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Oman, Morocco to cooperate in trade, social and cultural fields

MUSCAT — The third session of the Omani-Moroccan Joint Committee meetings began at Grand Hayat Hotel yesterday.

The Omani side at the session was headed by Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Al Bakri, manpower minister; while the Moroccan side was headed by Jamal Aghmani, Moroccan minister of employment and vocational training.

During his opening speech, the manpower minister welcomed the head of the Moroccan delegation, wished the committee success in activating aspects of cooperation between the two countries with the aim of adopting viable projects during the coming period.

He said the previous meetings and mutual visits between the committee officials having laid down the foundation of a fruitful pattern of cooperation between the two countries.

A number of MoUs and joint cooperation agreements were signed during the meetings, he added. A number of projects are under discussion, including those connected with economic and trade, for their good outcome for both countries, he said.

“Besides, we have the scientific, cultural, technical and economic ventures in general and higher education sectors, scientific research, tourism, agriculture and fisheries, promoting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) among others,” Shekih Bakri added.

“The Omani side very much hopes that the Businessmen Council will activate the joint trade cooperation, hold joint meetings to come out with joint trade ventures that would enhance the two countries’ trade and economic relations,” Sheikh Barki said.

Concluding his speech, Sheikh Bakri hoped that the Moroccan side would meet Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) officials in order to establish the joint Businessmen Council.

He said he is looking forward to seeing the recommendations made at the second session of the committee’s meeting held in Morocco in December 2006 being implemented in respect of exempting the Omani commodities exports to Morocco from the customs duty. On his part, Jamal Aghmani said the joint Omani-Moroccan Committee reflected the royal will of both countries’ leaderships who pay much attention to bilateral cooperation.

The meeting is a good opportunity for evaluating what has been achieved so far in terms of major strides taken in the cooperation march between the two countries, besides exploring new horizons that promote relations level between the two countries in economic, trade, social and cultural fields, he added.

The Moroccan minister expressed his satisfaction for the achievements made, considering the economic, cultural and HR capacities in both countries.

He hailed the agreements previously signed by both the countries, such as regularisation of air transportation services and tourism cooperation agreements. He also commended the visits made by officials of both countries and good results realised which have enhanced bilateral relations. A number of agreements and MoUs will be signed today between the two countries, including an MoU on media area, twin ship agreement between Avicenna University Medical Centre in Rabat and Royal Hospital:, signing an agreement on cultural cooperation related to restoration of historical and archaeological buildings.

Pact signed on Joint Businessmen Council: Khalil bin Abdullah Al Khonji, chairman of OCCI, also held talks with Jamal Aghmani yesterday.

During the meeting, Al Khonji stressed on the need to strengthen the economic relations between the two countries and the role of the private sector in economic development, hoping that the Omani-Moroccan Businessmen Council would achieve its goal despite the global financial crisis.

Both sides discussed ways to speed up the procedures in joint investment in economic fields.

An agreement on establishing Omani-Morocco Joint Businessmen Council was also signed by the two sides. The meeting was attended by the Moroccan ambassador to the Sultanate, members of the Omani-Moroccan Business Council and members of the Moroccan delegation.

Badr meets minister: Meanwhile, Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamoud Al Busaidi, secretary-general of the Foreign Ministry, also received Jamal Aghmani at his office.

The two sides discussed enhancing and developing economic, investment, industrial, cultural and educational cooperation, up to the level of the political relations established between the two countries.

The meeting was attended from the Omani side by Ahmed bin Yousef Al Harthy, head of the Arab Department; Talib bin Mairan Al Raisi, head of the Economic and Technical Cooperation Department; Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Farsi, the Sultanate’s ambassador to Morocco and a number of officials at the Foreign Ministry, the Moroccan ambassador to the Sultanate and the delegation accompanying the guest.

Visits Grand Mosque: The Moroccan minister visited Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, where he toured the mosque’s facilities, its architectural design and magnificent Islamic engravings.