Muscat, July 1st (ONA)--- His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has conferred Al-Numan Order “First Class” on Anna Elizabeth, ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Sultanate in appreciation of her efforts in enhancing the existing good relations between the two friendly countries. 

     The order was presented to her on behalf of His Majesty the Sultan by Sayyid Asa’ad bin Tariq al-Said, Representative of His Majesty the Sultan when he received her in his office today to bid her farewell at the end of her tour of duty in the Sultanate.

      The Dutch ambassador expressed her great thanks and appreciation for His Majesty the Sultan for the support extended to her by the Sultanate’s government and the Omani people which had enabled her to perform her duties successfully in serving the good relations between the two countries. She wished the Sultanate all progress and prosperity under the wise leadership of His Majesty the Sultan. Sayyid Asa’ad conveyed His Majesty the Sultan’s wishes of success to the ambassador in her future carrier and relations between the two friendly countries further progress. 

     His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has also conferred Al-Numan Order “First Class” on Yaqoub Aba Omar, ambassador of the Republic of South Africa to the Sultanate in appreciation of his efforts exerted in enhancing the good relations between the Sultanate and the Republic of South Africa. 

     The order was presented on behalf of His Majesty the Sultan by Sayyid Asa’ad bin Tariq al-Said, Representative of His Majesty the Sultan when he received him in his office today.

      The meetings were attended by Saif bin Mohammed al-Abri, Secretary-General of the Representative of His Majesty the Sultan’s Office.

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Iraqi Premier Receives Omani Delegation

    Baghdad, July 1st (ONA)--- Noori al-Malki, Iraqi Premier received here today Mohammed bin Nasir al-Khusaibi, Secretary-General of the National Economy Ministry and his accompanying delegation currently visiting Iraq. 

     He conveyed greetings of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said and His Majesty’s best wishes for Iraq to enjoy security, stability and peace, as well as, further prosperity and progress and the Iraqi government success.

     Al-Khusaibi stressed during the meeting the Sultanate’s keenness to support brotherly Iraq and commending the talks he and the accompanying delegation had with senior Iraqi officials which emphasised the importance of continued communication between the two sides whether in the public or private sectors towards achieving economic partnership that meet the aspirations of the two brotherly countries and peoples. 

     On his turn, the Iraqi Premier expressed his great appreciation and thanks to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said and His Majesty’s government for the continued support for Iraq. He praised the talks he conducted with His Majesty the Sultan and Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud al-Said, Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers during his visit to the Sultanate last year which had opened up wider horizons for cooperation between the two countries. 

    He also affirmed the Iraqi government adherence to support all trends which assist in facilitating economic and trade cooperation between the two countries for the contribution of the Omani companies in the reconstruction of Iraq process. He pointed to Iraq’s needs for foreign investments in various spheres. 

     The Iraqi Premier welcomed the establishment of Omani and Iraqi Businessmen and Women Council promising his support to the council to achieve its inspired objectives.

      At the end of the meeting, the Iraqi Premier Noori al-Malki, asked Mohammed bin Nasir al-Khusaibi, Secretary-General of National Economy Ministry to convey his greetings to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, hoping for the continuation of meetings between officials and businessmen in the two countries. 

     The meeting was attended from the Omani side by Sheikh Dr. Abdul-Malik bin Abdullah al-Hinai, National Economy Ministry Undersecretary for Economic Affairs, Khalil bin Abdullah al-Khunji, Chairman of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) and other members of the accompanying delegation and from the Iraqi side by some Iraqi officials. 

     The Omani delegation concluded its visit to Iraq by signing an agreement to establish Omani and Iraqi Businessmen and Women Council. 

     The agreement was signed from the Omani side by Khalil bin Abdullah al-Khunji, OCCI Chairman, while Jafar Rasoul al-Hamadani, Chairman of the Iraqi Chambers Union signed for the Iraqi side.

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    Muscat, July 1st (ONA)--- Dr. Juma bin Ali bin Juma, Manpower Minister today issued a ministerial decision approving the regulatory bylaw for vocational health and safety at the enterprises governed by the Labour law.  The bylaw, which comes into force from the first of July this year, is compatible with the international principles and standards as set at the conventions and recommendations of the International Labor Organization (ILO).  

     Approving the implementation of this bylaw will play an important role in making different enterprises meet vocational health and safety requirements which in turn enhance the protection of labors against occupational accidents and diseases especially the Sultanate is witnessing a remarkable socioeconomic growth.  

     The bylaw requires the employer or his representative to hand over to the employees a list of the possible risks he may face at work and the safety instructions that should be followed to prevent injuries.

The new bylaw also requires the employer to avail Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) free of charge for employees who may face any kind of risk. Employers are also required to avail to employees a clean rest room near their work station and first aid box or more. They are also required, not to let women do jobs that contravene with their physiological abilities or assign to handicapped any job that is incompatible compatible with his/her ability .

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     Muscat, July 1 (ONA)- Hussein Bin Ali al Hilali, the General Prosecutor today received the Kuwaiti delegation in charge of legal authentication currently visiting the Sultanate.

      The meeting covered the bilateral relations especially in the field of general prosecution and issues of common interest. The delegation was briefed on the tasks and works of the general prosecution employees. They also viewed a TV show on the general prosecution and the development it witnessed since its establishment.  

     The Kuwaiti delegation earlier visited the Administrative Judicial Court and met with Advisor Majid bin Abdullah al Alawi , Chairman of the Administrative Judicial Court.

The delegation also met with Sheikh Said bin Ahmed al Aghbari, Chairman of the Directorate General of Court who briefed members of the delegation on the work of the Directorate General of Courts.  

     The Kuwaiti delegation also visited Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque and were impressed by its splendid architecture.

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Sultanate Participation

     Muscat , July 1 (ONA)- The Sultanate represented by the Ministry of Heritage and Culture will take part at the 32nd meeting of the World Heritage Committee  scheduled to be  held in Quebec City of Canada from July 2nd to July 10th .          

     The committee that represent the respective departments  will discuss the implementation of the Cultural and Natural Heritage Convention of 1972 and a number of topics related to the world cultural and natural heritage sites which now amounting to 851 in 141 countries.  

     The committee will consider a number of applications by countries to include their sites at the world natural and heritage list which includes 27 sites from 41 countries including the first site for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.  

     The participation of the ministry of Heritage and Culture at this meeting is part of the role it plays to preserve Omani heritage and affirmation of the status such heritage enjoys on the global level. It should be noted that 4 sties in the Sultanate are included in the World Heritage List namely Bahla Fort, Bat tombs , Frankincense Land and five Omani falajs.

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Omani delegation returns from Iraq

     Muscat, July 1 (ONA)--- Mohammed bin Nasser al Khusaibi , National Economy Ministry Secretary-General and the accompanying delegation returned home today after a three day official visit to Iraq during which he met with a number of senior Iraqi officials.

         The delegation which comprised a number of officials from the public and private sectors discussed during the visit a number of issues of joint interest in different fields especially the future of economic, trade and investment cooperation between the two countries.

       The delegation also met with a number of Iraqi businessmen and executives and discussed with them a number of issues on bilateral cooperation between the two sides.

      The delegation was received by the Iraqi ambassador to the Sultanate and a number of officials at the National Economy Ministry and the Foreign Ministry.

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     Muscat, July 1^st (ONA)--- Khalil bin Abdullah al-Khunji, Chairman of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) called upon the Omani private sector to take the initiative and invest in Iraq due to major investment opportunities available in various sectors. He emphasized OCCI readiness to coordinate between the Omani and Iraqi sides to acquaint themselves with the opportunities and potentials available for investment in Iraq.

      He told Oman News Agency (ONA) after taking part in the Omani delegation that concluded its visit to Baghdad today said that among the most important results of the visit was the signing of an agreement establishing an Omani – Iraqi Businessmen Council which would comprise prominent businessmen from both sides in various fields. He hoped that strategic projects would be set up in various spheres, such as, oil, gas, petrochemicals, the tourism, housing and agriculture sectors.

     He added that the delegation was given detailed briefing during the visit by Iraqi officials on the new investment law and familiarized the delegation with the investment fields available in Iraq.

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