrow the government. This sends out a mixed message about the sultanate's counterterrorism... 2005-07-04

Several suspected militants were arrested in January, and the Oman News Agency quoted the interior minister as saying the men had tried 'to form an organisation to harm national security'.... 2005-03-11

Authorities arrested several suspected militants in January, reportedly on suspicion that the men were planning attacks during the Eid al-Adha festival. Estimates of the numbers arrested... 2005-03-04

The Saudi foreign minister has criticised Gulf countries negotiating bilateral trade deals with outside powers. BMI View: By arguing that bilateral deals contravene the GCC's common... 2005-01-12