[Oman-L] Oman to hold census in 2010

[Joachim Duester]

Source: Khaleej Times, 27 May 2008

Oman's third census in 2010 will be fully in
accordance with recommendations of the United Nations
and within the framework of a decision taken by the
GCC summit in Muscat in December 2001 to hold the
head-count simultaneously by the six member states of
the bloc.

It will also incorporate lessons learnt from the past
two censuses in 1993 and 2003, Development Affairs
Under-Secretary at the Ministry of National Economy
Shaikh Al Fadhl bin Mohammed Al Harthy said.

He added that the 2003 census was ‘successful and
accurate’ as testified by experts and observers. “As
proof of the success, many countries requested to
review the Sultanate’s experience while preparing for
their national censuses,” he observed.

Shaikh Al Fadhl was speaking at the opening of a
four-day conference here on Sunday to launch the 2010
census campaign that was presided over by Sayyid
Hamoud bin Faisal Al Busaidi, Environment and Climate
Affairs Minister. The under-secretary said the
exercise would be conducted after analysing the
outcome of past censuses held by Oman and other GCC
countries. A foolproof methodology would be developed
to ensure that it was “one of the best in the world,”
he added.

Earlier, National Economy Minister Ahmed bin Abdulnabi
Macki, addressing the gathering, including several
ministers and other dignitaries, said the Sultanate
would considerably benefit from suggestions by leading
international experts and organisations in the field.

Ali bin Mahboub bin Hassan, Director-General of Social
Statistics at the National Economy Ministry, said the
Sultanate was “determined to avail of all the required
resources to implement the 2010 census.”

He also recalled that Oman, for the first time in the
world, had introduced several novel tools and
methodologies during the 2003 head-count.