Sultan Qaboos discusses with Uzbek president ways to further bilateral relations, international developments

Oman, Uzbekistan discuss investment opportunities, developing economic ties, establishment of joint economic partnership council

Omani minister of higher education tables working paper to develop scientific research at Japan forum

Oman, Yemen consider means to upgrade trade, implementing joint ventures

His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said of Oman and President Islam Karimov of the Republic of Uzbekistan held a session of official talks at Al Alam Palace in Muscat.

A Joint Communiqué was issued at the conclusion of Uzbekistan President Islam Karimov’s visit to the Sultanate on Monday.

The following is full text of the Communiqué:

His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said has received at the capital Muscat President Islam Karimov of Uzbekistan who paid a state visit to the Sultanate on October 4.

During the meeting, official talks were held between the two sides in an atmosphere dominated by spirit of cooperation and understanding. The talks focused on growing political, economic, trade, scientific and cultural relations and future prospectus were reviewed. Promotion of joint investments and activation of the trade exchange between the two countries to serve joint interests of both countries and its people were also explored. The two sides expressed their satisfaction with the progress made in these relations.

The two sides have also exchanged opinions on regional and international issues of mutual interest that are based on principles of respect, non-intervention in others’ internal affairs according to the national and international laws and conventions. They also called for establishing pillars of peace and settlement of the regional and international issues peacefully.

The two sides stressed the importance of consolidating economic and investment cooperation, encouraging the private sector in both countries to interact with these endeavors and activation of agreements signed by the two countries in this respect to raising volume of trade exchange between them.

The two sides have also emphasized their constructive efforts to maintain their historical and civilization legacy in line with their religious, cultural, historical and Islamic values.

The two sides have affirmed their keenness to activate ties of joint cooperation that serve the two countries. The Omani side expressed its desire to open its embassy in Tashkent. The Uzbek side welcomed this move and also expressed its desire to open the embassy of Uzbekistan in Muscat soon.

Sultan Qaboos and Uzbek President Karimov held another round of talks at Bait Al Barakah on Monday.

The talks covered bilateral relations and ways to enhance them and also issues of importance in the international fora.

The Uzbek president thanked His Majesty for the warm hospitality and invited His Majesty to visit Uzbekistan. HM accepted Karimov’s invitation. The date of the visit will be fixed later.

His Majesty hosted a luncheon at Bait Al Barakah in honor of the Uzbek president and his delegation.

The talks were attended by Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs HE Yourself Bin Alawi Bin Abdullah, National Economy Minister and Supervisor of the Finance Ministry HE Ahmed Bin Abdulnabi Macki, Commerce and Industry Minister (Head of the Mission of Honor accompanying the president) HE Maqbool Bin Ali Bin Sultan and members of the official delegation accompanying Karimov. During Karimov’s two-day visit, the Sultanate and Uzbekistan signed six agreements and nine Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in economic, joint investment, tourism, higher education, scientific research, cultural cooperation, air transportation services, energy and petrochemical fields.

A joint communiqué was also issued, according to which, the discussions focused on increasing political, economic, trade, scientific and cultural relations and while reviewing future prospects. Promotion of joint investments and activation of the trade exchange between the two countries to serve joint interests of both friendly countries and peoples were also explored. The two sides expressed their satisfaction with the progress made in these relations.

The Uzbek president and his accompanying delegation later in the afternoon left the Sultanate after the two-day visit.

The Uzbek president was seen off at the Royal Airport by Alawi, Maqbool, the Sultanate’s accredited ambassador to Pakistan and non-resident accredited ambassador to Uzbekistan HE Mohammed Bin Said Bin Mohammed Al Lawati.

Karimov during his visit to the Sultanate was accompanied by an official delegation comprising First Deputy of the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Rustam Azimov, Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Norov, Minister of Foreign Economic Affairs and Investment and Trade Elyor Ganiev, Ambassador of Uzbekistan to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Alisher Kadyrov, Executive Director of the Fund of Reconstruction and Development of the Republic of Uzbekistan Ravshan Gulyamov, Chief of the Administration of the President Zelimkhan Khaydarov, Counselor and Chief of Protocol of the President Shukhrat Tadjiev, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Anvar Salikhbaev and Chairman of the State Tax Committee Botirjon Parpiev.

President Karimov thanked His Majesty the Sultan for the warm hospitality. He invited His Majesty the Sultan to visit Uzbekistan which His Majesty the Sultan has accepted. It will be fixed later through the diplomatic channels.

Karimov’s visit reiterated the desire of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos’s government to expand the cooperation with various countries in the world and the desire of both countries to strengthen the bilateral cooperation on political, economic cultural and social fronts.

The talks between His Majesty the Sultan and Uzbek President Islam Karimov gave new political, economic and cultural dimension to the existing bilateral relations between the two countries. The decision of the talks will decide the future course of relations between the Sultanate and Uzbekistan.

The relations between the two countries has assumed larger momentum in 2008 and 2009 through the visits of the officials from both countries and signing of several agreements for promoting investment in public and private sectors. Two agreements signed in Tashkent opened up new vistas of cooperation in joint trade and investment.

This was followed by the formation of businessmen council in both countries.

The diplomatic relations between Oman and Uzbekistan which started on April 24 in 1992 has improved significantly in recent times, despite the geographical distance between the two countries. The bilateral trade between the two countries increased seven times from January to June in 2009 compared to the corresponding period in 2008. The exports include services of transport, communication and travel.

Uzbekistan is a multi-national country and over 100 nations and ethnic groups live there. Religion confessions are represented by Muslims 80 per cent (mainly by Sunnites), Christian Orthodox believers 9 per cent and others 3 per cent (Jews, Buddhists, Catholics, Protestants and others).

Uzbekistan is democratic republic with Presidential form of administration. The form of state system is Unitary State.

Uzbekistan is a country with a great history. Such powerful states as Baktria, Sogdiana, Khorezm and Kushan Empire have been created and prospered there. Modern Uzbekistan, being one of the leading industrial states in the Central Asian region, is currently ensuring stability and promoting economic development of the region as a whole.

The Sultanate and Uzbekistan signed six agreements and nine Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in economic, joint investment, tourism, higher education, scientific research, cultural cooperation, air transportation services, energy and petrochemical fields at Al Alam Palace Guest House on Monday.

The agreements executed come within the context of the current visit of President Islam Karimov of Uzbekistan to the Sultanate.

The agreement included on the basis of cooperation and relations between the Sultanate and Uzbekistan, the agreement to establish a joint investment fund between the State Public Reserve Fund and the Construction and Development Fund in Uzbekistan with $500 million licensed capital and $100 million underwritten capital. While the State Public Reserve Fund will own 75 per cent of the fund, which will be based in Tashkent, the Uzbek side will own the remaining part of it.

The agreements were signed on behalf of the Sultanate by HE Ahmed Bin Abdulnabi Macki, Minister of National Economy and Deputy Chairman of the Financial Affairs and Energy Resources Council and Rustam Azimov, First Deputy of the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance signed for the Uzbek side.

The two sides also signed a funding agreement by which the Sultanate’s government will finance the construction of the library of the Oriental Studies Institute ‘Abu Alraihan Al Bairuni’ affiliated to Sciences Academy in Tashkent. The governments of the two countries also signed a MoU in the field of higher education and scientific research. The agreements and the MoU were signed by Macki on behalf of the Sultanate government and Vladimir Norov, Minister of Foreign Affairs on behalf of the Uzbek side.

Abu Alraihan Albairuni Library includes 26,000 manuscripts and documents, 85,000 messages, most of them in Turkish, Uzbek and Farsi language, as wells as, 10,000 manuscripts in Arabic language of which most of these rare books that date back to the 17th and 18th century. UNESCO listed these books in the World Heritage List as there are no similar copies of them in the world.

The agreements and MoUs signed between the Sultanate and Uzbek government included the commercial and economic cooperation agreement, an MoU for cooperation between the National Economy Ministry and the Foreign Economic Affairs, Investment and Trade Ministry of Uzbekistan, a draft MoU for food security cooperation in the economic zone ‘Away’ between Oman Investment Fund and the Foreign Economic Affairs, Investment and Trade Ministry in Uzbekistan, an MoU for cooperation in building a cement plant in Uzbekistan between Oman Investment Fund and the Foreign Economic Affairs, Investment and Trade Ministry in Uzbekistan and Uzbek Oil and Gas company.

The agreements were signed by Macki and Elyor Ganiev, Minister of Foreign Economic Affairs, Investment and Trade of Uzbekistan.

The two countries also signed an additional annex to amend the agreement of avoidance of double taxation and anti-tax evasion related to income tax. The two countries also signed a draft MoU between the Finance Ministry and State Tax Committee of Uzbekistan. The draft MoU was signed by Macki while Botirjon Parpiev, Chairman of the State Tax Committee signed for the Uzbek side.

The two countries also signed an agreement and three MoUs between Oman Oil Company and Uzbek Oil and Gas Company. While the agreement is related to bilateral cooperation, the first MoU covers cooperation in the production of polyethylene and the second MoU relates to studying the possibility of investing in petrochemicals in Uzbekistan while the third MoU is related to the production of polyethylene chloride.

The agreements and the MoUs were signed by HE Maqbool Bin Ali Bin Sultan, Minister of Commerce and Industry and Chairman of Oman Oil Company on behalf of Oman Oil Company and first deputy chairman of Uzbek Oil and Gas Company and Chairman of the Joint Investment Company on behalf of the Uzbek side.

The two sides signed a draft MoU on regularizing air transport services between the two countries. The MoU was signed by HE Dr Khamis Bin Mubarak Al Alawi, Minister of Transport and Communications, on behalf of the Omani side while Vladimir Norov, Minister of Foreign Affairs signed on behalf of the Uzbek side.

The MoU signed included an agreement on cooperation in tourism field. The agreement was signed by Her Excellency Dr Rajha Bint Abdulameer Bin Ali, Minister of Tourism, on behalf of the Omani side while Elyor Ganiev, Minister of Foreign Economic Affairs, Investment and Trade signed on behalf of the Uzbek side.

Macki said the agreements signed come as a translation for the desire of the two governments to achieve joint economic and investment cooperation. A joint committee between the two countries has been formed to follow up and implement the clauses agreed upon in these agreements and MoUs. The Omani side at the committee is chaired by the national economy minister.

The talks held between His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said and President Islam Karimov of Uzbekistan on Sunday have shown the close views and keenness to activate the bilateral cooperation through opening two embassies in Muscat and Tashkent to care for the joint interests, he added.

Macki also said that the Sultanate has good experience in foreign investment through the State General Reserve Fund, Oman Investment Fund and Oman Oil Company.

“Having investment ventures in Uzbekistan has many incentives as the country is located in the heart of Central Asia and is witnessing rapid economic growth. Moreover, it has abundant natural resources such as oil, gas, agricultural resources and human resources,” he said.

“Both the Sultanate and Uzbekistan enjoy political stability, security, distinguished geographic location and encourage investment,” he added.

On his turn, Ahmed Bin Salim Al Wahaibi, CEO of Oman Oil Company, said the company will activate the agreements that have been executed especially by the company that has experience in studying the feasibility of oil and gas ventures it will invest in.

He also said that Uzbekistan has oil resources that are part of the industries in which Oman Oil Company can invest such as polyethylene, propylene, oil and gas pipelines and other petrochemical industries.

The signing of the agreements and MoUs was attended by a number of senior officials at the Finance Ministry, National Economy Ministry, Oman Oil Company, State General Reserve Fund, Oman Investment Fund and HE Mohammed Bin Said Bin Mohammed Al Lawati, the Sultanate’s Accredited Ambassador to Pakistan, Accredited and Non-Resident Ambassador to Uzbekistan.

Karimov visited the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in the Wilayat of Bausher on Monday.

During the visit, Karimov was accompanied by HE Maqbool Bin Ali Bin Sultan, Minister of Commerce and Industry (Head of the Mission of Honor accompanying the President).

During the visit, Karimov was briefed on the mosque’s history, its stages of building, its distinguished Omani and Islamic architectural arts and its role as an outstanding Islamic landmark.

The Uzbek guest also familiarized himself with the mosque’s utilities that serve the society. He also toured the lectures hall and the library.

Islam Karimov and his delegation also visited the Sultan’s Armed Forces (SAF) Museum on Monday. He was accompanied by Maqbool.

Karimov and his delegation were received upon their arrival at the museum by Maj. Gen. Said Bin Nasser Al Salmi, Commander of the Royal Army of Oman (RAO), Brigadier Adel Bin Ahmed Al Ruba’ei, Chairman of Military Protocols and Public Relations at the Cosaf and SAF Director where a group of the guard of honor performed military salute to the president.

The Uzbek president and his delegation toured the museum’s various sections during which they were briefed on Bait Al Falaj Castle and the progress enjoyed by the SAF. The president also viewed models of the architectural design of the Bait Al Falaj Castle, its towers and fortifications, in addition to, manuscripts, models and historical weapons that depict Oman’s ancient history and military progress enjoyed by SAF under the prosperous reign of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

Later, Karimov signed the visitor’s book expressing his delight of the beauty of the building, the civilized heritage and aspects of progress and development in the Sultanate.

Meanwhile, Her Excellency Dr. Rawiyah Bint Saud Al Busaidiyah, Omani Minister of Higher Education, left for Japan on Saturday to take part in the Sixth Annual Forum of Science and Technology in Society 2009 (STS), hosted on October 4-6 in Kyoto, Japan.

On the first day of the conference, Rawiyah took part in managing a roundtable debate of the ministers responsible for science, technology, higher education and scientific research, held on the sidelines of the forum under the title ‘The role of science and technology in light of the current economic condition.’

STS forum is being held annually in city of Kyoto, Japan, since 2004. It aims at showcasing the latest researches in the field of science and technology, the latest means to tackle the dangers of new technological innovations on society.

A number of the world’s prominent figures in the field of science and technology from the public and private sectors are taking part in this forum.

On the other hand, minutes of the official talks session held between the Sultanate and Yemen on Tuesday was signed at the Salalah Crowne Plaza Resort on Wednesday.

HE Maqbool Bin Ali Bin Sultan, Minister of Commerce and Industry, signed the minutes on behalf of the Omani side, and Dr Yahya Bin Yahya Al Mutawakil, Minister of Industry and Trade of Yemen.

Following the signing ceremony, Maqbool said that a number of issues had been discussed, including promotion of trade exchange between the two countries, through ‘Al Mazyounah’ and ‘Shahan’ land outlets, expansion of the Free Zone at Al Mazyounah, as well as, setting up joint ventures there.

“The talks session also explored cooperation in other fields, such as, food security, issues pertaining to the World Trade Organization (WTO), global economic forums, standardization and specifications, easing inter-trade for national commodities.

It also focused on streamlining entry of goods without customs charges, since the Sultanate and Yemen are members of the Greater Arab Free Trade Zone”, he said.

Maqbool pointed out to the huge trade potentials between the two countries and the joint investments between the Omani and Yemeni private sectors.

“There is a joint ministerial committee chaired by the transport ministers of both countries which is playing a greater role,” the minister said. “The trade and industry ministers’ and the Omani-Yemeni Business Council’s meetings are complementary to the joint committee’s meetings,” he added.

The minister stated that while attending part of the Business Council’s meeting, he and his Yemeni counterpart were briefed on the requirements, remarks and recommendations of businessmen in both countries regarding promotion of inter-trade and the government and the private sector role. He highlighted the private sector’s important role in both countries, being the major booster of the economy, which should therefore play a bigger role in promoting these ties, undertaking joint projects and increasing volume of trade between the two countries, the national products, in particular.

Yahya Al Mutawakil expressed his delight for visiting the Sultanate. He also said talks discussed activating new mechanisms to serve joint action particularly forming a trade committee led by the Omani Commerce and Industry Ministry’s undersecretary and the Yemeni Industry and Commerce Ministry’s undersecretary. The committee deals with eliminating obstacles facing businessmen. Bi-annual meetings will be held in Muscat and Sana’a by turns.

The Yemeni minister visited the Al Mazyounah Free Zone during which he inspected land outlets, the Oman’s Al Mazyounah Outlet and the Yemen’s Shahan Outlet. He also viewed the location specified by the Yemeni government to establish the economic zone in Shahan.

HE Eng. Ahmed Bin Hassan Al Dheeb, Undersecretary for Commerce and Industry at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, officials at the ministry, whereas, from the Yemeni side it was attended by HE Abdulrahman Khamis Obaid, Yemeni Ambassador to the Sultanate and the delegation accompanying the Yemeni minister.