MUSCAT, 5 March 2005 — German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder looked yesterday at ways to boost cooperation in technology, energy and tourism with the Sultanate of Oman.

At a meeting with Omani businessmen during his visit to Muscat, Schroeder raised the possibility “of cooperation with German firms in the technological field,” the official news agency ONA said.

Schroeder said the two countries wanted to strengthen cooperation in the information sector” and spoke of the “possibility of setting up a technological institute” in Oman.

He also raised possible cooperation between Germany and Oman in solar energy and oil and gas-related industries and tourism. Schroeder winds up his seven-nation regional tour today in the UAE.