Mohsin Haider Darwish (MHD) is planning to launch two new industrial ventures in Oman. [QQ]"We are considering setting up of two new industries. Preparations are at a preliminary stage now and by September the plans are likely to be finalised," says managing director Mohsin Haider Darwish.

Darwish says MHD is doing quite well. "We have started very well. However, it is too early to say how the year will be. It all depends on the oil prices and how many projects the government is going to release. But we are hopeful that certainly this year will be a better year. Last year was bad because of the poor oil prices."

"The private sector's growth still largely depends on the expenditure of the government. Every year the government increases expenditure by about 10 per cent. Our growth is linked directly to this. In Oman, we depend on the government spending a lot. If the government opens the tap, everybody benefits. If the government closes the tap, everyone suffers.''