Sultan Qaboos receives message from Russian president

Steps to strengthen cooperation between Oman, European countries

MoU between Omani, Yemeni parliaments

New projects in tourism sector, encouraging investments in SMEs

His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said of Oman has received a written message from Dmitry Medvedev, president of the Russian Federation, dealing with the relations between the two friendly countries and aspects of cooperation between them in various spheres.

The message was handed over by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov when he was given an audience by His Majesty at Bait Al Barakah.

The audience was attended by Yousuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, minister responsible for foreign affairs, and Sergey Ivanov, Russian ambassador to the Sultanate.

His Highness Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said, deputy prime minister for the Council of Ministers, received Bertrand Delanoe, mayor of Paris, who is currently on an official visit to the Sultanate.

Sayyid Fahd welcomed the guest and the delegation accompanying him, reviewed the march of the growing good relations between the two friendly countries and horizons of future cooperation, which were established on mutual trust.

During the meeting, the conversations were focused on relevant means to support and promote cooperation between the Sultanate of Oman and the French republic in a number of spheres.

Current issues at the international arena were also reviewed during the meeting.

The guest expressed his delight and that of his accompanying delegation to visit the Sultanate whose leadership is widely respected by the international community for the growth achieved at the domestic level and for its leading role with regard to its external relations, thanks to the wise vision of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said.

He underlined his country’s interest to enhance the strong relations with the Sultanate, which was crowned with the latest visit of President Nicolas Sarkozy to the Sultanate and its positive outcome in achieving interest of the two friendly countries.

The meeting was attended by Ahmed bin Nasser Al Mahrazi, the Sultanate’s ambassador to France and Malika Berak, French ambassador to the Sultanate.

Yousuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, minister responsible for foreign affairs, also received Bertrand Delanoe.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed relations between the two friendly countries in various spheres and ways of enhancing them.

They also exchanged opinions on regional and international issues of common concern.

The meeting was attended by Sayyid Jaifer bin Salim Al Said, head of West Europe Department; Ahmed bin Nasser Al Mahrazi, Sultanate’s ambassador to France; Malika Berak, French ambassador to the Sultanate; the delegation accompanying the guest and a number of officials from the Foreign Ministry.

l Ahmed bin Abdulnabi Macki, minister of national economy and deputy chairman of the Financial Affairs and Energy Resources Council, also received Bertrand Delanoe in his office.

During the meeting, both sides reviewed the economic and investment relations and means of boosting them between the two friendly countries.

Macki highlighted the importance of the visit of the Paris mayor to the Sultanate as it comes directly after the visit of French President Nicolas Sarkozy this month, which reflects the desire of both sides to enhance joint cooperation and investment between the two friendly countries.

During the meeting, Macki also pointed to the development plans and programs implemented by the Sultanate’s government within the current Five-Year Plan, which includes infrastructure, roads, and electricity, water, seaports and airports projects.

He also pointed out the importance of the French companies taking part at the projects implemented by the Sultanate’s government.

On his part, the Paris mayor expressed his country’s keenness to push forward the scopes of bilateral cooperation as the Sultanate enjoys a number of encouraging development, economic and investment ventures.

He also pointed out that after his return to his country, he would urge the French companies to come to the Sultanate and explore the available investment opportunities.

Ahmed bin Nasser Al Mahrazi and a number of officials at the finance and national economy ministries attended the meeting.

l Sayyid Al Muatassim bin Hamoud Al Busaidi, minister of state and governor of Muscat, also received in his office Bertrand Delanoe and his accompanying delegation.

During the meeting, the Paris mayor expressed his admiration of the economic development and construction boom witnessed by the Sultanate in general and Muscat governorate in particular.

He hailed the pioneering role persuaded by the Sultanate’s government under the wise leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said in pushing forward the development wheel in the country and establishing cooperation and friendship relations with other countries.

During the meeting, the two sides exchanged cordial conversation on the existing relations between the Sultanate and the French republic, as well as the tourism, historic and cultural potentials of Muscat governorate.

The meeting was also attended by Ahmed bin Nasser Al Mahrazi.

Eng. Sultan bin Hamdoun Al Harthy, chairman of Muscat Municipality, also received Bertrand Delanoe and his delegation.

The meeting discussed aspects of joint cooperation between the cities of Muscat and Paris in the field of municipal work especially in urban planning and benefiting from Paris expertise in this area.

The two sides also discussed sharing expertise and exchange of visits between officials of both cities in engineering fields, health affairs, cities developments, the possibility of organizing some recreational and cultural activities staged in Paris with the intention of incorporating them in Muscat Municipalities’ functions.

Meanwhile, Yemeni Prime Minister Ali Mujawar met with Chairman of Oman State Council Yahya bin Mahfoudh al-Manthri and the accompanying delegation.

In the meeting, the two officials discussed a number of issues in relevant with mutual relations between the two brotherly countries in fields of economy, trade and investment.

They also discussed activating mechanism of Omani-Yemeni Joint Committee in different fields. The discussion affirmed also on the vital role of the private sector in the two countries for expanding cooperation, trade exchange and setting up joint investment projects.

Mujawar highlighted mutual relations between the two countries and the continuous improvement in different fields. He asserted on great capabilities that would enhance joint work.

For his part, the Omani official highlighted Yemeni- Omani relations. He affirmed joint keenness on developing mechanisms of joint work for enhancing mutual cooperation in different fields.

The meeting dealt with integrated relations between the government and the Shoura Council and the important role of recommendations of the council toward many issues, service and development.

In Sana’a, Yemen and Oman held official talks in Sana'a co-chaired by the Chairman of Shoura Council Abdulaziz Abdul Ghandi and Omani state chairman Yahya al-Monthari.

During the talks, the two officials affirmed strength of the neighboring and brotherly Yemeni-Omani relationship under the leadership of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and Sultan of Oman Qaboos Bin Said Al-Said.

Abdul-Ghani highlighted position of Oman to support accession of Yemen into the several Gulf corporations, wishing Yemen to get the full membership in the GCC.

He pointed out to the coming meeting of the GCC foreign ministers in Muscat by the end of this month, praising assistance offered by Oman to help relief efforts of the Yemeni government in Hadramout, which was hit by flood last October, 2008.

He also indicated to the issues of terror and piracy, saying that the Yemen concerns with stability and security in Somalia as well.

Abdul-Ghani said that Yemen is working with the international community to combat terror that affects the security and economy of the world.

Regarding the Palestine, the chairman of Shoura council renewed stance of Yemen to support the Palestinian people and importance of unity of all Palestinian factions to face their enemy.

He pointed out to the Yemeni initiative to resume of the dialogue between all Palestinian factions under regional sponsorship.

For his part, the Omani official called on bodies in both countries to cooperate to enhance relations between the two countries, expressing happiness of Oman to see Yemen in several GCC institutions, voicing support of his country to access Yemen to the GCC.

The Omani official also said that Yemen and Oman have similar positions over issues of combating terror and piracy as well as Palestinian issue.

At the end of the talk, both sides signed a memorandum of understating of cooperation between the two councils.

Sheikh Abdullah Bin Salim Al Rowas, Minister of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources, received Dr Thomas Bach, President of the German Chamber of Commerce and Dr Abdulaziz Al Mekhlafi, Secretary-General of the Arab-German Chamber of Commerce and their delegation.

During the meeting, aspects of joint cooperation between the Sultanate and Germany and issues of concern were discussed.

Her Excellency Dr Rajha Bint Abdulameer Bin Ali, Minister of Tourism, received Thomas Bach and his delegation at her office.

The meeting discussed joint topics, as Rajha highlighted about the Sultanate’s various tourism constituents and the good reputation of the Sultanate allover the world thanks to peace and security which Oman is marked by.

The meeting also highlighted ways to promote bilateral relations and developing the economic and trade ties between the Sultanate and Germany.

HE Khalil Bin Abdullah Al Khonji, Chairman of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) also received Thomas Bach in the presence of a number of Omani businessmen and Abdulaziz Al Mekhlafi.

Al Khonji hailed the trade relations between the Sultanate and Germany.

He also stressed the necessity of intensifying mutual visits of trade delegations between the two countries to identify available investment opportunities via the two sides’ participation in exhibitions, conferences and other economic events.

‘Travel City’ and ‘Travel Point’, the new brand identities of Al Harthy Al Araimi Travel and Cargo, Abu Anwar Travel, Al Huzaily Travel and Tourism, were launched under the auspices of HE Mohammed Bin Hamood Al Toobi, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Tourism.

Dignitaries, including OCCI chairman HE Khalil Bin Abdullah Al Khonji, were among those who attended the launch ceremony held at Al Bustan Palace Hotel. The two companies will offer a comprehensive range of corporate travel services and a complete travel solution under one roof.

Travel City is an International Air Transport Association (IATA) approved passenger sales agent for all airlines. And it recently acquired two travel agencies- Al Huzaily Travels and Abu Anwar Travel to extend travel services to people in the interiors of Oman.

The company has 26 travel branches across the Sultanate. Travel Point represents other travel services such as international product franchises, leisure and hospitality products and travel solutions.

In her address, Budoor Mohammed Rashid Al Fannah Al Araimi, Managing Director, said: “We have established these two companies-‘Travel Point’ and ‘Travel City’ to keep pace with the development in the travel and tourism sector. We aim to integrate the services, abilities and resources of the recently acquired companies ‘Al Huzaily’, ‘Abu Anwar travels’ and ‘Al Harthy Al Araimi’, with offices covering most parts of the Sultanate. We will provide customers with a wide range of travel, tourism, cargo and car rental services.”

Sunil Prabhakar, General Manager, Travel Group, said: “With the recent acquisition of Al Huzaily Travels and Abu Anwar Travels along with its branches across the Sultanate, it became necessary to re-examine our identity. We now have 26 branches all over the Sultanate of Oman, and more diversified interests.”

Travel Point would bring value and high-end hospitality products to Oman. These include TourOman- in-bound tours, vacation-out-bound tours, ArabiaCars-Rent -A-Car service, Travel Solutions-Galileo the Global Distribution Solution for the travel industry, medical tourism and cargo.

NEM Cherubim, Commercial Director, said: “Al Harthy Al Araimi Travel and Cargo has seen a steady growth since inception and will continue to pursue the path of success under the new identity to provide customers a comprehensive range of travel related services.”

Al Harthy Al Araimi Travel and Cargo was established in 1989 with the merger of two travel trade business conglomerates in the Sultanate Al Araimi Group representing Galfar group of companies under the leadership of Sheikh Salim Said Al Fannah Al Araimi and late Mohammed Rashid Al Fannah Al Araimi and Sheikh Yaqoob Hamad Suleiman Al Harthy representing Mazoun Group of Companies, who are into diversified fields of business.

Long-term service awards were presented to five employees on the occasion-Kurian Punnoose (13 years of service), Sivan Guruchandran (15 years of service), Bedor Mohd’ Elamin (17 years of service), KP Anand (20 years of service) and NEM Cherubim (19 years of service).

The awards were presented by Managing Director Budoor Mohammed Rashid Al Fannah Al Araimi and Chairman Sheikh Salim Said Al Fannah Al Araimi.

The dual carriage Quriyat/ Sur road was opened under the auspices of Sayyid Harib Bin Thuwaini Al Said, Assistant Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers for Conference.

A number of ministers, members of Majlis A’Shura, State Council, undersecretaries, walis, sheikhs and dignitaries in the wilayat of Sur and Quriyat attended the opening ceremony.

Harib highlighted the importance of the project saying that it shortens the distance between the wilayats of Muscat governorate and Sharqiyah and facilitates movement of the residents in the villages and residential complexes alongside the road.

‘The new road has been designed with distinguished specifications and will have a positive impact on tourism, he added.

Speaking on the occasion, HE Eng. Salim Bin Mohammed Al Nuaimi, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Transport and Communications, delivered a speech where he said that the 90km road project includes seven bridges over the main wadis, with lengths totaling 1,500 meters and heights ranging between 10 to 41.5 meters as well as vehicle tunnels to serve the areas parallel to the road.

The inauguration ceremony included a number of traditional performances. Royal Air Force of Oman music band also played a number of songs.

Later, the chief guest unveiled a plaque, and HE Dr Khamis Bin Mubarak Al Alawi, Minister of Transport and Communications, presented memento to the chief guest.

Sayyid Hilal Bin Hamoud Al Busiadi, Wali of Sur said the project is one of the achievements made under the wise leaderships of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said.

Sayyid Ahmed Bin Hilal Al Busaidi, Wali of Quriyat said the project will have positive impact on social, economic and tourism activities and will shorten the distance between Muscat governorate and the wilayat of Sur.

The three-day Oman Travel Mart (OTM), the international travel and tourism event held at the Oman International Exhibition Centre attracted a large number of visitors on the concluding day.

Organized by Oman International Trade and Exhibitions (OITE), a leading organizer of major trade fairs in the country, the OTM presented a diverse range of destinations to locals, expatriates and international travelers. It had various exhibitors such as tourism promotion organizations, adventure and sports sector, business and incentives, tourism institutions and leisure centers, environment sector, transport and services, travel insurance and banking services, national and regional tourism offices, hotels and nature resorts, property and real estate, airlines, airport and cargo services, travel management services, museums and technology providers among others. OTM attracted international participation from various countries such as Malaysia, India, Thailand, Egypt and Turkey among others.

The Oman Air stall attracted a number of visitors. “We are impressed by the response to the Oman Air holiday packages,” Saud Al Busaidi, administrator-Oman Air Holidays told Oman Tribune.

“We are promoting various destinations this year including Khasab, Thailand, Egypt and Beirut. Oman Air is the only airline offering flight services to Khasab, he said.

“Oman Air’s limited period promotional fares to certain destinations also received good response from the visitors. We have had a number of bookings,” Humaid Salim Al Hashmi, sales executive, Oman Air, said. The Oman Air stall provided information on various destinations covered by the airline, the holiday packages, besides services such as e-ticketing service.

The stall put up by Al Hoota Cave also attracted a number of visitors. “A number of people were keen on visiting Al Hoota Cave and enquired about the timings and the facilities,” Sami Al Busaidi, a representative of the stall said.

Oman Travel Mart (OTM) began at Oman International Exhibition Centre highlighting the new trends in tourism industry which include property and investment tourism and medical tourism.

It also features tourism-related industry of travel technologies and tourism-related education.

HE Eng Sultan Bin Hamdoun Al Harthy, Chairman of Muscat Municipality, who inaugurated the mart, said the diverse business opportunities offered by OTM will lead to increased activity in tourism sector. He added that he is impressed with the mart.

HE Mohammed Bin Hamoud Al Toobi, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Tourism, said OTM has brought different tourism services under one roof which will help improve business.

The OTM features 75 companies from nine countries in Asia and Africa. Sadiq Ahmed Khan, director sales and marketing of Oman International Trade and Exhibitions (OITE), said the number of companies participating in the exhibition has increased this time compared to last year when only 57 companies participated. Thailand and Tunisia are participating in the fair for the first time, he said.

Apart from featuring possibilities of inbound tourism, OTM also displays opportunities for outbound tourism.

On opportunities in property and investment tourism, Ahmed Khan said over 20 hotels are proposed for construction in the Sultanate in next five years. The integrated tourism projects are expected to provide more employment opportunities.

Ahmed Saleh Baabood, chairman of OITE, said the increase in the number of participants shows the vibrancy of the travel and tourism industry despite the global economic downturn.

A participant BP Raj Kumar, general manager of Crystal Hotel Apartments owned by Al Fajr Development and Investment, said their first hotel Crystal Suites will be opened at Wadi Kabir in the first quarter of 2009.

Three more properties of the group are in the pipeline and the economic slowdown is not discouraging us, he said.

Officials of Oman Air said the company is working jointly with the Ministry of Tourism to promote tourism in Oman. Our ongoing campaign in the United Kingdom is a great success, they said.

J Manoj Dass, manager tours of Mezoon Travel, franchise of SriLankan Holidays of Sri Lankan Airlines, said they have launched a special tour package in connection with the exhibition.

Meanwhile, The Sultanate will go ahead with the implementation of a RO692-million ($1.8 billion) project in Duqm despite the global recession and forecasts of slump in oil revenues, according to HE Ahmed Bin Abdulnabi Macki, Minister of National Economy and Deputy Chairman of Financial Affairs and Energy Resource Council.

“The government expects a ‘reasonable growth’ in 2009 despite the global financial crisis”, Macki said in an interview.

“The government will implement several major development projects, which are now in different stages of completion. Moreover, we are going to use the surpluses accumulated from oil revenues, and if necessary state reserves, to complete these projects”, Macki added.

The Sultanate has already awarded RO220 million worth infrastructure projects this year. Efforts are also being made to diversify sources of national economy and reduce reliance on oil revenues, which account for 75 per cent of the revenues, he said.

The ambitious Duqm project includes construction of a new township that will serve as a new administrative, industrial and trade base for the Sultanate. The first phase of the project includes construction of the port and extension of the dry dock.

The second phase includes construction of an airport and expanded road network as well as a free industrial zone, Macki added.

“According to the preliminary estimates, oil revenues in the first 11 months of 2008 amounted to RO7.75 billion compared to RO5.8 billion in the corresponding period last year. This points out that the Sultanate has made considerable surplus that will allow it to continue implementation of the planned projects. The 2009 budget has been made on the assumption of oil price staying at $45 per barrel and any deficit will be sourced from the national reserves, he said.

In reply to a question on the progress of the Muscat airport expansion project, Macki said the aim is to boost the number of passengers, attracting more than 1.5 million tourists mostly from the Gulf region.

Efforts aimed at diversification of Omani economy has been paying rich dividends as is evident from the perceptible change in the structure of the sectoral contributions to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) and also from the sustained increase in its non-oil exports.

Oman’s non-oil exports rose 73.5 per cent to RO1.69 billion in the period January to October 2008 against RO975 million during the corresponding period in 2007.

The Directorate General of Export Development (DGED) of the Oman Centre for Investment Promotion and Export Development (Ociped) said in a report that Ociped had targeted RO1.2 billion non-oil exports in 2008.

That target, however, was exceeded in the first 10 months of 2008.

The report said that the export performance has been in line with the export strategy adopted by Ociped, which had identified specific ‘thrust products’ and ‘target markets’ for the period 2006-10.

According to Mehdi Ali Juma, director general of export development of Ociped, the organization has developed a ‘match-maker’ software by which exporters of thrust sector products will receive contact details of importers worldwide by e-mail on a daily basis from March 1.

The thrust sector exporters could also obtain the entire list of importers’ addresses by directly contacting DGED of Ociped.

Faris Al Farsi, director of export markets facilitation of Ociped, said that in 2008, the organization had taken many steps to market Omani products internationally. Ociped participated in the Seafood Show in Boston, US; conducted market study and organized match-making meetings in Sudan for Omani products as well as invited buyers from India, Iran and Sudan for buyer-seller meetings.

This year Ociped, in association with the Ministry of Fisheries, will participate in the International Boston Seafood Show next month and the European Seafood Exposition in Brussels, Belgium, in April.

Ociped expects to create inroads for fish exports from Oman into global markets in these shows, according to the report.

Aiman Ambusaidi, director of export development, Ociped said the organization constantly updates its export strategy and helps exporters cope with the demands of international markets.

He added that Ociped is bringing out an exporters directory and export brochure this year, which will be sent to chambers of commerce and importers worldwide.

They will also be distributed during exhibitions and trade missions.

Meanwhile, Mehdi Ali Juma pointed out that since 2003, there have been substantial gains in exports to the five target markets identified by Ociped.

He added that the DGED will undertake a market study in Libya to open up markets for thrust products identified by Ociped.