Oman-UAE Higher Joint Committee/ Meeting

Muscat, March 9 (ONA)--- The Oman-UAE Higher Joint Committee's meeting began at Al Bustan Palace Hotel this evening under the chair of Sayyid Ali bin Hamoud al Busaidi, Minister of the Diwan of Royal Court from the Omani side and Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Presidential Affairs Minister in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) within the framework of the strong bilateral relations between the Sultanate and UAE and the good relations binding the governments and peoples of the two brotherly countries.

        Sayyid Ali bin Hamoud al Busaidi, Minister of the Diwan of Royal Court affirmed that holding the proceeding of the Committee in Muscat symbolizes the existing good relations between the two brotherly countries. It also highlights the Committee's determination to continue with  the good endeavours, while taking guidance from the directives and aspirations of the two wise leaderships to achieve constructive cooperation that serves the goals of economic development, social progress and development for citizens in both countries.

    While delivering a speech, Sayyid Ali appreciated the steps taken towards continuous coordination and consultation in the different fields of interest for both brotherly countries on all levels to contribute in achieving wider horizons of fruitful cooperation for the interests of both parties.

    At the same time, he expressed his satisfaction with the achievements made at the joint cooperation level. He affirmed the keenness of the government of

His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said to enhance cooperation ties and find the means that remove barriers before the joint action, if any, in a bid to achieve the prospective objectives.

    He hoped that the Committee's activities would be successful and expressed his thanks and appreciation to Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed al Nahyan, welcoming him and his accompanying delegation in the Sultanate.

     On his part, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al Nahyan expressed his optimism and delight for holding this meeting in the Sultanate.

     He conveyed greetings of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E), Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, Vice President of U.A.E, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai along with their best wishes of success to the Higher Joint Committee meeting, which will contribute to enhancing and expanding the horizons of existing cooperation between the two brotherly people.

    In his speech, he affirmed that he views the meeting as a chain in a series of meetings that aim at enhancing cooperation and integration between the two countries inspired with the directives of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said and Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan to make the relationship between the two countries a role model for the bilateral Gulf and Arab relations.

    He added that since the establishment of the joint committee, the relations between the two countries had made great strides, thanks to the support and keenness by the wise leadership in both countries and the shared aspirations.

    He added, while we hope this blessed march would continue, we are confident that the areas of cooperation are numerous, which entail continuous work to activate the activities of this committee, enhance its role as a framework for joint action. We hope that the recommendations and resolutions of this committee will receive due attention and to turn into reality that would be felt by the citizens of both countries.

    The Committee discussed a number of important issues for the activation of the joint cooperation between the two countries including the joint trade investment between commercial and economic companies to activate the aspects of economic partnership to cope with the growing global economic development. The Chambers of Commerce and Industry will discuss some  areas of cooperation in education, youth and social activities and human resources development.

    The most important issue discussed by the committee was facilitating the custom procedures as this will facilitate and increase the volume of reciprocal trade to serve interests of both countries.

    From the Omani side, the Committee comprises Sayyid Saud bin Ibrahim al Busaidi, Minister of Interior, Ahmed bin Abdul Nabi Macki, Minister of National Economy and Deputy Chairman of the Financial Affairs and Energy Resources Council, Maqbool bin Ali Sultan, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Dr. Khamis bin Mubarak al Alawi, Minister of Transport and Communications, Sheikh Saif bin Mohammed al Shabibi, Minister of Housing, Maj. Gen Salim bin Mussalam Qatan, Assistant Inspector General of Police and Customs, Sultan bin Salim al Habsi, Undersecretary of the Finance Ministry, Khalil bin Abdullah al Khunji, Chairman of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) and Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah al Qatabi, Sultanate's ambassador to UAE.

     From UAE side, the Committee comprises Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid al Qasmi, Foreign Trade Minister, Eng. Sultan Said al Mansouri, Minister of Economy, Dr. Anwar Mohammed Qarqash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Haneef Hassan Ali, Minister of Health, Dr. Saqr Ghabash Said, Labour Minister, Dr. Hadif bin Gawaan al Dhahri, Justice Minister, Dr. Rashid Ahmed bin Fahd, Minister of Environment, Ubaid Humaid al Tayir, State and Financial Affairs Minister, Lt. Gen Saif Abdullah al Shafar, Undersecretary of the Interior Ministry, Khalid Ghanim al Gaith, Assistant Foreign Minister for Economic Affairs, Dr. Matar  Hamid al Niyadi from the Border's Affairs Council, Mohammed Ali al Osaimi, UAE ambassador to the Sultanate and Khadim al Qubaisi, Chairman of the International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC).

 ---Ends/MS