The friendship relations between Belarus and the Sultanate of Oman have been around for more than 30 years during which we have been steadily fostering our relationship and exploring new opportunities for developing bilateral relations.
I visited your beautiful country for the first time in 2007, and the more I got to know Oman, the more I became convinced of the closeness of the mentalities of the two peoples despite thousands of kilometres separating us.
After overcoming many historical challenges, Minsk and Muscat focused on two priorities to ensure further stability:
First, and foremost building a state that is concerned with the social aspects in which caring for the human being turns from a mere slogan into a political track. Belarus had announced early that Belarus is a state of the people. In this aspect, Belarus is similar to the Sultanate of Oman, where the ambitious national plan Oman Vision 2040 lays the foundations for social welfare which indicates the deep strategic thinking of the Omani leadership that clearly cares for future generations.
The second priority is building conflict-free relations with all countries near and far regardless of their size, political weight and influence in international affairs. Belarus and the Sultanate of Oman, each in its region, are known for their efforts to ease tensions and undertake initiatives for peaceful negotiations. Life proves every day that investing in peace and security is the most important and wisest investment at the present time, it’s an investment that allows planning and allows an opportunity for development in all fields.
I am aware that the Sultanate of Oman has opted for a strategic approach in boosting the non-oil sector’s contribution to the national economy. This approach reflects the wise vision of the Omani leadership and judging by my experience I can say that the main resource of any country is its people. It is through hard work that Belarus was able to overcome the enormous political and economic pressures that our country is experiencing and achieve success. The people are the backbone of any state and the real wealth of any nation lies in its intellectual potential.
I am confident that the deepening of Belarusian-Omani relations could become a new growth axis for the two economies and an incentive for the development of human capital. This has become evident by the current level of political contacts and the foundations we have set up. However, there is also a huge unrealized potential. Trade and economic relations are the solid foundation on which strong bilateral cooperation can be established.
Belarus can supply the Sultanate of Oman with products such as mechanical engineering, chemical industry, food and light industry. Belarus possesses a world-class petrochemical industry.
The high quality of Belarusian medicine and advanced medical treatment technologies have become another trademark of the country. Our infant mortality rate is one of the lowest in the world, and organ transplantation in Belarus is very advanced. Patients come to Belarus from all over the world seeking medical treatment. Therefore, we are ready to provide our Omani friends with the opportunity to be treated by highly professional doctors and cooperate in training medical personnel and exchange experience.
Besides, Belarus can share its experience with the Sultanate of Oman in the field of modern technologies from electric buses and software solutions for smart cities to drones, nanomaterials and satellites.
Belarusian exporters are ready to participate in the development of new markets within the framework of the Omani National Programme for attracting foreign investment.
Our governments are currently working to create the most comfortable travel conditions possible, and there are plans to open a direct air link between the two countries in the near future.
Aleksandr Lukashenko, President of the Republic of Belarus
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