Oman Roundup: First satellite launched, ties with South Korea, copper project

Big turnout at Oman's pavilion in Algiers International Book Fair

Oman's pavilion at the 27th Algiers International Book Fair has attracted significant interest from Algerian visitors, who are eager to learn about Omani culture and literature. The Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs is showcasing around 80 titles, including 43 for sale and 41 for display, authored by Grand Mufti Sheikh Ahmed bin Hamad Al Khalili, as well as publications from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth. The pavilion features works on Oman's history, architecture, jurisprudence, arts, and Arab-Islamic philosophy. The fair runs until November 16, 2024, Times of Oman reports.

Construction begins at Oman's largest integrated copper concentrate project

Construction has commenced on the Mazoon Copper Project in Yanqul, marking it as Oman’s largest integrated copper concentrate production initiative. This project is a key component of the country's economic diversification strategy, spearheaded by Minerals Development Oman (MDO) and its subsidiary Mazoon Mining, as reported by Mining Magazine.

Oman launches its first satellite into space

Omani space startup Oman Lens has successfully launched the country's first advanced satellite, OL-1, designed for urban planning, forestry monitoring, and disaster management. Launched by CAS Space from the Gobi Desert, OL-1 features artificial intelligence for remote sensing and earth observation. According to Arab News, the satellite will provide high-resolution images and data at increased speeds, supporting Oman’s Vision 2040 economic diversification goals. This initiative is a collaboration between the Omani government and China's Star Vision, with plans for a constellation of satellites in the coming years.

New impetus for relations between Oman and South Korea

Over the past fifty years, political and economic relations between Oman and South Korea have grown significantly, marked by numerous official visits and positive developments. During the recent celebration of the Korean Embassy in Muscat, Ambassador Kiejoo Kim highlighted the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations as a turning point. This partnership is built on political, defence, and security cooperation, enhancing peace and prosperity. Both countries work closely to maintain regional and international peace, particularly in maritime security, with Korea appreciating Oman's support for its naval unit, Zawya reports.

Equinix opens new Salalah data centre

Equinix has opened a new data centre, SN1, in Salalah, Oman, marking a significant interconnectivity hub that aims to transform global data flows. Built in collaboration with Omantel, the state-of-the-art facility is Equinix's second carrier-neutral data centre in Oman and its sixth in the Middle East. SN1 enhances connectivity across four continents, reducing latency and increasing resilience in global networks. It features direct fibre links to Equinix's existing facilities in Muscat, supporting carriers and cloud service providers. This development is part of Omantel's strategy to attract global content providers and further establishes Salalah as a key connectivity hub, Tech Africa News reports.