Muscat, March 2 (ONA)--- His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has sent a cable of greetings to Georgi Barvanov, President of the Republic of Bulgaria on the occasion of his country’s National Day.  

    His Majesty expressed his greetings and sincere wishes to President Barvanov and the friendly Bulgarian people.

H.M. the Sultan Congratulatory Cable

     Muscat, March 2 (ONA)--His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has sent a cable of congratulations to Dimitris Christofias on the occasion of winning the presidential elections in the Republic of Cyprus.  

     His Majesty the Sultan expressed his sincere congratulations and best wishes of luck and success for President elect Christofias, and the friendly people of Cyprus further progress and prosperity and more development and promotion for the existing bilateral cooperation relations to serve the interests of the Omani and Cypriot peoples.

          Muscat, March 2 (ONA)---Yousuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs received at his office today Kiven Cosgriff, Commander of the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command.

           The meeting dealt with bilateral relations in different domains and how to develop them, in addition to exchanging views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.

           Ahmed bin Yousef al Harthy, Head of Arab Department, Mahmoud bin Mohammed al Raisi, Chairman of U.S. Affairs Administration, the guest’s accompanying delegation and a number of the Foreign Ministry officials attended the meeting.

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          Muscat, March 2 (ONA)--- Under the auspices of Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah al Harthy, Civil Service Minister and Chairman of the Institute of Public Administration, a celebration was held at the institute to mark its annual day and honour distinguished.  

          Dr. Sulaiman bin Hilal al Alawi, Director General of the Institute pointed out that the institute has completed its training plans , researches and consultancy in 2007. The number of programmes completed amounted to 110 that benefited 2333 participants.

           The special programme accounted for 89% of the gross scientific programme, an indication of the great interest in by the state administrative units in improving the skills of their employees.

           At the end of the celebration, Sheikh al Harthy honored distinguished performers at the training programmes provided by the institute in 2007.

           A number of undersecretaries and officials at the institute attended the celebration.

     Muscat, March 2 (ONA)--- Khalil bin Abdullah al Khunji, Chairman of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) and the committee for “Sanad” Award for individual Initiatives announced an annual award for individual initiatives for this year under the name “Sanad” Award for Individual Initiatives‘.

      The award aims at disseminating initiative culture, encouraging free business and owners of small size enterprises, praising the efforts for entrepreneurs, disseminating the culture of success and encouraging those who benefit from funds to discharge their commitments.

           In a co- press conference with Samir bin Ahmed al Nabhani, CEO of “Sanad” Programme, al Khunji said that three awards will be given. The first award will be on the protective support. The first winner of this category will get RO. 6,000, the second will get RO. 1,000 and the third will get RO. 500.

           Applicants for such awards should be one of the beneficiaries of the protective programme for “Sanad”, have not received a fund from “Sanad” Programme, the business should be Omanized and should be operating since 8 months at minimum, he added. 

          The second award is allocated for the funding support. The first winner will get RO.3,000, the second winner will get RO.1000 and the third winner will get RO.500. The applicant should be one of the beneficiaries of “Sanad” funding programme and the project should be operating for at least 24 months.  

          The third award will be allocated for the producing families. The first winner will get RO.3,000, the second winner will get RO.1000 and the third winner will get RO.500. Applicant should be one of the social security families or with special needs or their equivalents. He/she should be one of the beneficiaries of the funding support by the Source of Living Fund. The project should be operating for at least 24 months.

           On his part Samir bin Ahmed al Nabhani said that the applications shall be received from tomorrow (Monday) till April 2nd 2008. The winners will be unveiled at the first week of September 2008.

     It is worth mentioning that “Sanad” has contributed to 10126 shops that benefited 20234.

     The number of beneficiaries from “Sanad” training and rehabilitation programme amounted to 5676 including foodstuff sale, sewing, mobile repairs, IT, vegetable and fruit centers, beauty Saloons and Injaz program.

--Ends/MS/

Sultanate takes part at the 8th Gulf Water Conference

          Muscat, Mar 2 (ONA)--The Sultanate represented by the Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources will take part on March 3rd-6th at Gulf Water conference that will be hosted by Manama, Bahrain.

           The conference aims at drafting standard Gulf policies to rationalize use of water and ensure water security. A number of themes will be discussed at the conference including Gulf water security and possible water alternatives at the GCC countries.  

    The Ministry will present two working papers on ‘maintenance of water structures and challenges of Afalaj systems in the Sultanate of Oman’ and ‘comprehensive strategies and policies for water resources management at the Omani national plan for water resources.

----Ends MS/

      Muscat, March 2 (ONA)--- Mustafa bin Ali bin Abdul-Latif, Education Ministry Undersecretary for Administrative and Financial Affairs left here today heading for the sisterly Republic of Tunisian at the invitation of Omar al Jailani, Council Chairman and Director General of the Tunisian Agency for Technical Co-operation. 

     During the visit, Abdul-Latif will discussed ways of enhancing the existing co-operation aspects between the two brotherly countries in the educational fields.

      He is accompanied by Ahmed bin Abu Bakar al-Zubaidi, Director General of the Directorate General for Administrative Affairs, Dr. Salim bin Said al Bahri, Director General of Education at Governorate of Al Buraimi and a number of officials at the Education Ministry.

     Riyadh, March 2 (ONA)--- Directors General and Editors-in-Chief of Gulf News Agencies will hold in Riyadh on forthcoming Wednesday their 13th meeting to discuss co-operation aspects in all fields. 

     Oman News Agency (ONA) will be represented at the meeting by Majeed bin Mohammed al Rowas, Director General and Editor in Chief.

      This meeting will be preceded by the Seventh meeting of the Gulf News Agencies Technical Committee, which will submit its recommendations to the directors General.

     Muscat, Mar 2 (ONA)---State Council office today held its seventh meeting of the first annual sitting, fourth term under the chairmanship of Dr. Yahya bin Mahfoudh al Manthri, State Council Chairman. 

    The meeting looked into the list of executive procedures taken with regard to decisions of the office meeting and follow up report of the committees activity during the period which falls between the office previous and this meeting.

      The meeting also discussed the letter of the chairman of the follow up committee of implementing the developmental plans on the request to host a number of officials in the health field from the public and private sectors to enrich the committee’s work through visions, ideas and information which will be discussed with these authorities, in addition to other important topics.

---Ends/k/fs

Nizwa University / Agreement

          Nizwa, March 2 (ONA)---The agreement for the first group of the main campus for Nizwa University that cost RO. 35,700,000 was signed here today.

    The agreement was signed by Sayyid Asa’ad bin Tariq al Said, Representative of His Majesty the Sultan and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Nizwa University.

           Sayyid Asa’ad hailed the support extended by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said to higher education institutions.

           The first group of buildings at the main campus for Nizwa university which extends over 145,000 square meters includes the College of science, the College of Arts, the College of Pharmacy and Nursing, the College of Economy and Administration, the College of Information Systems and the College of Engineering and Architecture, in addition to four premises for class rooms, five lecture halls, a building for the library and a building for the administration.

     The signing ceremony was attended by a number of ministers, undersecretaries and Nizwa university officials.

Survey of the Historic Buildings in Dhahirah region and Buraimi Governorate

          Muscat, March 2 (ONA)- Within the framework of the historical complexes survey implemented by the Ministry of Heritage and Culture represented by the historical building registration and protection committee, the working team in charge has surveyed the historical buildings (the old districts) at the Dhahirah region and the Al Buraimi governorate.  

          The survey has been performed as per the approved plan by the committee. The team recorded 109 historical building at the Dhahirah region and 36 at the Al Buraimi Governorate.

           The committee surveys and documents the Omani traditional districts, in addition to classifications of the districts according to specified criteria. The committee then puts the appropriate plans to manage these sites in coordination with the respective departments in a bid to ensure the architectural designs of the Omani old districts.

--Ends/MS/

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Majlis A’shura/ Project Study

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              Muscat, March 2 (ONA)--- The Joint committee assigned to study the Income Tax Draft Law today held its fifth regular meeting of the first annual sitting of the sixth term under the chairmanship of Dr. Fuad bin Ja’afer Sagwani, Committee Chairman.

      The committee approved the first and second regular meetings minutes. The committee also discussed also the results and recommendations reached by the committee team work through the meetings, it held with officials and businessmen and the outcome in terms of solutions, proposals and amendments with regard to the draft law. 

     The committee adopted the amendments and proposals brought up by members and included them in the committee report, which will be submitted to the Majlis in its forthcoming session.

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     Muscat, March 2 (ONA)--- Sayyid Haitham bin Tariq al Said, Minister of Heritage and Culture today issued a decision to form the Cultural Club Board of Directors for three years under the chairmanship of Salim bin Mohammed al Mahrouqi and Amal bint Said al Shanferiyah as Deputy Chairman.

      The Board of directors comprises the following as members: Yousef bin Ya’qub al Harthi, Dr. Hilal bin Said al Hajri, Dr. Mohammed bin Saif al Habsi, Dr. Yahya bin Nasser al Khusaibi, Sulieman bin Ali al Maamari, Yahya bin Abdullah al Lezami and Hilal bin Saif al Seyabi.

National Economy Minister - Statement 

    Muscat, March 2 (ONA)- Ahmed bin Abdulnabi Macki, Minister of National Economy & Deputy Chairman of the Financial Affairs & Energy Resources Council confirmed that the national survey for the foreign investments installations, implemented by the Ministry of National Economy during 2007 in collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Central Bank of Oman (CBO) has covered 515 installations in the different economic fields.  

    He explained in a statement to Oman News Agency (ONA) today that the gross value of the foreign investment in the Sultanate amounted to RO.5997 million in 2006 compared to RO. 4006.7 million in 2005, a RO. 1990.3 million increase in foreign investment capital. The increase is attributed to the investments in industrial projects especially in the wilayat of Sohar, the tourism projects and the investments in oil and gas sectors.  

    Macki said that the outcome of the survey indicates the growth of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from RO.1622.5 million in 2005 to RO. 2260.2 million in 2006. The FDI is the possession of 10% and + of the capital.  

    As for FDI as regarding countries, the U.K came first in 2006 with RO. 652.7 million investments in 2006 compared to RO. 536.2 million in 2005. The U.A.E investments came second with RO. 372.1 million in 2006 compared to RO. 213.4 million in 2005. The U.S.A came third with RO. 298 million in 2006 compared to RO. 102.9 million in 2005, he continued.

    Macki noted that while 41.4% of the FDI focused on oil and gas sector, 18.5% in industrial activity and 16.1% in financial brokerage.  

    The yield for foreign investments amounted to RO. 909.5 Million in 2006 divided into RO.759.7 million paid against FDI and RO. 149.8 million paid against other investments, he added.  

    The Omani investments abroad which includes public and private investments amounted to RO. 1912.8 million during 2005 and 2006, an increase by RO.1306.6 million, he said. 

    The Omani investment abroad includes direct investments and investments in stocks, bonds and other investments like deposits. The Omani direct foreign investments abroad constituted 18% of the total Omani investment abroad in 2006, which is RO. 584 million.  

    The brokerage has constituted the bulk of the Omani foreign direct investments, which amounted to RO. 236.7 million in 2006, about 40.5%. Oil and gas came second amounted to  RO.198.8 million, i.e. 34%. 

    At the end of his statements, Macki hailed the positive response by the installations covered by the survey.  

    He also pointed out that the Ministry of National Economy in collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and CBO will start the next survey for 2007 data in April 2008.

---Ends/MS

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    Manah, Mar 2 (ONA)---His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said received at Hisn Al Shmoukh today the credentials of T. Mattson as the extraordinary,  plenipotentiary and non-resident ambassador of the New Zealand to the Sultanate. 

    The ambassador conveyed greetings and best wishes to His Majesty the Sultan and the Omani people from Anand Satyanand Governor General of New Zealand and expressed his great honour and delight to present his credentials to His Majesty. 

    He stressed his keenness to promote good bilateral relations between the two countries in all fields in the joint interest of the Omani and New Zealand friendly peoples.  

   His Majesty the Sultan welcomed the ambassador and thanked Governor General Satyanand for his greetings and best wishes, stressing to the ambassador that he would receive all support from His Majesty, the government and the Omani people to enable him to perform his duties successfully.  

     His Majesty the Sultan also received the credentials of Khairat Lamasharif as the extraordinary, plenipotentiary and non-resident ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Sultanate    .

The ambassador conveyed greetings and best wishes to His Majesty the Sultan and the Omani people from President NurSultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan and expressed his great honour and delight to present his credentials to His Majesty.  

   He affirmed that he would do his utmost efforts to promote the good relations between the two countries and enhancing bilateral cooperation between them in the interest of their friendly peoples.  

  His Majesty the Sultan welcomed the ambassador and thanked President Nazarbayev for his greetings and best wishes, confirming to the ambassador that he would receive all support from His Majesty, the government and the Omani people to enable him to perform his duties.

    His Majesty the Sultan also received the credentials of Yon Dobritch as extraordinary plenipotentiary and non-resident ambassador of the Republic of Romania to the Sultanate. 

   The ambassador conveyed greetings and best wishes to His Majesty the Sultan and the Omani people from President Traian Basescu of the Republic of Romania and expressed his great honour and thanks to present his credentials to His Majesty.  

   He stressed his determination to promote the two countries relations in all domains in the interest of the Omani and Romanian friendly peoples.  

    His Majesty the Sultan welcomed the ambassador and thanked President Basescu for his greetings and best wishes, confirming to the ambassador that he would receive all support from His Majesty, the government and the Omani people to enable him to perform his duties successfully. 

    His Majesty the Sultan also received the credentials of Mohammed Omar Mahmoud as extraordinary, plenipotentiary and non-resident ambassador of the state of Eritrea to the Sultanate. 

     The ambassador conveyed to His Majesty the Sultan and the Omani people greetings and best wishes from President Isaias Afwerki of the state of Eritrea and expressed his honour and thanks to present his credentials to His Majesty. 

     He stressed that he would do his utmost to enhance and develop ties of cooperation between  the two countries to open up new fields for bilateral cooperation between them in the mutual interests of their peoples. 

     His Majesty the Sultan after welcoming the ambassador and thanking President Afwerki for his greetings and best wishes, confirmed that he would receive all support from His Majesty, the government and the Omani people to enable him to perform his duties. 

   The credentials presentation ceremony was attended by the Minister of the Diwan of Royal Court, the Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs, the Head of the Royal Protocols, the Commander of the Royal Guard of Oman and the Military Aides to His Majesty the Sultan.

---Ends/k/fs

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     Manah, Mar 2 (ONA)---Lt.Gen. Abdullah bin Rashid bin Abdullah al Kalbani, head of the Internal Security Service took oath before His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said at Hisn Al Shmoukh in the wilayat of Manah this evening.

--Ends/k/fs

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 Minister Responsible for Defence Affairs receives American Military Commander

      Muscat, Mar 2 (ONA)---Sayyid Badr bin Saud bin Harib al Busaidi, Minister Responsible for Defence Affairs, received in his office at Mua’askar Bait Al Falaj today Kiven Cosgriff, Commander of the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, who is currently visiting the Sultanate. 

     During the meeting views were exchanged and matters of common concern were discussed. 

     The meeting was attended by the American Military attache, the charge D’affaires at the American embassy and the delegation accompanying the guest.

---Ends/fs

    Muscat, Mar 2 (ONA)---Lt.Gen. Ahmed bin Harith al Nabhani, Chief of Staff of the Sultan’s Armed Forces received in his office today Air Vice-Marshal Ahmed Hussein Showdah, Commander of the Royal Air Force in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and his accompanying delegation currently visiting the Sultanate. 

    During the meeting good bilateral relations were reviewed and existing military cooperation fields were discussed, besides other matters of common concern between the two brotherly countries. 

    The meeting was attended by Air Vice Marshal Yahya bin Rasheed al Jumah, Commander of the Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO), senior COSAF officers and the Military attache at the Jordanian embassy in the Sultanate.

---Ends/k/fs

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     Muscat, March 2 (ONA)---Air Vice Marshall Yahya bin Rasheed al Jumah, Commander of the Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) received here today Air Vice Marshal Ahmad Hussein Showdash, Royal Air Force Commander at the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and his accompanying delegation currently visiting the Sultanate.

      During the meeting, cordial relations between the two brotherly countries and issues of common concern were reviewed. 

     The meeting was attended from the Omani side by senior officers at (RAFO) HQs and from the Jordanian side by the delegation accompanying the guest and the Military Attaché at the Jordanian Embassy in the Sultanate. 

     On the other hand, Maj.Gen Said bin Nasser bin Sulieman al Salmi, Commander of the Royal Army of Oman (RAO) received here today Air Vice Marshal Ahmad Hussein Showdash, Commander of the Royal Air Force at the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and his accompanying delegation in the presence of Air Vice Marshall Yahya bin Rasheed  al Jumah, RAFO Commander. 

     During the meeting, points of view were exchanged and a number of issues of common concern were reviewed. 

     The meeting was attended by a number of officers at the RAO HQs and the Military Attaché at the Jordanian Embassy in the Sultanate. 

     Rear Admiral Abdullah bin Khamis al Raesi, Commander of the Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) also received here today the Commander of the Jordanian Royal Air Force in the presence of Air vice-Marshall Yahya bin Rasheed al Jumah, RAFO Commander. 

     During the meeting, cordial conversations were exchanged and issues of common concern were discussed. 

     The meeting was attended by a number of RNO officers and the Military Attaché at the Jordanian Embassy in the sultanate.

---Ends/KH

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     Muscat, March 2 (ONA)--A delegation from the Civil Aviation Authority at the Republic of Belarus will arrive here tomorrow (Monday) on an official two-day visit to the Sultanate to conduct talks in organizing aviation transport services field between the two friendly countries. 

     During the visit, the Belarusian delegation headed by Vladimir Loginov, First Deputy Director of Aviation Department at the Republic of Belarus will hold talks with a number of officials at the Ministry of Transport and communications that will deal with an agreement of organizing aviation transport services project between the two countries besides discussing a number of topics related to the civil aviation and air transport between the two countries to keep abreast of the modern developments in this field.

     The Sultanate's delegation in these talks will be headed by Rashid bin Mohammed bin Hamad al Kioumi, Assistant Director General of Civil Aviation and Meteorology for Civil Aviation Affairs in the presence of representatives of the Sultanate's National Transport, Oman Air Company and the Omani Company for Airports Management.

---Ends/ KH

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