-  Sunday November 11, 2007

01

H.M. the Sultan / Thanks Cables

02

Minister of Commerce and Industry meeting  

03

Sayyid Shihab heads to Cairo  

04 Economy Affairs Undersecretary / Meeting  
05

Gulf e-commerce Forum / Press Conference      

06 Singapore Delegation to visit Sultanate   
07 Sultanate and Bangladesh / Meeting
08 Sultanate & Saudi / Meeting   
09 Tourism Ministry - Participation
10

Sultanate participation

11 H.M. the Sultan receives Ambassadors’ Credentials  
12 Majlis A’Shura Chairman receives Qatar’s A’Shura Council’s chairman message
13 OCCI meeting   
14 Ambassadors took oath before H.M. the Sultan
15 Sayyid Shihab bin Tariq Arrives in Cairo 
16 Sultanate and Saudi conclude Border Authorities Meeting
17   19th Gulf Soccer Cup Kicks-Off January 14th 2009 
18 Low-Pressure are 1137 km away from the Wilayat of Sadah 
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29

 

 

01

H.M. the Sultan / Thanks Cables                                        

Top

                     

    Muscat, November 11 (ONA)- His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has received thanks cable from President Tassos Papadopoulos of Cyprus in response to His Majesty’s congratulatory cable on the occasion of Cyprus Independence Day.

     Papadopoulos expressed his good wishes of health and happiness to His Majesty and for the Omani people further progress and prosperity, hoping that the bilateral friendly relations would develop to serve the interests of both friendly peoples.

     His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has also received thanks cable from President Ilham Aliyev of the Republic of Azerbaijan in response to His Majesty’s congratulatory cable on the occasion of his country’s Independence Day.

     The President Aliyev expressed his appreciation for His Majesty’s initiative and the hoped the bilateral relations further progress to serve the interests of both Azeri and Omani peoples. He also wished His Majesty the Sultan’s good health and happiness and the Omani people  further progress and prosperity.

---Ends/MS/K

     

  

02

  Minister of Commerce and Industry meeting  

 Top

                   

Muscat, November 11(ONA)--- Maqbool bin Ali bin Sultan ,Minister of Commerce And Industry   today met at OCCI with officials of Small & Medium Size Enterprises (SMEs) supporting and funding bodies. 

The meeting touched on the definition of  Small & Medium Size Enterprises (SMEs) , the companies that needs funding , the importance of maintaining cooperation between SMEs funding bodies to support SMEs , facilitating procedures and  helping them in marketing their products and building the creative  compatibilities of both individual and corporate. 

The Minister of Commerce and Industry described the meeting as important for the Omani economy as it discusses means of funding and assisting SMEs to grow in fields, such as, technology and industry. The public and private institutions have to play the bigger role in assisting SMEs to grow.

 In a statement to reporters after the meeting, the Minister of Commerce and Industry  said that it has been agreed during the meeting to form a committee that compromises officials of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the SMEs’ funding and supporting bodies to raise recommendations and proposals that may be later on discussed at different meetings to be organized by the Directorate General for Small Enterprises at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

  Eng. Ahmed Bin Hassan al Dheeb , Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce And Industry  , Ahmed Bin Sulaiman al Maimani , Undersecretary of the Ministry for Administrative & Financial Affairs and Regions Affairs , Khalil bin Abdullah al Khunji , Chairman of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry , attended the meeting.

----Ends

 

     

   

03

Sultanate / Participation  

Top

                         

      Muscat , November 11(ONA)- On behalf of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said , Sayyid Shihab Bin Tariq al Said , H.M. the Sultan’s Advisor left here  today heading for the Arab Republic of Egypt to attend the opening ceremony of the 11th Arab Games that will be opened in Cairo later on, in response to the invitation extended to His Majesty the Sultan by President Mohammed Hosni Mubarak of Egypt.  

     Sayyid Shihab was seen off at the Royal airport by Ezz Eddin Fahmi , Egyptian ambassador to the Sultanate.

-----Ends MS/

 

 

   

 

04

Economy Affairs Undersecretary / Meeting               

Top

 

                    

      Muscat, November 11 (ONA)-- Sheikh Dr. Abdulmalik bin Abdullah al Hinai, undersecretary of the Ministry of National Economy for Economy Affairs today received at his office Mir Nassir Hussein, Chairman of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry Federation in Bangladesh and his accompanying delegation currently visiting the Sultanate              

     The meeting reviewed bilateral friendly relationship in various domains especially economic field, investment opportunities and how to develop bilateral cooperation in the future.

---Ends/k/Ma

   

     

05

Gulf e-commerce Forum / Press Conference

Top

 

                  

      Muscat, November 11 (ONA)- Bahrain based Gulf Knowledge Economy LLC is to organize on 27th this month the first Gulf e-commerce forum which lasts for two-days under the auspices of Dr. Hassan bin Abdullah Fakhrou, Bahraini Minister of Industry and Commerce.  

     The conference will highlight the latest developments in e-commerce technologies, reviewing the experiences of e-commerce in GCC region and methods to enrich and develop e-transactions through setting up and operating local and international e-trade platforms, said Ahmed Najm Abdullah al Najm, CEO of Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) in a statement to reporters at the press conference which was organized at BCCI today. 

     The conference aims at developing capacities and qualifies them to be involved in e-commerce based programs in the region in addition to integrating the relationship between the e-commerce and knowledge economy to set the basis for setting up and operating e-commerce platforms, he added.

      On his part Dr. Hussein Mohammed al Mahdi, chairman of Training and HRD at BCCI said that the forum will include a number of lectures, workshops and panel discussions.

      The four main themes of the forum are e-services, HRD&T e-commerce solutions and available opportunities.

----Ends/MS/k

 

 

06

Singapore Delegation to visit Sultanate

Top

 

                                        

                   Muscat, November 11 (ona)--– An official trade delegation headed by Singaporean State Minister for Commerce and Industry after tomorrow (Tuesday) is to arrive here on a two-day visit to the Sultanate. 

    The delegation comprises 14 members from the public and private sectors representating investment, commerce, industry, electricity, power, and water sectors in Singapore.

     The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has prepared a program for the visit that includes a number of meetings with state officials in addition to holding a session of talks with Maqbool bin Ali bin Sultan Minister of Commerce and Industry on boosting bilateral trade and economic ties in addition to increasing the volume of trade and investment.  

    The visit program also includes meeting between Omani and Singaporean businessmen to discuss scope of bilateral cooperation, investment opportunities and possible ventures to opens markets in both countries for both sides’ products.

     Statistics show that the volume of bilateral trade in 2005 amounts to RO 184,8 million including RO 151,9 Omani exports, 82% of the trade exchange volume. The value of Omani imports from Singapore amounted to RO 32,9, 17.8% 

    Oil and metals came on top of the list of the Omani exports to Singapore whereas equipment accessories and additives to lubrication oils came on top of the list of the Omani imports from Singapore.

----Ends/k/MA

 

 

   

7

Sultanate and Bangladesh / Meeting      

Top

 

                     

      Muscat, Nov 11th ONA)--- Mir Nassir Hussein, Chairman of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry’s Federation and accompanying delegation currently visiting the Sultanate met with Dr. Salim bin Nasser al Isma’aili Chief Executive Officer of the Omani Centre for Investment Promotion and Exports Development(OCIPED).

      During the meeting, the two sides discussed ways of enhancing trade and investment cooperation between the Sultanate and Bangladesh and reviewed available investment opportunities in Bangladesh in various economic spheres.

      The Bangladeshi delegation comprises a number Bangladeshi companies’ officials operating in banking, insurance, construction and building materials, foodstuff, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, leather products, costumes and textiles, frozen fish and agricultural products.

---Ends/Muk

 

 

 

08

Sultanate & Saudi / Meeting 

Top

      

     Muscat, Nov 11th (ONA)--- The Tenth Meeting between the Sultanate and sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 1st class border authorities was opened at the Muscat Grand Hyyat hotel today.

      The Omani side was headed by Major-General Salim bin Musallam Qatan, Assistant Inspector General of Police and Customs, while the Saudi side was headed by Lt. General Tala’l bin Mohsin al Anqawi, Director General of the Saudi Border Guard.

      A number of issues related to enhancing security cooperation between the two countries in the border field were discussed during the meeting.

---Ends/Muk

 

 

      

09 Tourism Ministry - Participation Top

 

                             

Muscat , November 11 (ONA)- Tourism Ministry alongside a number of public and private bodies in the Sultanate will participate at the second Omani - Singaporean forum that will be organized by Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry November 14th-15th on the sidelines of World Trade Forum that will be held in Singapore. 

The Tourism Ministry will be represented by Khalid Bin Hilal al Meawali , Director General of Investors’ Services and Quality Control at the Tourism Ministry.  

The Sultanate will present a working paper on investment environment and opportunities in the field of tourism in the Sultanate including the importance of tourism development , future vision for the tourism sector and the progress made regarding the implementation of the pre set plans. 

The working paper will also cover the Sultanate’s rich tourism potentials and incentives provided by the government to investors and the type of existing tourism projects in the Sultanate.

 It is worth mentioning that the forum aims at introducing the Sultanate’s  rich potentials , regulatory framework and incentives provided to foreign investors which make the Sultanate capable of attracting foreign investment.

----Ends MS/K

 

 

 

10

Sultanate participation    

Top

 

                          

        Muscat , November 11 ( ONA)- The Sultanate is to take part at the 24th session of the Arab Council ministers of labour and social affairs ministers of the GCC member states scheduled to be held in Riyadh tomorrow ( Tuesday.  

        The Sultanate’s delegation to the meetings will be headed by Dr. Sharifa bint Khalfan al Yahya’eyah,  Minister of Social Development . 

        The meeting will discuss a number of topics including the report by the Director-General on the outcome of the follow up and implementation of the recommendations of the previous session including the implementation of the Arab Handicapped Decade initiatives , the report on the international social organizations and the report on the future vision of the GCC social work in addition to a draft on women empowerment and enhancing her participation in the development in the GCC member states.  

      The meeting will also discuss the follow up report regarding the evaluation of the social development centers and programs , children issues in GCC countries, the social partnership and the responsibility of the Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in development in the GCC countries.

       The meeting will also discuss the budget and other administrative issues in addition to appointing Director General for the Executive Office for the period from 2008 to 2012 .

----------Ends MS/

 

  

11

  H.M. the Sultan receives Ambassadors’ Credentials 

Top

          

    Muscat, Nov 11 (ONA)---His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said received at Al Alam Palace here today the credentials of Anil Wadhwa as extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador of the Republic of India to the Sultanate. 

    During the meeting the ambassador conveyed to His Majesty the Sultan and the Omani people greetings and best wishes of President Pratibha Patil of the Republic of India, expressing his great honour and utmost thanks to present his credentials to His Majesty. 

    He stressed his keenness to promote relations between the two countries in various fields in the joint interests of the two friendly peoples.  

   His Majesty the Sultan welcomed the ambassador and thanked President Patil for her 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 and wished him a happy stay in the Sultanate. 

     His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said also received the credentials of Farouq Mahmoud Qaddour as extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador of the Syrian Arab Republic to the Sultanate. 

   During the meeting the ambassador conveyed to His Majesty the Sultan and the Omani people greetings and best wishes of Dr. Bashar al Asad President of the Syrian Arab Republic, expressing his great honour and utmost thanks to present his credentials to His Majesty. 

    The ambassador affirmed that he will exert his efforts to promote relations between the two countries in various spheres in the interest of the Omani and Syrian brotherly peoples.  

     His Majesty the Sultan welcomed the ambassador and thanked Dr. Bashar Asad for his greetings and best wishes, stressing that he would receive all support from His Majesty, the government and the Omani people to enable him to perform his duties and wishing him a happy stay in the Sultanate.  

    His Majesty the Sultan also received the credentials of Chu Sang Huan, as extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Sultanate. 

    During the meeting the ambassador conveyed to His Majesty the Sultan and the Omani people  greetings and best wishes of President Roh Moo-hyun of the Republic of Korea and expressing his great honour and delight to present his credentials to His Majesty. 

   The ambassador affirmed his earnest desire to promote good relations between the two countries in various fields in the joint interest of the Omani and Korean friendly peoples.  

   His Majesty the Sultan welcomed the ambassador and thanked President Moo-Hyun for his greetings and best wishes. His Majesty affirmed to the ambassador that he will receive all support from His Majesty, the government and the Omani people to enable him to perform his duties and wished him a happy stay in the Sultanate. 

     His Majesty the Sultan also received the credentials of Abdul Rahman Khamis Ubaid as extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador of the Yemeni Republic to the Sultanate. 

     The ambassador conveyed to His Majesty the Sultan and Omani people greetings and best wishes of President Ali Abdullah Saleh of the Yemeni Republic and expressed his delight and honour to present his credentials to His Majesty. 

    The ambassador enphasised that he would do his utmost to enhance good relations between the two countries in the mutual interest of the Omani and Yemeni brotherly peoples.  

    His Majesty the Sultan welcomed the ambassador and thanked President Saleh for his greetings and best wishes. His Majesty confirmed to the ambassador that he will receive all support from His Majesty, the government and the Omani people to enable him to perform his duties and wished him a happy stay in the Sultanate. 

      His Majesty the Sultan also received the credentials of Cesare Capitani as extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador of the Republic of Italy to the Sultanate.

       The ambassador conveyed to His Majesty the Sultan and Omani people greetings and best wishes of President Giorgio Napolitano of the Republic of Italy and expressed his delight and honour to present his credentials to His Majesty. 

    The ambassador stressed that he would do his utmost efforts to enhance good relations between the two countries to strengthen bilateral cooperation between them in the interest of the two friendly peoples.  

    His Majesty the Sultan welcomed the ambassador and thanked President Napolitano for his greetings and best wishes. His Majesty confirmed the ambassador that he will receive all support from His Majesty, the government and the Omani people to enable him to perform his duties and wished him a happy stay in the Sultanate. 

    His Majesty the Sultan also received the credentials of Shamlan Abdul Aziz Mohammed al Roomi as extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador of the State of Kuwait to the Sultanate. 

     During the meeting the ambassador conveyed to His Majesty the Sultan and Omani people greetings and best wishes of Sheikh Sabah al Ahmed al Jabir al Sabah, Emir of Kuwait and expressed his great honour and utmost thanks to present his credentials to His Majesty. 

    The ambassador stressed that he would do his utmost to strengthen distinguished relations between the two countries in various spheres in the interests of the Omani and Kuwaiti brotherly peoples.

     His Majesty the Sultan welcomed the ambassador and thanked Sheikh al Sabah for his greetings and best wishes. His Majesty affirmed to the ambassador that he will receive all support from His Majesty, the government and the Omani people to enable him to perform his duties and wished him a happy stay in the Sultanate. 

   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 

 

 

         

12

Majlis A’Shura Chairman receives Qatar’s A’Shura Council’s chairman message

Top

 

                   

      Muscat, Nov 11th ONA)--- Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed al Isa’aie, chairman of the Majlis A’Shura, today received a message from Mohammed bin Mubarak al Khilaifi, chairman of the Qatari A’Shura council inviting him to attend the 1st meeing of the chairmen of the AGCC councils of Shura, the national, Al-Ummah and the representatives scheduled to be held in Doha, Qatar on Nov 21st and 22nd.  

     The message was handed over by Abdullah bin Mohammed al Khatir, Qatar’s ambassador to the Sultanate when the chairman of the Majlis A’Shura received him here today.

      During the meeting cordial conversations were exchanged and bilateral relations between the two countries and ways of enhancing them - particularly in the field of the joint AGCC parliamentary work were discussed.

      The meeting was attended by Abdul Qadir bin Salim al-Dha’ab, secretary general of Majlis A’Shura.

---Ends/Muk

 

 

 

 

   

 13

OCCI meeting 

Top

 

          

     Muscat Nov 11th ONA)--- Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) board today held its 3rd meeting of its new term 2007-2010 under the chairmanship of Khalil bin Abdullah al Khunji, OCCI board chairman.

     The meeting discussed a number of topics on its agenda including duties of OCCI specialized committees and internal committees after being revised as per OCCI’s, Omani Private sector’s and trade and economic practice requirements in the Sultanate. 

     The meeting also elected heads of OCCI’s specialized committees, with Khalil bin Abdullah al Khunji as head of the economic development and international relations committee, Jamil bin Ali Sultan as head of the banking and financial sector committee, Sahar bint Sa’ad al Ka’abiyah as a head of human resources and labour markets, Shihab bin Ahmed al-Shukili, as head of the compromise, arbitration and trade convention committee, Ibrahim bin Ba’aqir al Ajmi as head of the tourism and real estate investment committee, Sheikh Hamoud bin Said al Ra’sbi as head of the agricultural committee, Musalam bin A’mir al Amri as head of Fisheries committee, Ayman bin Abdullah al Hasni as head of industry and promotion committee and Tariq bin Ali al Ajmi as head of services and trade profession committee.

      The meeting also named heads of the forums which were established and approved by the OCCI board in previous meetings; being the businesswomen forum to be headed by Natasha bint Yahya’ Nassib and the businessmen forum to be headed Yousuf bin Ya’aquoub al Busaidi.

---Ends/Muk

    

 

 

14 

Ambassadors took oath before H.M. the Sultan       

Top

 

            

        Muscat, Nov 11th ONA)--- The following ambassadors took oath before His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said at Al-Alam Palace here this evening :

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Ali al-Qatabi, Sultanate’s extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador to the United Arab Emirates. 

Hussain bin Omar bin Abdullah al-Ibrahim, Sultanate’s extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador to the Republic of Tunisia.

 Sayyid Khalifa bin al-Murda’s bin Ahmed al Busaidi, Sultanate’s extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador to the Republic of  France.

 Dr. Badr bin Mohammed bin Zahir al Hina’ie, Sultanate’s extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador to the republic of Austria. 

Khalid bin Hashil bin Mohammed al Maslahi, Sultanate’s extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador to Japan. 

     The oath taking ceremony was attended by Yousef bin Alawi bin Abdullah, Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs

---Ends/Muk

 

 

    

15

Sayyid Shihab bin Tariq Arrives in Cairo   

Top

             

          Cairo, Nov 11th(ONA)---Representing His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, Sayyid Shihab bin Tariq al Said, H.M. the Sultan’s Adviser arrived in Cairo this evening to attend the opening ceremony of the 11th Arab Games Tournament due to be opened here later this evening. 

    He was received on his arrival by Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah al Hinai, Sultanate’s ambassador to Egypt and its permanent representative to the Arab League and embassy’s personnel.

----Ends/Muk

 

 

16

Sultanate and Saudi conclude Border Authorities Meeting       Top

 

                      

         Muscat Nov 11th (ONA)---The 10th meeting between the Sultanate’s and Saudi 1st class border authorities concluded at Muscat Grand Hyyat hotel here today. 

    The meeting discussed several topics on enhancing security cooperation between the two countries in the border area. 

    It is worth-noting that the meeting commenced earlier today. The Omani side was headed by Maj. Gen. Salim bin Musallam Qatan, Assistant Inspector General of Police and Customs while the Saudi side was headed by Lt. Gen. Tala’l bin Mohsin al Anqawi director-general of the Saudi border guard.

---Ends/MUK 

 

                      

 

 17

       Top
    

      

 

18

   

Top

 

 

   

 

 

 

19    Top

 

  

 

   

20 

Top

 

   

     

21 

Top

 

         

 

22 

  Top

 

  

 

23