| Azlan Othman |
THE Sultanate of Oman and Brunei Darussalam have witnessed steady growth in bilateral relations, highlighted by fruitful results of cooperation in various fields for the past 32 years.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Hashel bin Rashed bin Hashel Al-Maskari, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to Brunei Darussalam, said this last night at a reception to mark the 46th National Day of the Sultanate of Oman at The Empire Hotel & Country Club.
Present on behalf of the Government of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam at the reception was the Minister of Energy and Industry at the Prime Minister’s Office, Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Awang Haji Mohammad Yasmin bin Haji Umar.
The ambassador added that in March this year, a delegation from Brunei headed by the Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade II, Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Dewa Dato Seri Setia Lim Jock Seng along with Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Awang Haji Mohammad Yasmin, paid a visit to the Sultanate of Oman.
They met several Omani ministers, and visited various institutions that cater for economic diversification, energy and industry, while also taking part in the 16th Bilateral Consultative Meeting, between the two ministries of foreign affairs.
The ambassador also mentioned that they were looking forward to the upcoming Bilateral Consultative Meeting, which is scheduled to take place in Muscat in December. Oman also participated in the Brunei Book Fair last February.
Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Awang Haji Mohammad Yasmin bin Haji Umar, Minister of Energy and Industry at the Prime Minister’s Office; Sheikh Ahmed bin Hashel bin Rashed bin Hashel Al-Maskari, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to Brunei Darussalam and their spouses, along with ambassadors of the GCC countries, during the cake-cutting ceremony. – BAHYIAH BAKIR
On recognising the importance of enhancing people-to-people understanding, an Omani Publications Corner was officially launched on March 2016, at the Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) Library. Its launching was the fruit of cooperation between the embassy and UNISSA.
The Government of the Sultanate of Oman continues to sponsor students from Brunei to study Arabic Language in Oman. This year, the second batch consisting of three students from UNISSA, was sponsored by the Government of the Sultanate of Oman, to study Arabic Language for eight weeks, at Sultan Qaboos College for Teaching Arabic Language to Non-Native Speakers.
In addition, the Government of Brunei Darussalam has sent four students from the Faculty of Arabic Language and Civilisation of UNISSA to study for one academic year at the College of Arts and Social Sciences of Sultan Qaboos University.
Oman and Brunei also conduct defence-oriented training courses. Oman has sent officers in the past five years to participate in the command and staff course, organised by the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Command and Staff College.
In the field of energy, the 1st Brunei-Oman Joint Energy Seminar took place in Brunei, on November 2014.
The 2nd Brunei-Oman Joint Energy and Industry Seminar will take place in Muscat next month during which the two sides are expected to share their experiences and expertise.
A group of businessmen and women representing 21 companies will be participating in this mission to Oman.
“I am pleased to inform that a cultural event, known as ‘Tolerance, Understanding, Coexistence: Oman’s Message of Islam’ will be jointly organised in Brunei by our two governments, to further strengthen the cultural exchange between the two Sultanates.
The event will take place starting today until December 1 at Jerudong International School (JIS),” the ambassador added.
At the end of the ceremony, the ambassador and spouse accompanied the guest of honour and spouse to cut the anniversary cake in the presence of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) ambassadors accredited in Brunei Darussalam.
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