A high-profile economic and business delegation, headed by Ahmed bin Abdulnabi Macki, minister of national economy and deputy chairman of the Financial Affairs and Energy Resources Council, visited the Syrian Republic Monday.
The Omani delegation included Dr. Abdulmalik bin Abdullah Al-Hinai, undersecretary of the Ministry of National Economy; Khalil bin Abdullah Al-Khonji, chairman of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry and several noted businessmen of the Omani-Syrian Business Council. The first session of talks of the Omani-Syrian Joint Committee was held on Tuesday under the chairmanship of Ahmed bin Abdulnabi Macki from the Omani side and Amer Husni Lutfi, minister of economy and commerce from the Syrian side.
The Omani-Syrian Joint Committee's talks concluded with the signing of a number of memorandums of understanding between the two countries that heralded a new and significant push forward for the cordial historical ties between the two countries. They expressed satisfaction over the far-reaching decisions the committee has taken for the benefit of the people of both countries. The two sides reaffirmed the necessity of enhancing mutual cooperation in the economic, investment, and scientific and technical fields as well as in all other relevant spheres.
The three core memorandums of understanding signed by the Joint Committee on Cooperation in the fields of planning, radio and TV and the conservation of environment are clear evidence of the fact that the two sides attach great importance to ties in the economic, trade and investment spheres as well as exchanges of expertise in different fields. The minutes of the meetings of the joint committee revealed agreements on cooperation in a number of areas such as industries, agriculture, fisheries and communications technology. The two sides also reviewed aspects of cultural cooperation and sought to ramp up cultural activities in both countries.
The two sides vowed to boost cooperation by way of duty-free zones, exchanges of expertise, information and visits; organizing specialized exhibitions for promoting industrial and agricultural products of both countries; promotion of exports; and increased cooperation in the customs, financial and banking spheres on top of cooperation in the fields of land, air and marine transport, underpinned by a thorough study on marine transportation of the Omani and Syrian products between the sea ports of the two countries.
Ahmed bin Abdulnabi Macki and his delegation paid official visits to Mohammed Al Hussein, Syrian minister of finance; and Abdullah Al-Dardari, deputy prime minister for economic affairs. During the two meetings they emphasized the role of the private sectors of both countries in increasing the volume of bilateral trade and establishing joint investment projects. The two countries agreed to encourage businessmen and proprietors of private companies and establishments to actively engage in this field so they can reap enormous benefits.
Mohammed Naji Autri, Syrian prime minister, also received Ahmed bin Abdulnabi Macki and his delegation and hailed the strong ties between the two countries; and most of all, he praised the wise policies set out by Sultan Qaboos bin Said. He pointed to the significance of the Omani role in the regional and international arenas, characterized as it is by wisdom and fairness, especially in political decisions.
Ahmed bin Abdulnabi Macki reaffirmed to the Syrian prime minister the Sultanate's keenness for further raising the level of trade and investment cooperation between the two countries. He also stressed the need for utilizing the capabilities and opportunities of each side to mutual benefit, specifically pointing to Syria's enormous capabilities that can be parlayed into expanding the volume of trade between the two countries.
- Essa bin Mohammed Al Zedjali is chairman and editor in chief Times of Oman.