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Muscat, February 24 (ONA)- Abdul Aziz bin Mohammed al Rowas, H.M. the Sultan’s Advisor for Cultural Affairs received at his office today Professor Alison Richard, Vice Chancellor of Cambridge University of the United Kingdom and her accompanying delegation. During the meeting, Professor Richard expressed her thanks to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said for creating Sultan Qaboos Chair for Contemporary Arabic Language at Cambridge University as it will enrich human knowledge and culture. The meeting dealt with cooperation between the Sultanate and Cambridge University in the field of Higher Education and Scientific Research. ---Ends/Ms
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Greetings Cable |
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Muscat, February 24 (ONA) -- His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has sent a cable of greetings to Sheikh Sabah al Ahmed al Jabir al Sabah, Emir of Kuwait on the occasion of his country’s National Day. His Majesty the Sultan expressed his sincere wishes of good health, prosperity and long life to Sheikh Sabah and the brotherly people of Kuwait further progress and prosperity under his wise leadership. ----Ends/MS/
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Muscat, Feb 24 (ONA)---Under the auspices of Ahmed bin Abdulnabi Macki, Minister of National Economy & Deputy Chairman of the Financial Affairs & Energy Resources Council, a celebration was held last night at Barr Al Jissah resort to launch Oman Air‘s new corporate branding comprised of gold and silver colours that reflect the Omani frankincense which has been the focus of many cultures throughout the historic ages. Gold represents excellence and achievement and embodies the timeless traditions and the bountiful natural wealth of the Sultanate. Silver represents the genuine and vibrant heritage of Oman, which has been reflected in intricate and exquisite silver artifacts, such as, the Khanjar (Dagger), jewelry and more. The turquoise blue of the tail is a symbolic of the legendary hospitality and welcoming nature of Oman to travelers since ancient days and its rich marine history. The bilingual topography of Oman Air name in silver and gold signified the dynamic and ambitious airlines that is spreading its wings to achieve greater success. The bold and compact fonts denote stability, strength and synergy. Macki pointed out that the new corporate branding and colours mark an impressive achievement for Oman Air. The expansion of Oman Air as a national carrier, after boosting its fleet, will contribute to increasing the number of tourists and travelers to the Sultanate especially Muscat Airport witnesses a steady growth. The number of travelers that used the airport last year amounted to 4.5 million passenger, he added. In a statement to reporters, Macki said that the government, which has become the main investor at the company, has added to the company fleet, to reach 12 Boeing 737-800 by the end of January 2009. 7 Airbus 330 will join service in 2009, in addition to 6 Boeing 787 DreamLiner in 2012. The government also leased a number of flights to open new destinations during the coming period. On her part, Dr. Rajiah bint Abdul Ameer bin Ali, Tourism Minister said that the national carrier to any country is very crucial for tourism development, therefore the Tourism Ministry believes that Oman Air will contribute a great deal to developing tourism in the Sultanate. It will also facilitate the turn out of a large number of tourists to the Sultanate especially after the completion of major tourism projects. In a statement to reporters, she said that the Tourism Ministry and Oman Air maintain cooperation to lure more tourist groups to the Sultanate. On his part, Ziyad bin Kareem al Harami, Oman Air CEO said that the company will launch new four destinations namely Damascus, Kuala Lumpur, Frankfort and Sanaa before the peak of the season this year. The flights that will be used on these routes are currently under inspection, he added. The ceremony was attended by a number of ministers, undersecretaries, public and private sector officials, representatives of travel and tourism companies and guests. ---Ends/MS/
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| 04 | Sayyid Asa’ad Receives Sri Lankan Ambassador | Top |
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Muscat, February 24 (ONA)--- On behalf of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said Sayyid Asa’ad bin Tariq al Said, Representative of His Majesty the Sultan received at his office today Meerasahib Mahroof, ambassador of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to the Sultanate to bid farewell at the end of his tour of duty as his country’s ambassador to the Sultanate. The ambassador expressed his thanks to His Majesty the Sultan for the support extended to him during his stay in the Sultanate and wished His Majesty good health, happiness and a long life and the Sultanate further progress and prosperity. On his part, Sayyid Asa’ad expressed his thanks to the ambassador for his noble feelings and wished him success in his future career and the Sri Lankan friendly people further progress. During the meeting, cordial relations between the two countries were reviewed. The meeting was attended by Saif bin Mohammed bin Salim al Abri, Secretary General of the office of H.M. the Sultan’s Representative. --- Ends/Kh
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| 05 | Brunei Darussalam Official Arrives in Sultanate | |
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Muscat, February 24 (ONA)--- Pehin Dato Lim Jock Seng, Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade at Brunei Darussalam and his accompanying delegation arrives here today on a several day official visit to the Sultanate. During the visit, the Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade at Brunei Darussalam will hold official talks with Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamoud al Busaidi, Foreign Ministry Secretary-General to discuss bilateral relations between the two countries and ways of developing and enhancing them. He will also hold meetings and consultations with a number of state senior officials. The guest was received by Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamoud al Busaidi, Foreign Ministry Secretary-General, a number of officials at the Foreign Ministry and the Brunei Darussalam ambassador to the Sultanate. --- Ends/Kh
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| 06 | Arab Labour Conference Activities Continue | Top |
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Sharm El Sheikh, February 24 (ONA)-- The proceedings of the 35th Arab Labour conference continued for the second successive day. The Sultanate’s delegation to the conference is led by Dr. Juma bin Ali al Juma, Manpower Minister. Participants pointed out that the effective solutions for unemployment should go beyond national efforts and that pan Arab cooperation and joint ventures are required in this respect. ------Ends/MS/
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Muscat, February 24 (ONA)--Royal Oman Police (ROP) said that its Anti Crime Department managed to arrest a group of individuals involved in a number of fraud operations. They used to lease the vehicles owned by individuals at tempting rates alleging that they are leasing them in favour big companies. They smuggled 300 vehicles outside the Sultanate. ROP added that it has received notifications of fraud by a number of citizens. After making the required search and investigation, a number of suspects were caught. The police found that they are working for fraud companies through a number of agents at the different parts of the Sultanate. The accused used to execute rent contracts for vehicle owners alleging that they will lease the vehicle for big companies against RO. 3500/– 5000 per contract. In other words, the vehicle will be leased for RO. 380 to 1000 per month for seven years, depending on the type of vehicle. -----Ends/MS/
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| 08 | Sultanate and Britain / Meeting | Top |
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Muscat, February 24 (ONA)- Maqbool bin Ali Sultan, Minister of Commerce and Industry received at his office today the CEO of the British based Trade and Investment Organization. The meeting reviewed bilateral friendly relations and means of boosting them especially in investment field. The Minister pointed out to the possibility of setting up joint ventures in service sector to cater for the needs of the mega projects that will be implemented in the Sultanate. They also discussed the possibility of benefiting from the British fishing companies in commercial fishing, setting up fish plants, use of modern IT and setting up ventures in the Sultanate. The meeting also dealt with the possibility of benefiting from the British tourism companies. The Minister proposed to organize an event for the British tourism companies. They also discussed the possibility of Oman Oil Company venturing in some investments in Britain . The meeting was attended by Noel Joseph Guckian, British ambassador to the Sultanate, a number of officials at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the guest’s accompanying delegation. -----Ends/MS/
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| 09 | Civil Service Council/ Meeting | Top |
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Saih al Barakat, February 24 (ONA)--- The Civil Service Council today held its first meeting of the year at the Royal Camp in at Saih al Barakat in the Wilayat of Manah under the chairmanship of Sayyid Ali bin Hamoud al Busaidi, Minister of the Diwan of Royal Court, Council Chairman. During the meeting, the council reviewed the listed topics on its agenda and all that referred to it from various ministries and governmental departments. ---Ends/Kh
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Muscat, February 24 (ONA) – The proceedings of the ‘printing and publication technology’ conference organized by Al Katkoot for International Conference L.L.C Company for three days will start at OCCI tomorrow (Monday). The opening ceremony will be held under the auspices of Salim bin Nasser al Maskari, Secretary General of the Higher Education Council. The three main themes of the conference are printing and publication technologies, the impact of printing and publication on media business and the impact of printing and publication technology on society. ------Ends/ MS/
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Deputy OCCI Meeting |
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Muscat, February 24 (ONA)- Jamil bin Ali Sultan, Deputy Chairman of OCCI received at OCCI premises today Pehin Dato Lim Jock Seng, second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade at Brunei Darussalam who is currently visiting the Sultanate. The meeting discussed scopes of cooperation, partnership between businessmen, investors and private companies in both countries especially both courtiers are implementing diversifications programmes and providing incentives to lure foreign investments to industrial sectors like petrochemicals and aluminum, in addition to tourism, transportation and IT. ---Ends/MS/
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Financial Affairs and Energy Resources Council - Meeting |
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Muscat, February 24 (ONA)--- The Financial Affairs and Energy Resources Council today held its first meeting of the year under the chairmanship of Ahmed bin Abdulnabi Macki, Minister of National Economy and Deputy Chairman of the Financial Affairs and Energy Resources Council. The council discussed a number of topics listed on its agenda, such as, a report on the main plan of the energy sector in the Sultanate results besides discussing the available alternatives to produce electrical energy in the Sultanate and other topics regarding the oil and gas sectors. The council also discussed topics related to the State General Reserve Fund and a memorandum on the fund activity and its investment results. ---Ends/Kh
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Salalah Tender Committee Meeting |
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Salalah, February 24 (ONA)-- Salalah Tender Committee held a meeting today under the chairmanship of Sheikh Ahmed bin Mubark bin Shimas, Acting Deputy Governor of Dhofar. The meeting discussed a number of topics listed on the agenda including minutes of the previous meeting No. 3/2008, opening bids for the tender No. 3/2008 related to air power line and ground cables from tension transformer plant 133/11 kv to Hanfeet farms in Dhofar governorate and tender No. 4/2008 related to consultancy services to provide engineers to supervise water and electricity supply for Salalah free zone. The committee also discussed a number of other topics listed on the agenda. ---Ends/MS/
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| Minister Responsible for Defence Affairs – Meeting | Top | |
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Muscat, Feb 24 (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 Andrew Kan, CEO of the British Based investment and Trade Organisation, who is currently visiting the Sultanate. During the meeting good relations between the two countries were reviewed and matters of common concern were discussed. ---Ends/k/fs
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SQU and Cambridge University/ Scientific Co-operation |
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Muscat, February 24 (ONA)--- Dr. Rawyah bint Saud al Busaidyah, Higher Education Minister and Chairperson of Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) Council presided over the lecture delivered by Dr. Alison Richard, Vice Chancellor of the Cambridge University on “Creativity Models in Education”. Earlier, Dr. Ali bin Saud al Bemani, Vice Chancellor of SQU met the Vice Chancellor of the Cambridge University and her accompanying delegation. During the meeting, a number of joint scientific and research issues were discussed. SQU Vice chancellor pointed to the aspects upon which the university is base, which are scientific research, international relations and academic programmes. On her part, the Vice Chancellor of Cambridge University praised the scientific progress of SQU. The guest’s visit came within the context of enhancing the scientific and research co-operation between SQU and the educational and research establishments in the United Kingdom (UK). ---Ends/KH
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| Money Laundering Workshop Concludes | Top | |
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Muscat, February 24 (ONA)--Proceedings of the Money Laundering workshop, which was organized by the Justice Ministry in collaboration with Lawyers and American Judges Association concluded today. Judges from the Sultanate and the sisterly Kingdom of Bahrain, General Prosecution members and a number of jurists and officials at the Justice Ministry took part in the workshop. The workshop discussed over two days a number of practical and legal axes, international initiatives, multilateral international co-operation and the international efforts to combat money laundering. It is worth-mentioning that the workshop was held within the Justice Ministry’s plan to train judges, which reflects developing human resources as the most important priorities that help to increasing productivity, developing work and gaining knowledge. ---Ends/Kh
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| H.M. the Sultan receives Ambassadors’ Credentials | Top | |
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Manah, Feb 24 (ONA)---His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said received at Hisn Al Shmoukh today the credentials of Hamoudah al Rayhani, as extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador of the Tunisian Republic to the Sultanate. During the meeting the ambassador conveyed to His Majesty the Sultan and the Omani people greetings and best wishes of President Zaine El-Adidine Ben Ali of the Republic of Tunisia and expressing his great honour and thanks to present his credentials to His Majesty. He stressed his keenness to enhance relations between the two countries in various fields in the interest of the Omani and Tunisian brotherly peoples. His Majesty welcomed the ambassador and thanked President Ben Ali 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 and wished him a happy stay in the Sultanate. His Majesty the Sultan also received the credentials of the extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Sultanate. During the meeting the ambassador conveyed to His Majesty the Sultan and the Omani people greetings and best wishes of King Bhumibol Adulyadej of the Kingdom of Thailand and expressed his great honour and delight to present his credentials to His Majesty. He affirmed that he would do his utmost to promote the good relations between the two countries in all fields in the joint interest of the Omani and Thai friendly peoples. His Majesty the Sultan welcomed the ambassador and thanked King Adulyadej 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 and wished him a happy stay in the Sultanate. His Majesty the Sultan also received the credentials of extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain to the Sultanate. During the meeting the ambassador conveyed to His Majesty the Sultan and the Omani people greetings and best wishes of King Juan Carlos of the Kingdom of Spain and expressed his delight and honour to present his credentials to His Majesty. He stressed that he would do his utmost efforts to enhance the good relations between the two countries and to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the interests of their friendly peoples. His Majesty the Sultan welcomed the ambassador and thanked King Carlos 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 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 |
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Commander of Brunei Darussalam Armed Forces arrives in the Sultanate |
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Muscat, Feb 24 (ONA)---Maj.Gen. Dato Badoka Siri Haji Yousuf, Commander of Brunei Darussalam Armed Forces arrived here today with his accompanying delegation on a several day official visit to the Sultanate. He was received upon his arrival by Lt.Gen. Ahmed bin Harith al Nabhani, Chief of Staff of the Sultan’s Armed Forces (SAF), Brigadier Awadh bin Mohammed al Mashikhi, Assistant Chief of Staff for Training and Joint Exercises, Commodore Salim bin Ali al Farsi, Chief of the Military Protocols and Public Relations and COSAF senior officers. --Ends/k/fs
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| 19 | Honoring the wilayats Winning at Agriculture Months Competition 2007 | Top |
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Bahla, Feb 24 (ONA)---Under the auspices of Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed al Isa’ee, Chairman of Majlis A'Shura a celebration was organized by the Ministry of Agriculture at Agricultural Development Department in Bahla today to honour the wilayats that won His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said’s Cup for Agriculture Months 2007. The ceremony was attended by a number of ministers, Walis of the Dakhiliyah region, Walis of the winning wilayats, honourable members of State Council, members of Majlis A'Shura and dignitaries of the Dakhiliyah region. Sheikh Majid bin Khalifa al Harthy, Wali of Bahla, delivered a speech in which he said that the agriculture months competition has shown the importance of cooperation between all sectors of our society to translate the motto selected by the Ministry into reality' towards a sustainable agriculture, livestock and fisheries development. Eng. Khalfan bin Saleh al Na’abi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Chairman of the Agriculture Months Competition delivered a speech in which he pointed out that honoring the wilayats that won at agriculture cup competition is a recognition of the role played by farmers and cattle breeders in securing the needs of foods and, achieving economic growth and ensuring food safety. The Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with the respective e-governmental departments started implementing the recommendations of the sustainable development for the agricultural sector seminar, which was held at Saih Al Rasiyat in the wilayat of Sumail in November 2007. The recommendations have been approved by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, who shows great interest and concern in the agricultural development and sustainability of natural resources, he added. The Ministry has started implementing a number of development programmes that use most advanced technologies to rationalize use of water, maximize the economic revenues and increase its contribution to GDP. The Ministry also implements a number of research programmes in the field of bio-combating, safe using of insecticides and others, he continued. A number of strategies are underway in collaboration with respective governmental bodies and international organizations including the national strategy to handle the problem of salination and sustainable development strategy for livestock wealth. At the end of the celebration, the chief guest honoured the winning wilayats namely A’Suwaiq in the field of agriculture and Bahla in the field of livestock wealth. He also honoured the wilayats of Manah, which came second at the agricultural sector, Mahdha that came third, Bideyah that came fourth and Dhank, which came fifth. He also honoured Taqah, which came second in livestock wealth field, A’Rustaq that came third, Khasab that came fourth, Yanqul a Masana that came fifth. He also honoured the executive committees for agricultural months events in the wilayats of Diba, Nakhl, Sohar, Shinas, Al Saninah, Saham, Adam, Bidbid, Mudhabi, Shaleem, Al Halanayat Islands and Ibra, in addition to honouring the distinguished projects. --Ends/MS/
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| Municipal Council Meeting | Top | |
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Muscat, February 24 (ONA)- The Municipal Council today held its meeting under the chairmanship of Eng. Abdullah bin Abbas bin Ahmed, Chairman of Muscat Municipality and Head of the Municipal Council. The council reviewed the efforts made to alleviate traffic congestion and ensure a breakthrough in a number of areas like closing some sub-roads at certain hours and adding new lanes that lead to some roundabouts. The council also review the progress of work at a number of vital roads and new crossroads like the Southern Express Highway, Middle Corridor, doubling of 18th November road, in addition to the new roundabouts and making improvements to Stars Cinema and Sheraton crossroads. The Council also reviewed a number of projects that will be designed and implemented like the truck roads which extends from Sultan Qaboos road to connect the Southern Express Way and Hamria road project in Al Wadi Al Kabir and the soon to begin doubling of Ghala/Ansab road. These solutions come as part of a comprehensive plan to expand, rise the affiance of roads and finding solutions for traffic congestion. The Council also reviewed the field study on the reasons behind wastewater burst at a number of areas in Muscat. The Council also reviewed a number of issues and recommendations referred from its committees and took appropriate decisions in their regard. ---Ends/MS/
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