Increase in work permits fees will negatively affect the local economy: OCCI Chairman By: Times News Service Muscat: The decision to raise fees for work permits of expatriates by the Ministry of Labour will negatively hurt the local economy, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said. A statement issued online by Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), said: "His Excellency Mr Ridha Al Saleh, Chairman of the Chamber's Board of Directors, affirms that in light of the ongoing Corona pandemic, the decision to increase and renew work permits fees will negatively affect local economic activity. Business owners will incur great losses and this situation may cause consumer concern in terms of high costs of goods and services."