We, Qaboos bin Said, the Sultan of Oman
after perusal of the Basic Statute of the State issued by Royal Decree 101/96,
Royal Decree 65/98 Establishing a Council for Higher Education,
and Royal Decree 42/99 regarding the Establishment of Private Colleges and Higher Institutes,
and in pursuance of public interest,
have decreed as follows
Article I
Public and private higher education institutes may benefit from cadres with higher qualifications working in government units and the public and private sectors, after the approval of the relevant entities.
Article II
Sultan Qaboos University is hereby deemed as an advisory body for government units and the public and private sectors in social and development projects.
Article III
The government shall provide private higher education institutes with the appropriate and necessary lands for them, in accordance with the conditions and controls set by the Higher Education Council in coordination with the Ministry of Transport and Housing.
Article IV
The government shall grant private higher education institutes the equivalent of 50% of the paid-up capital of the institute, with a maximum of three million Rial Omani, in accordance with the conditions and controls set by the competent entity.
Article V
Private higher education institutes are hereby exempted from paying all taxes imposed on establishments and companies for a period of five years from the date of commencement of practising the activity.
The exemption may be renewed for another five years by a decision issued by the Financial Affairs and Energy Resources Council.
Article VI
Private higher education institutes are hereby exempted from paying the fees outlined below which are due to the following entities:
* Muscat Municipality/Regional Municipalities:
(a) Fees for the commercial signages of educational institutes for one time only.
(b) Fees for the information signages for two free sites only.
(c) Fees for issuing media bulletins.
(d) Fees for the renewal of building permits for educational buildings.
* Ministry of Transport and Housing:
(a) Land registration fees.
(b) Land mortgage fees.
* Ministry of Social Affairs, Labour, and Vocational Training:
– Fees for recruiting members of the academic faculty.
* Ministry of Commerce and Industry:
– Fees for registering and issuing renewals of commercial registration.
* Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry:
– Fees for issuing and renewing affiliation certificates for the membership of the chamber.
* Royal Oman Police:
(a) Fees for obtaining visas for members of the academic faculty.
(b) Fees for obtaining licences and renewing the mulkiya of vehicles, means of transportation, and equipment.
(c) Customs fees due on the scientific laboratory equipment imported by the educational institute.
Article VII
All that is contrary to this decree, or in conflict with its provisions, is hereby repealed.
Article VIII
This decree must be published in the Official Gazette, and comes into force on the date of its publication.
Issued on: 15 Rabi Al-Akhir 1421
Corresponding to: 17 July 2000
Qaboos bin Said
Sultan of Oman
Published in Official Gazette 676 issued on 1 August 2000.