Oman, Singapore hold talks to boost relations

Singapore: Oman and Singapore held their annual session of political consultations at Singapore.
The session was chaired from the Sultanate by Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamoud Al Busaidi, Secretary General of the Foreign Ministry whilst it was chaired from the Singaporean side by Albert Chua, Second Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The consultations touched on fields of the bilateral cooperation and means of following and enhancing them, as well as promoting various opportunities of partnership, developing and diversifying interests particularly in the economic and trade areas.
The two sides reviewed outcomes of the Joint Committee's deliberations between the two countries.
They agreed on continuing to encourage and support investment opportunities, exchanging expertise and knowledge in response to requirements of the labour market and the scientific and technological progress.
The two sides affirmed the importance being accorded by the two countries to developing human resources, skills and infrastructure, as well as diversifying sources of income, education, technical and vocational training.
The two sides also stressed the importance of maximising the benefit from opportunities provided by the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the GCC countries and Singapore, which already has come into force after being approved by all countries.
At the political level, both sides reviewed a range of regional and international issues of common concern. They also exchanged viewpoints on these issues within the framework of the joint keenness to exert all possible efforts in supporting the endeavors targeting to solve issues via dialogue and understanding, as well as utilising all peaceful means to achieve peace and stability, in addition to enhancing cooperation, growth and peace for all.
Meanwhile, Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamoud Al Busaidi, Secretary General of the Foreign Ministry and his accompanying delegation met with Dr.
Mohamad Maliki bin Osman, Senior Minister of State at the Ministry of Defence & Ministry of Foreign Affairs, K. Shanmugam, Minister of Home Affairs, Minister of Law and Masagos Zulkifli, Minister of Environment and Water Resources.
As per an invitation of the Singaporean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sayyid Badr gave a lecture at the Diplomatic Academy of Singapore on the Omani Foreign Policy before a group of Singaporean officials and diplomats affiliated to the Academy.
After the lecture, Sayyid Badr replied to several questions on challenges and opportunities in the Middle East and the Indian Ocean Region.
The session of political consultations and meetings were attended from the Omani side by Sheikh Zakriya bin Hamad Al Sa'adi, Consul General of the Sultanate in Singapore, Abdulaziz bin Moosa Al Kharousi, Deputy Head of the Secretary General Office Department for Programs and Liaison whilst it was attended from the Singaporean side by Teng Theng Dar, Singaporean non-resident ambassador to the Sultanate and Samuel Tan, Director of Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia.