-“Sultanate of Oman is strategically located & enjoys an unspoiled culture”: Oman Amb. Alharthy
On the occasion of its 46th National Day of Oman, Oman Amb. Alharthy
contributed his article into The NDNnews & Seoulcity magazine
(www.ndnnews.co.kr). -Ed.
"Sultanate of Oman is strategically located & enjoys an unspoiled
culture" Sultanate of Oman is nowadays celebrating its 46th National
Day, the 18th of November anniversary. The National Day represents an
opportunity for the Omani people to express their deep thanks and
gratitude to the builder of modern Oman, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos
Bin Said. It is also an opportunity to ponder on the achievements and
objectives of various types of national action. The renaissance strategy
covered all aspects of life and its outreach prevailed at all levels—on the
domestic front and on external relations, thus offering Oman an
admirable status among sisterly and friendly countries in this region and
in the world at large.
Oman Amb. Alharthy(center) receives congratulations from envoys during the opening ceremony. |
Sultanate of Oman is strategically located on the far southeastern coast
of the Arabian Peninsula with maritime borders on three seas: the
Arabian Gulf, the Sea of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Oman
population about 4.4 million and has an areaof 309,000 square
Kilometers, with a coastline more than 3,165 Kilometers long.
Oman history goes back to 5000 years ago. Its strategic location
between the east and the west was a major part for being trade route.
Therefore, Oman enjoyed an active relationship with the
civilizations of the ancient world, as well as, being a vital transit
point on the East-West Silk Route. Oman also is known as the land
of the legendary the Sindbad the sailor and the country of Luban,
the "frankincense".
Oman enjoys an unspoiled culture and traditional lifestyle
in almost every aspect of life with rich cultural values. The Royal
Orchestra of Oman is considered one of the best worldwide and
the recently Royal Opera House has been opened as an example
of appreciation of Art. Oman exerts tangible efforts in enhancing
the concept of coexistence and tolerance. Oman has guaranteed
religious and intellectual freedom to citizens and residents alike.
Oman Investment Free Zone |
Oman is a beautiful country with many appealing sites and destinations.
Oman’s numerous tourist attractions include forts and castles, unique
geological structure and landscape, archaeological sites, museums,
traditional markets, stunning natural beauty, a wide variety of different
types of terrain, climate and environment, and traditional arts and crafts.
All these features, along with Oman's rich heritage and culture and
security, stability, and spirit of tolerance, make Oman an attractive
destination for tourists, Another tourist attraction in Oman is
Salalah, in the southern part of Oman with its exceptional weather
during summer (Jun-p) where monsoon rain drizzle throughout
the season, the mountains, valleys and plains are cloaked in greenery
and the springs overflow with water which turns the weather cool
and nice compared to other part of the country and neighboring countries.
Gas- Sur |
The government is working to improve the country’s tourist infrastructure by providing additional services, hotels and
hotel apartments, preparing the airports and seaports to receive large
numbers of tourists and establishing tourist megaprojects. These
initiatives have made Oman a highly popular tourist destination. Recent
reports showed that Oman has been selected by Lonely Planet among
the top ten recommended places to visit in the world in 2017.
Oman foreign policyis based on building bridges of friendship and
cooperation with various countries and peoples, on the basis of
mutual respect and common interests, and by always standing to
the side of right and justice, and noninterference in the internal affairs
of others.
Moreover, continuing work with the countries of the world to spread
the values of love and peae, and resolve international
conflicts and disputes through means of dialogue, tolerance and
negotiation, in order to prevail security and stability for everyone,
and enjoy the rewards of all the peoples of the earth. These policies
have earned Oman respect and admiration of the international community.
Riam Park -Mutrah |
Sultanate of Oman has been enhancing efforts for peace and continuously
supporting peaceful initiatives in various regional disputes, working
for rapprochement so that these issues could see a successful end
that guarantees the intactness of countries
and the interests of their peoples on the basis of participation, justice and
equality.
Oman also contributed to finding and releasing foreign hostages who
went missing in war zones. This is in addition to Oman’s initiatives to rescue the lives of many other people through its
reception of those injured in wars and providing them with treatment.
Oman spares no effort in fostering peace, security and stability in its
surroundings and its benign efforts and endeavors succeeded many
times in rapprochement of views and overcoming disputes between sisterly
and friendly states in the region and beyond. This earned Oman more
respect and international recognition at all levels.
Oman enjoys stable social, political and economic system. The Omani
economy has been developed through a series of developmental plan;
this was further reinforced in 1996 by unveiling thevision2020 of Oman.
This long-run plan outlines the economic and social goals of the country
and sets out a framework for achieving sustainable development that
further strengthen the county's integration into the global economy.
The main policies of the vision include economic policy diversification
of the economy, human resource development, enhance the
standard of living, expand the role of private sector, openness to
the world’s markets is the cornerstone of Oman’s economic policy and attract foreign
investments.
Oman’s banking sector, which comprises the Central Bank of Oman and
a number of commercial and specialist banks, plays a vital role in
maintaining a balanced financial system and ensuring economic stability.
Middel East & Arab envoys gather at the Oman table during the fete. |
Oman has earned top rankings in the international community on
competitiveness, economic freedom, and doing business indicators,
while maintaining multiple cost advantages
Oman Vision 2020 seeks to provide a stable framework for the Omani
economy, reduce reliance on oil, diversify sources of income, stimulate
and develop the private sector, develop the country’s human resources and attract more investments.
Oman’s geographic location has helped it to attract investment
and establish Industrial estate, economic and free zones, particularly in
its seaports and heavy and petrochemical industries
The free zones offer facilities and incentives for investors such as
tax exemptions, simplification of procedures, the free use of currencies,
exemption of revenues from income tax and other features. Free zones
are gateways for attracting investment as well as local and foreign capital.
Duqm Special Economic Zone (SEZAD ) includes the port of Duqm
and a ship repair dry dock. SEZAD offers a variety of incentives to
investors. These include a 30year income tax exemption (renewable),
exemption from customs tax for goods imported to the SEZAD
from abroad and for goods exported from SEZAD, a 50-year land development (usufruct) right, also renewable, and it is also
allowed that the full capital of a project is owned by a non-Omani entity. Investors get all sorts of permits, clearance and
approvals through the SEZAD’s one-stop-shop that offers various incentives to SEZAD investors. Recently,
SEZAD signed a cooperation and land development agreement
for the setting up of the Oman-China Industrial City at Duqm, with its investments standing
at $10.7 billion. The industrial city will accommodate 35 projects on
an area of 1,172 hectares.
In the context of economic diversification, a pioneering national
programme Tanfeedh (or execution was launched recently.
Tanfeedh seeks revolutionize specific plans, programmes and policies
across the various economic sectors in accordance with
well-studied and executable visions, with major focus on the five
main economic projects of converting industries, tourism, logistics,
mining and fisheries. Tanfeedh follows up all work requirements,
right from supplies through financing and employment to the
labour market needs.
Within the view that the 9th Five Year Plan (2016-2020) is the last phase of the Omani economic vision (Oman 2020),
it is understood that what will be achieved within the framework of
Tanfeedh will constitute a solid foundation for the future and will
pave the way for the next Strategic Vision (Oman 2040), which is being
drafted now. Oman-Korea relationsdate back more than a thousand
years, when Omani merchants met their Korean counterparts on
their way to China during Shilla dynasty way back
during Silk Road. In modern times, OmanKorea diplomatic relations
was established in 1974. Since then, OmanKorea relations witnessed
a remarkable development in various fields and the trade
volume has increased and even expected to double in the coming
years due to large engagements and investment opportunities and
partnership between Oman and Korea.
Korea is regarded a major trading partner of Oman, and both countries
engage in
numerous economical exchanges and cooperation. Oman provides
large quantities of oil and LNG to Korea. On the other hand, Korea
exports many industrial products, including automobiles, vessels, hi-tech electronics and electric goods to Oman.
Moreover, many Korean companies such as GS, Daewoo, Hyundai,
Doosan, Hanjin, Dealim POSCO, and others are contributing to the
development of Omani infrastructure and other major projects. To
reflect the strong ties, an exchange visit from both
sides has taken place. Oman also very often participate in most
international events and conferences which take place in Korea
throughout the year The Oman-Korea JointCommittee is playing a pivotal role in promoting and
developing the cooperation between the two countries. The fifth
round of the joint committee was held in Seoul onNov 1-4, 2016.
During this round many topics were discussed including cooperation
in trade, investment, scientific fields and means of promoting
them, as well as exchanging viewpoints on matters of concern to
the two friendly countries. In line of the meeting Oman investment
seminar was held in KCCI with attendance of many Korean companies.
The briefing highlighted various investment opportunities and
incentives in Oman including the investment opportunities in Duqum
free economic zone and other economic zones and industrial estates.
The investment opportunities are available mainly in manufacturing,
mining, tourism, healthcare, education, energy, technology
and others. Also the economic zone offers many incentives including
tax exemption, ownership and others.
Accordingly, the potential of cooperation between Oman and Korea is
wide and spacious. Sultanate of Oman welcomes the Korean
investments particularly in the field of industries, tourism, logistics,
mining and fisheries, as well as, technology, health care, education,
energy, water, environment, and renewable energy. In addition,
the areaof cooperation is widely opened to enter into many joint
ventures projects and investment whether in Oman or in Korea or
any other country, and it is hoped that the private sector will play
a major role in this partnership.
In that, we would like to invite Korean companies to take the
opportunity to participate in these projects and investments. The
embassy is keen on providing support and cooperation to Korean
companies and looks forward their participation and presence in Oman.
In closing, On the occasion of the 46thNational day of Oman,
I would like to express my thanks and appreciation to the Korean
people and government for their cooperation, kindness, generosity
and hospitality they have extended to us since our arrival in this
great and beautiful country. Thanks and appreciation also extended
to the sponsor and NDN News who have made this supplement possible.
Last but not least, I would like to invite the Korean people to visit
Oman, explore the culture, tourism land marks, adventure and also
invite the Korean companies to participate in the investment opportunities
of various projects. Iam confident that our relations and cooperation
in the coming years will witness further enhancement and development.
Ultimately, my heartfelt wishes to Korea to further success and
progress and for the Oman-Korea relation further development and
prosperity.
<Oman National Day Reception>:
Oman National Day reception, held in a downtown area luxurious
FourSeasons Hotel Seoul on Nov. 21st noon, was a
venue which confirms bilateral ties dating back to over one
thousand years ago by Oman Amb. Alharthy & Spokesperson
& deputy minister Cho Jun-hyck for Public Relations from
MOFAT at the same time.
Mrs. Azza Alharthy(center), spouse of Oman Amb., takes photo with wives of diplomatic missions. in Seoul during the opening ceremony to commemorate Oman 46th anniversary of its National Day. |
Oman envoy Alharthy asked for Korean companies to explore
their business opportunities in Oman and deputy minister Cho
replied that Korean government expects for the cooperation of
the two nations to be enlarged from past energy,
construction etc. to diverse areas including health medicine,
education and public safety cooperation etc.