Two major regulations for strengthening the industrial base — the new foreign direct investment (FDI) and the mining laws — are expected to prop up foreign investment into the country. Both laws, which are much awaited by the business community, are now with the Ministry of Legal Affairs for final vetting before announcement, according to Ahmed bin Hassan Al Dheeb, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. In fact, Oman government has identified five sectors, including mining, for attracting investment for diversification programme in the Ninth Five-Year Plan period at a time when oil prices are declining. (Times of Oman)