Sultan of Oman concludes fruitful state visit to Kuwait

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KUWAIT CITY, May 14, (KUNA): The Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq and his accompanying delegation departed Kuwait on Tuesday following a state visit. His highness the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah saw off the Sultan of Oman and his accompanying delegation at the airport. He was also seen off by Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Saud Al-Sabah, Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Shareeda Al-Muasherji, and Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Oil Dr. Imad Al-Atiqi and several other state officials. Earlier, Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq and the accompanying delegation visited the Al-Salam Palace Museum on Tuesday. His Highness Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, head of the honorary delegation, accompanied Sultan Haitham during his visit. At the museum, the Sultan was received by Minister of the Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Al-Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah. During the tour of the museum, Sultan Haitham was shown historical artefacts and documents related to the history and culture of Kuwait, as well as the grand halls located in Al-Sala Palace where previous Kuwaiti Amirs frequented. At the end of the tour, Sultan Haitham inked the register of honor at the museum.

On Monday Kuwait and Oman hammered out four memoranda of understanding for furthering industrial, investment, economic and diplomatic cooperation. The memos were signed on the sidelines of the Kuwaiti-Omani trade and investment forum held at the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry on the occasion of the Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq Al Said’s state visit to Kuwait. The signed memos deal with cooperation in standardization, direct investment, diplomatic studies and training as well as cooperation between the Kuwait Investment Authority and the Omani Investment Authority. Speaking during the forum, Kuwait’s Minister of Trade and Industry and Minister of State for Communications Affairs Omar Al-Omar said trade relations between the two Arabian Gulf countries have been remarkably developed over the past years. He noted that the value of non-oil trade exchange between the two countries has reached over KD 124 million (about USD 403.2 million) in 2023, compared to KD 103 million (about USD 334.9 million in 2022, up 20.4 percent.

“This reflects the strength and diversity of trade relations and their continuous growth and development,” Minister Al-Omer said. He stated that forum serves as a platform for exchanging visions and ideas; exploring investment opportunities; discussing challenges and obstacles facing investors; and putting forward recommendations for improving trade and investment exchange. He stressed Kuwait’s keenness to overcome the challenges and difficulties that may face Omani companies wishing to enter the Kuwaiti market and to facilitate the entry of Kuwaiti companies into the Omani market. In his speech, the Omani Minister of Trade, Industry and Investment Promotion Qais Al-Yousef said the forum, attended by an elite group of business owners from both sides, is the best evidence of the two countries’ interest in enhancing trade and investment cooperation.

The Sultanate of Oman seeks to diversify its imports and enhance its exports, he said, urging business owners from both sides to explore the emerging opportunities in the Omani and Kuwaiti markets. Al-Yousef pointed out that the two governments seek to provide all facilities, incentives and capabilities to allow the private sector to contribute to achieving prosperity and sustainable growth in the two countries. He affirmed that the sisterly State of Kuwait is a vital strategic partner for the Sultanate of Oman.

Additionally, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah held an official session of talks Monday with Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq at Bayan Palace. During the talks, the deep-rooted ties between the two countries were touched on as well as boosting bilateral relations in various fields, said Minister of State for Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah. The talks also dealt with ways of expanding frameworks to support and enhance the progress of the GCC, the most prominent issues of common interest, and the discussions of some matters in light of the latest events regionally and globally.

The talks were attended by Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah and top officials from both countries. Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq Al- Said also received Monday Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al- Sabah at Bayan Palace. The meeting was attended by the Head of the accompanying honorary delegation, His Highness Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. Later that evening, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah held a dinner banquet Monday in honor of Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tareq Al-Said and his accompanying delegation, on the occasion of his state visit to Kuwait.

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