19/11/2025
Share:
19/11/2025
Share:
Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to Kuwait Dr. Saleh Al-Kharousi
KUWAIT CITY, Nov 19: Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to Kuwait Dr. Saleh Al-Kharousi stated that the relationship between Oman and Kuwait is deeprooted, fraternal and constantly evolving, based on strong social ties and growing economic interests, and guided by the wise directives of the leaders of both countries, pointing out that 2025 witnessed several milestones in the development of relations between the two nations. In a press conference on the occasion of the National Day of the Sultanate, Al-Kharousi said His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah headed a high-level delegation that visited Oman on Oct 14, during which he met with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq. “During the visit, they discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations and exchanged ideas and perspectives on the most important regional and international issues.
On Aug 11, His Highness met with Minister of Interior Hamoud bin Faisal Al-Busaidi, who conveyed to him the message of Sultan Haitham bin Tariq. The two countries held the fourth virtual meeting between senior officials from their respective foreign ministries on May 18. These officials deliberated on topics related to the Omani-Kuwaiti Joint Committee. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Competition Protection and Prevention of Monopolistic Practices took effect by virtue of the Amiri Decree issued on July 28, 2025, as well as the MoU on Consumer Protection as per the Amiri Decree issued on Aug 31.
The two countries also signed several agreements in 2023 and 2024,” he disclosed. Al-Kharousi confirmed that Kuwait is among the most important investing countries in the Sultanate, with the value of its investments reaching around $1.362 billion in 2025, placing it first among Gulf and Arab countries, and third globally after the United Kingdom and the United States of America. He discussed the strategic cooperation projects, affirming the success of Duqm Refinery operated by Kuwait Petroleum International (KPI) and Oman’s OQ Group, in passing the lenders' reliability test, enabling it to benefit from guarantees exceeding $4 billion. He said the refinery has had exceptional performance, exceeding its design capacity, with production increasing from 23,000 to 25,500 barrels per day, and exporting more than 410,000 tons of products to global markets
He cited the signing of maintenance contracts for several Kuwaiti oil tankers with Drydock Company in the Duqm Special Economic Zone in early 2025, the marketing campaign launched by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism in Kuwait in January 2025 under the slogan “Oman: A Destination of Beauty,” and statistics from the National Center for Statistics and Information, which showed that the number of Kuwaiti visitors reached 33,154 by the end of September and this number is expected to reach about 50,000 by the end of the year. Asked if this figure is lower than the level of relations between the two countries, he clarified that figures are preliminary, not final.
He affirmed the increase in the number of direct flights between the two countries since last October, including the Kuwait-Salalah flights that increased from seven to 14 per week in autumn via Kuwait Airways and Jazeera Airways. He said the Sultanate provides all facilities for tourists, including electronic or visas upon arrival, with fees not exceeding KD10. About tourist visas, he asserted that “Oman’s skies are open to everyone,” confirming that more than 100 nationalities can enter the Sultanate without a visa. On the cultural front, he confirmed that Oman was chosen as the guest of honor at the 48th Kuwait International Book Fair, which will run from Nov 19 to 29, where Omani cultural and heritage achievements will be highlighted, in addition to celebrating His Excellency Mohammad bin Zubair bin Ali, the former Minister and Advisor, as the fair’s cultural figure.
On food security, he stated that Omani exports to Kuwait continue and there are agreements regarding aquaculture projects. He expects a remarkable increase in trade after the operation of the railway link between Abu Dhabi and the Omani port of Sohar, which will later be connected to the Gulf network and extend to Kuwait. He stressed that this will reduce transportation costs compared to sea and air transport.
He said Oman is interested in clean energy projects, such as green hydrogen, green ammonia, and green iron, citing the industrial cooperation opportunities between the two countries, including the Karwa car manufacturing plant and mining sector projects. Regarding the assessment of political cooperation on regional and international issues, he stated that the two countries show “clear harmony” in their positions on Arab issues, foremost among them is the Palestinian cause. He added that coordination between the two sides takes place at the leadership level, through the joint Omani-Kuwaiti Committee, and in ministerial meetings. He said the Omani and Kuwaiti delegations to international organizations consult each other continuously, reflecting the alignment of the two countries’ political approaches to mediation and support for just causes.
Regarding the upcoming visits, he indicated that a meeting of defense ministers within the framework of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) will be held before the end of the year. He said Kuwait, which is chairing the 45th session of the Council, has so far hosted more than 200 meetings this year involving ministers and senior officials. He added the presidency will be passed to Bahrain in December.
He revealed the trade exchange witnessed remarkable growth, as it reached about $5 billion in 2024, an increase of 120 percent over the previous year, doubling the volume of trade exchange in the last five years, while the volume of trade in the first half of 2025 reached about $2.3 billion, adding that the indicators for the second half will be issued at the beginning of 2026. Furthermore, Secretary General of the National Museum of Oman Eng. Jamal bin Hassan Al-Mousawi will participate in the 30th cultural season of the Dar Al-Athar Al-Islamiyyah (House of Islamic Antiquities). He will deliver a lecture on Nov 24 entitled, “The Social Dimension of the Museum Narrative Plan.”
Al-Mousawi said the Kuwaiti Ministry of Information, represented by the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL), participated in the Muscat International Book Fair from April 23 to May 3. He added the Kuwaiti Writers Association also participated, marking its first international participation since its founding in the 1960s. He pointed out that the two countries have participated in reciprocal theater festivals. “The Kuwaiti Artists and Media Professionals Syndicate participated in an art symposium in Salalah from August 20-24, 2025. The Omani Ministry of Heritage and Tourism hosted a number of Kuwaiti media professionals and journalists on tours within the Dhofar Governorate, while coordination is ongoing to host new groups soon,” he added.
By Fares Ghaleb Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff
