Muscat: The relations between the Sultanate of Oman and the State of Kuwait are a regional and international role model. This sincere brotherhood and cooperation have been strengthened to go beyond the traditional nature of their relations at various levels. These relations have reached high levels in the official and national aspects, based on the historical and social heritage that brings together the two countries and common political positions.
The talks to be held at Al Alam Palace this Tuesday between His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and His Highness Sheikh Mishal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, Emir of the State of Kuwait, will herald a new beginning for enhancing relations between the two brotherly countries for the benefit of their countries and peoples.
The state visit of His Highness Sheikh Mishal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, Emir of the State of Kuwait, to the Sultanate of Oman, carries several manifestations, as it is his second external visit since he assumed the reins of power in the State of
Kuwait. The foremost of which is the firm desire of the leaderships of the two countries to accord a high patronage for the existing relations based on solid foundations and common values. These relations press ahead with confident strides that bring goodness and development to the two countries
Anyone who follows Omani-Kuwaiti relations can clearly perceive the diplomatic approach pursued by both sides to resolve crises and disputes as well as positions towards many regional and international issues through peaceful means, respecting the sovereignty and independence of states and adhering to the rules of law and international conventions, in addition to their support for the endeavours of the GCC countries aiming to achieve stability and peace in the region and the world at large. The Omani-Kuwaiti Joint Committee contributed to expanding the scope of cooperation between the two countries in many fields of economy, trade, education, scientific research, youth, civil service, environment and other diverse de
velopment fields. The committee created trade and investment exchange represented by the signing of many agreements and memorandums of understanding in various spheres.
Dr. Saleh bin Amer Al Kharousi, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to the State of Kuwait, asserted that the state visit to be made by His Highness Sheikh Mishal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, Emir of the State of Kuwait, to the Sultanate of Oman assumes a special importance as it is the second visit to be made by the Emir outside Kuwait since he assumed the reins of power on the 16th of last December 2023.
The ambassador told Oman News Agency (ONA) that the visit represents an affirmation of the depth of the ties between the leaderships of the two countries and their peoples as well as the close cooperation between them in various fields. He pointed out that the two countries share commonalities and very great similarity in the foreign policy and diplomacy they pursue regarding most regional and international files and issues.
He added that
the bilateral relations between the Sultanate of Oman and the State of Kuwait extend to ancient historical roots, the most important of which is maritime communication through the ports of the two countries. Kuwaiti commercial ships used to take the Omani ports as a starting point towards East Asia, East Africa and many other destinations, including through Bab Al Mandab. This communication allowed for the establishment of social relations between the Omani and Kuwaiti peoples still interact positively nowadays.
At the level of the political leaderships of the two countries, the ambassador stressed that there were close relations between the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said and after him His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik with the princes of the State of Kuwait since the era of the late Sheikh Sabah Al Salem Al Mubarak Al Sabah and until His Highness Sheikh Mishal Al Ahmad Al Sabah assumed the reins of power in Kuwait. Their meetings carried goodness for the benefit of the Omani and Kuwaiti peoples and strength
ened the foundations of the GCC bloc.
Regarding the areas of joint cooperation between the Sultanate of Oman and the State of Kuwait, the ambassador said that there is direct coordination at the highest level between the two sides in multiple fields, including at the GCC level where citizens of each Gulf country are treated the same as citizens of that country with regard to education, health care, ownership, transportation, and others.
Oman’s ambassador to Kuwait pointed out that there are other mechanisms concerned with direct bilateral relations, including meetings at the summit level, where the visit of His Highness the Emir of the State of Kuwait comes within this framework, and also the joint Omani-Kuwaiti Committee, which was established in 2003 and is held periodically, alternately, in the capitals of the two countries, the most recent of which was the ninth session held in Muscat last March.
The ambassador stated that during the past nine sessions of the committee, many projects and joint cooperat
ion programs were reached in the economic, cultural, artistic, scientific and sports sectors, in addition to the Duqm Refinery project and petrochemical industries. There are also investments in other economic fields, including investment in the real estate, industrial and mining sectors.
He affirmed that the statistics and figures in the areas of bilateral cooperation reflect a significant development in economic relations. The two countries seek to build on them and work to increase them in quantity and quality, as this aspect receives the care and attention of the leaderships and guidance of the two countries.
The ambassador added that Kuwaiti direct investment in the Sultanate of Oman, according to the National Center for Statistics and Information (NCSI), by the end of September 2023, amounted to RO 922.3 million, an increase of more than RO 125 million over last year (2022). The volume of trade exchange between the two countries in 2023 reached RO 790 million as of November, a growth of about 300 perc
ent compared to the previous year (2022), in which the volume of trade exchange amounted to about RO 280 million.
He pointed out that the two sides are seeking to hold the (Omani and Kuwaiti Economic Forum) under the supervision of the Ministries of Commerce and Industry and the Chambers of Commerce and Industry in the two countries to explore opportunities and review challenges and strengthen trade and investment relations in the government and private sectors in the presence of businessmen and representatives of private establishments and companies.
The ambassador affirmed that there are real opportunities available in many fields, including the industrial and real estate sectors, the mining sector, the livestock and fisheries sector, and the food industries, in addition to the tourism sector, one of the important sectors in the Sultanate of Oman.
During the past year (2023), many events were organized, including the participation of 80 Omani artists, most of them in fine arts, music and theatre, in an e
vent entitled (Oman in the Heart of Kuwait). The event was sponsored by the Oman’s Embassy in Kuwait and coordination and cooperation with the Kuwaiti Artists and Media Journalists Association, in addition to poetic events in which a group of the most prominent Omani poets and novelists participated in cooperation with the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters.
Dr. Saleh bin Amer Al Kharousi, the Sultanate of Oman’s Ambassador to the State of Kuwait, said that the embassy seeks during the coming months to establish (Omani Cultural Days) in Kuwait under the auspices and supervision of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, the Ministry of Information and Culture, and the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters in the State of Kuwait.
Source: Oman News Agency
