Safety: forget the problems that exist elsewhere in the region – Oman remains completely insulated against the problems that have afflicted Israel, Lebanon, Iraq and to a lesser extent neighbouring Saudi Arabia. Crime here is very low; meaning the greatest threat to safety is posed by the often unforgiving terrain. It therefore pays to take extra precautions when travelling in desert areas, particularly for those with little experience, as human habitation, and therefore help, is often in short supply. For the other half of the year, the capital is warm but not overly so; meaning that December and January in particular are pleasant times to visit. In the south, temperatures are more stable although the area around Salalah sees rain from June to September, when the scenery turns distinctly green making it a good time to escape the north. Money: the Omani rial is the official currency and is sub-divided into 1,000 baisa. The largest denomination currently available is the 50-rial note. Language: Arabic is the language of choice here but English is not too far behind and all signs are written in both scripts. This is partly due to a strong British influence in the country during the 19th and 20th centuries as well as the increasing prominence of English as a business language. Swahili is the largest minority language spoken in Oman following the country’s close ties to Zanzibar. Other minority dialects are also spoken in the south. Emergency services: 999
Medical Services: 603998
Arabian Automobile Assistance: 24697800 Recommended hospitals:
Muscat – Royal Hospital (968) 24599461
Sohar – Sohar Hospital (968) 26840399
Nizwa – Nizwa Hospital (968) 25449361
Salalah – Sultan Qaboos Hospital (968) 23211151 By Middle Eastern standards, Oman is a safe and stable place to invest and conduct business with Muscat the undoubted centre of economic activity in the country. Recent years have seen the capital begin to market itself as a luxury destination that appeals to business travellers and there are an ever-growing number of four- and five-star hotels to choose from, many with a full range of business facilities. Typical business hours:
- Government departments: 07:30 to 14:30, Saturday to Wednesday. Sometimes half-day on Thursday.
- Retail: 08:30 to 13:00 and 16:00 to 19:00, Saturday to Wednesday. Thursday half-day. All businesses are closed on Friday.
- Banking: 08:00 to 13:30, Sunday to Wednesday. 08:00 to 11:30 on Thursday.
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