Ashraf Sddiqui
Doha
Ambassador of Oman to Qatar HE Sayyid Ammar Abdullah Al Busaidi has said that the strong relations between Oman and Qatar are built on solid foundations guided by the wise directives of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq and the Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
He was speaking at a grand gala reception to celebrate the 54th National Day of Oman, on Monday.
Present on the occasion were Speaker of Shura Council HE Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim, Minister of Endowment and Islamic Affairs HE Ghanim bin Shaheen Al Ghanim, Minister of Communications and Information Technology HE Mokammed bin Ali Al Mannai, Minister of Municipality HE Abdullah bin Hanad Al Attiyah, Minister of Transport HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Mohanned Al Thani, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs HE Sultan bin Saad AlMuraikh, Director of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs HE Ibrahim bin Yousif Fakhro, Dean of Ambassadors and Ambassador of Eritrea HE Ali Ibrahim Ahmed, ambassadors, dignitaries, guests, and members of the Omani community.
Busaidi said Qatar ranks sixth among top foreign investors in Oman, with investments exceeding $1 billion and bilateral trade reaching $1.1 billion in 2023. He added, “We take pride in our close partnership spanning various fields from economy and trade to culture, health, and education.”
Highlighting the significance of the celebrations, the Omani envoy said, “It is a privilege to commemorate this historic national anniversary, reflecting on the achievements of Oman throughout its long journey, particularly since the blessed Omani renaissance began in 1970.”
“This renaissance, established by the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said and continued today by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, moves forward with unwavering determination toward a bright future,” he added.
Busaidi said that Oman maintains a steadfast foreign policy founded on dialogue and tolerance, consistently promoting peace and harmony between nations.
“In this context, our country persistently urges the international community to intensify efforts to halt military escalation in the Middle East, calling on all parties to adhere to international law and UN principles, respecting peace and justice for all,” he said.
Referring to the regional conflict and the Israeli aggression on Palestine, he said Oman maintains its firm position supporting Palestinian rights under international law, including Israeli withdrawal from territories occupied since 1967 and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
“We reiterate our call for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Gaza, lifting the blockade on innocent civilians, and ensuring safe humanitarian corridors,” he stressed.
On Omani progress, the envoy said, “Oman Vision 2040 represents our ambitious roadmap for sustainable development, focusing on human resources, technology, education, healthcare, and social services. Our economic policies aim to achieve sustainability and growth through the Medium-Term Financial Plan (2021-2025), which has contributed to improving Oman’s credit rating internationally.”
He added that Oman is positioning itself as a leader in clean energy and hydrogen, with projects targeting carbon neutrality by 2050.
“We have allocated extensive areas for green hydrogen projects, aiming to produce over one million tonnes of hydrogen by 2030, reaching 8 million tonnes by 2050. These projects represent a qualitative shift in the green economy, diversifying energy sources and reducing dependence on fossil fuels,” he added.
“As we move forward with confidence, we draw strength from our proud history and enduring values. Oman remains committed to contributing to global peace and stability through dialogue, understanding, and international cooperation.”
