Bahrain : His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa held at Sakhir Palace today a meeting with His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman, in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and members of the two delegations.
They reviewed solid historical relations and ways of bolstering them as well as regional and international issues of common interest.
HM the King held an official discussion session with HM the Sultan of Oman, in the presence of HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
At the outset of the session which was attended by members of the two delegations, His Majesty welcomed HM Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman, hailing the visit which embodies the deep-rooted and distinguished Bahraini-Omani relations.
HM the Sultan of Oman expressed thanks and appreciation to HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa for the gracious welcome and hospitality.
Both sides reviewed deep-rooted fraternal relations and ways of bolstering bilateral cooperation, stressing continuous keenness on further consolidating bilateral ties to achieve mutual interests and aspirations.
HM the King commended the efforts of HM Sultan Haitham bin Tarik in promoting relations between the two brotherly countries, lauding comprehensive development in Oman and its pioneering role in boosting the GCC and pan-Arab work.
HM Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman expressed happiness over visiting the Kingdom of Bahrain and meeting HM the King, wishing Bahrain further progress and prosperity.
Both leaders witnessed the signing protocols of the following agreements:
A cooperation agreement between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Sultanate of Oman in the security field to enhance the competence of the security bodies in both countries. It was signed by Interior Minister General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa and his Omani counterpart Sayyid Hamoud bin Faisal Al Busaidi.
A cooperation agreement in the field of maritime transport and seaports between the government of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the government of the Sultanate of Oman. The agreement aims to enhance cooperation in the field of maritime transport and freedom of navigation and to contribute to the development of maritime transport between both countries. It was signed by Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications Mohammed bin Thamer Al Ka’abi and Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Bader bin Hamad Al Busaidi.
A cooperation agreement between Bahrain Centre for Strategic, International and Energy Studies (Derasat) and Sultan Qaboos University to boost cooperation in the field of studies and research, exchange expertise and coordinate in organizing conferences and symposiums. It was signed by Derasat Chairman Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa and Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Bader bin Hamad Al Busaidi.
An agreement to establish a Bahraini-Omani Investment Holding Company. It aims to establish a joint holding company between the two countries in the investment field. It was signed by Chairman of Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sameer bin Abdullah Nass and Chairman of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry Redha bin Juma’a Al Saleh.
Granting the Sultanate of Oman the right of sovereignty over the information of its subscribers. It aims to develop, improve and sustain the quality of the electronic services and the cloud computing centers in the Kingdom of Bahrain for the beneficiaries, and to provide the appropriate environment to attract more foreign investments to the region. The agreement was signed by Foreign Minister Dr. Abdellatif bin Rashid Al Zayani and his Omani counterpart Sayyid Bader bin Hamad Al Busaidi.
Granting the Sultanate of Oman the status of an approved partner for the International Center for Sea and Air Cargo Services. The agreement aims to develop economic and trade relations between the two countries, allowing companies in the Sultanate of Oman to obtain accreditation as an operator of this service with granting them a number of privileges. It was signed by Minister of Industry and Commerce Zayed bin Rashid Al Zayani and Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Bader bin Hamad Al Busaidi.
HM the King and HM the Sultan of Oman have blessed the signing of the agreements which will contribute to further developing cooperation between the two brotherly countries.
Then, the following memoranda of understanding were signed by both countries:
A MoU between the Information and eGovernment Authority in the Kingdom of Bahrain and Oman’s Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology. It was signed by Interior Minister General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa.
A MoU between the Bahraini government, represented by the Ministry of Municipalities and Agriculture Affairs, and the Omani government, represented by the Interior Ministry, to boost cooperation in the municipal field. It was signed by Foreign Minister Dr. Abdellatif bin Rashid Al Zayani.
A MoU between Bahrain’s Higher Education Council and Oman’s Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation. It was signed by Education Minister Dr. Majid bin Ali Al Noaimi.
A MoU between Bahrain’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce and Oman’s Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion to protect competitiveness and prevent monopoly. It was signed by Minister of Industry and Commerce Zayed bin Rashid Al Zayani.
A MoU between the National Space Science Agency and Oman’s Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology. It was signed by Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications Mohammed bin Thamer Al Ka’abi.
A MoU between the government of Bahrain, represented by the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications and the Omani government, represented by the Civil Aviation Authority, to boost cooperation in air navigation. It was signed by Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications Mohammed bin Thamer Al Ka’abi.
A MoU between the Ministry of Social Development in Bahrain and the Ministry of Social Development in Oman. It was signed by Social Development Minister Osama bin Ahmed Khalaf Al Asfoor.
A MoU between Bahrain National Museum and Oman National Museum. It was signed by Information Minister Dr. Ramzan bin Abdullah Alnoaimi.
A MoU between the Labour Fund (Tamkeen) and Oman’s Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority. It was signed by Minister of Cabinet Affairs Hamad bin Faisal Al Maliki.
A MoU between the Isa Cultural Centre and Oman’s National Records and Archives Authority to boost cooperation in protecting historical documents. It was signed by Deputy Chairman, Executive Director of the Isa Cultural Centre Dr. Shaikh Khalid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa.
An executive programme between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs in both countries for the years 2023-2024. It was signed by Foreign Minister Dr. Abdellatif bin Rashid Al Zayani.
An executive programme for the memo on agricultural cooperation. It was signed by Foreign Minister Dr. Abdellatif bin Rashid Al Zayani.
An executive programme to activate the memorandum of understanding between the Ministries of Education in both countries on enhancing educational cooperation in the two academic years 2022-2023 and 2023-2024. It was signed by Education Minister Dr. Majid Al Noaimi.
An executive programme for the memo signed by the Ministry of Oil and Environment in Bahrain and the Environment Authority in Oman to boost environmental cooperation. It was signed by Minister of Oil and Environment Dr. Mohammed bin Mubarak bi Daina.
An executive programme for cooperation in the youth field between Bahrain’s Ministry of Youth and Sport Affairs and Oman’s Ministry of Culture, Sport and Youth, for the years 2023-2025. It was signed by Minister of Youth and Sport Affairs Ayman bin Tawfeeq Al Moayyed.
An executive programme between Oman’s Ministry of Culture, Sport and Youth and Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities for the years 2023-2026. It was signed by Minister of Information Dr. Ramzan bin Abdullah Alnoaimi.
An executive programme on tourism cooperation between the government of Bahrain, represented by the Ministry of Tourism, and the Omani government, represented by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, for the years 2022-2026. It was signed by Minister of Tourism Fatima bint Jafar Al Sairafi.
An agreement regarding the remote trading of brokerage companies through the electronic trading system (Tabadul Hub) between Bahrain Stock Exchange Company, Bahrain Clear Company, Muscat Stock Exchange Company and Muscat Clearing and Depository Company. It was signed by Bahrain Stock Exchange Chief Executive Shaikh Khalifa bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa.
HM the King then bestowed upon HM the Sultan of Oman the Medal of Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa-Excellent Class “The Necklace”, in appreciation of his efforts to bolster Bahraini-Omani relations and develop joint cooperation.
HM Sultan Haitham bin Tarik also conferred on HM the King the Oman Order – First Class in recognition of his pioneering role in strengthening brotherly ties and developing Bahraini-Omani cooperation.
Commemorative gifts were also exchanged on this occasion.
HM the King hosted a dinner banquet in honour of HM the Sultan of Oman and the accompanying delegation.