Oman, Kuwait relations witnessing tangible development at all levels

Muscat - The fraternal bilateral relations between the Sultanate of Oman and the State of Kuwait are witnessing tangible development at all levels, which reflects the depth of the historical, cultural, political, and economic ties between the two brotherly countries, manifested in balanced joint diplomacy towards regional and international issues.

The 'state' visit of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to the State of Kuwait on Monday and his meeting with Sheikh Mishal al Ahmad al Jaber al Sabah, Emir of the State of Kuwait, represents a translation of the depth of the strong bilateral relations, built on Common goal and destiny.

The Sultanate of Oman and the State of Kuwait are considered role models in dealing with issues at the regional and global levels, as those who follow this diplomacy show a clear similarity in the political positions between the two brotherly countries.

In 2003, a joint committee was formed that works to strengthen and develop bilateral relations between the two countries in various fields, including commercial, industrial, cultural, scientific, tourism, scientific research, and artistic and media cooperation, to achieve more of their common aspirations for prosperity and development. It is headed by the foreign ministers of the two countries, and it contributed to the diversification of joint relations. In various fields.

Several agreements and memorandums of understanding have been signed in several fields, and economic relations are accelerating significantly, especially after undertaking joint projects in the Duqm Special Economic Zone, especially the Duqm Refinery.

Sayyid Badr bin Hamad al Busaidi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Sheikh Salem Abdullah al Jaber al Sabah, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait, with the participation of several senior officials from the two brotherly countries, during which bilateral cooperation relations were reviewed. distinguished relations between the two countries and expressed great satisfaction with the high level that these relations have reached in all fields, especially economic, commercial, and financial, and cooperation in the fields of energy, transport, communications, technology, higher education, and scientific research and cooperation in the fields of agriculture, fisheries, labor, and other fields, stressing their firm commitment to strengthening relations. Bilateral relations between the two countries, enhance cooperation in all fields to achieve the interests of the two peoples and open new horizons to achieve the aspirations of the leadership of the two countries and the aspirations of the two brotherly peoples.

Dr. Saleh bin Amer Al Kharousi, the Sultanate of Oman’s ambassador to the State of Kuwait, said that the visit of His Majesty the Sultan to Kuwait is of special importance as it is a “state” visit that strengthens the distinguished bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries in various fields.

He added that there is continuous coordination between the two brotherly countries in many positions on regional and international issues, as the foundations of the foreign policy of the two countries are similar, as they play important roles in building bridges with various parties while remaining consistent in their principled positions that call for peace and the rejection of violence.

He explained that the economic aspect receives great attention from both sides, as the Duqm Refinery was opened under the high patronage of His Majesty the Sultan and the Emir of the State of Kuwait in February. It is a joint investment worth $9 billion and is considered the largest joint Gulf investment.

The two countries are currently working on implementing joint economic projects, anticipating that the visit of His Majesty the Sultan to the State of Kuwait will witness the signing of some memorandums of understanding and executive programs in the economic, cultural, and artistic fields.

He pointed to the increase in the volume of trade exchange between the two countries and the volume of direct Kuwaiti investment in the Sultanate of Oman, most of which is concentrated in manufacturing industries, real estate activities, hotels, trade, and financial intermediation.

His Excellency stated that the number of Kuwaiti visitors to the Sultanate of Oman increased from 32,000 tourists in 2022 to 40,000 in 2023, noting that the Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman in Kuwait has coordinated with the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism and the Municipality of Dhofar to implement a promotional campaign for tourism in the Sultanate of Oman in May, which will continue for several days.

Dr. Muhammad Nasser Madi al Hajri, the Ambassador of the State of Kuwait accredited to the Sultanate of Oman, said that the “state” visit comes to strengthen the bonds of the distinguished relationship between the leaderships of the two countries and the two brotherly peoples.

Kuwaiti writer and journalist Ahmed Al-Jarallah, dean of the Kuwaiti press and editor-in-chief of Al-Seyassah and ArabTimes, saw the visit of His Majesty the Sultan is an “occasion to consolidate fraternal relations between the two brotherly peoples.”

He said in an interview with the Omani News Agency that the Omani-Kuwaiti relations are an example of the fraternal bond between two governments and two brotherly peoples, based on mutual respect and sincere cooperation, because these relations are deeply rooted in the memory of the two countries and the two peoples, and they have brought together many bonds and were consolidated by the keenness of their leaderships to strengthen and develop them.

Statistics indicate a significant increase in the volume of trade exchange between the Sultanate of Oman and the State of Kuwait, recorded an increase of 211 percent in 2023 RO876,721, 709, the end of 2023 compared to 2022, which was RO281,854,855.

Statistics showed that the volume of direct investments from the State of Kuwait in the Sultanate of Oman amounted to RO830,900,000 until the end of the fourth quarter of 2023. Statistics show that the value of Omani exports to the State of Kuwait for the year 2023 amounted to RO133,385,419, an increase of 24.2 percent compared to the year 2022, to RO107,416,735.

The total value of the Sultanate of Oman’s imports from the State of Kuwait during the past year was about RO669, 455, 697, compared to RO131 million, 213, 668 during 2022, meaning an increase of 410 percent.