Izah Azahari
Continuous consultation and coordination will further advance Oman-Brunei Darussalam relations in investment, education and other related fields, which will bring about fruitful cooperation overall.
Omani Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Sheikh Ahmed bin Hashel-Al Maskari highlighted this during the launch of the Sultanate of Oman-Brunei Darussalam Cooperation Dialogue at the Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) Library yesterday.
Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah officiated the opening as the guest of honour.
Jointly organised by the Embassy of Oman in Brunei Darussalam and UBD, the three-day dialogue runs until tomorrow.
It is being held following the third Brunei Darussalam-Oman Joint Committee Meeting (BOJC) held on July 4, between the Ministry of Finance and Economy (MoFE) of Brunei Darusssalam and Oman’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Investment Promotion.
The Sultanate of Oman Heritage and Tourism Exhibition will run throughout the three days, while today will see an investment forum, and tomorrow, an education forum.
Themed ‘Together we collaborate for a better future’, the dialogue aims to promote investment, higher education and tourism opportunities in Oman and Brunei Darussalam. It is sponsored by Oman Brunei Investment Company (OBIC).
Sheikh Ahmed said the event aims to further broaden horizons while riding on the excellent bilateral relations between Oman and Brunei Darussalam, who share a long standing friendship as well as similar characteristics, interests and values.
He said the event aims primarily to promote investment and higher education opportunities in the two countries. This falls under the two vital categories of economic and public diplomacy, which are increasingly being recognised as having a significant effect on political diplomacy, particularly as the world attempts to recover from COVID-19.
The investment forum aims to introduce bountiful trade and investment opportunities, shed light on the respective investment climate of both sides, and elucidate on the laws and legislation that regulate economic and investment activities in the two countries.
The forum will also review inspirational joint venture stories between Omani and Bruneian companies, creating new direction for joint cooperation between the two sides in relevant and potential fields, and find mechanisms for their development.
Meanwhile, the education forum will highlight potential opportunities for advancing bilateral cooperation in education, and on student exchange programmes.
Planned and administered by UBD in coordination with the embassy, Sultan Qaboos University and University of Nizwa, the forum will feature segments where Brunei and Omani students share insights on studying at selected learning institutions in either country, and within the framework of student exchange programmes.
The forum will also promote Oman and Brunei Darussalam as interesting, reliable destinations to pursue high-quality education.
Meanwhile, OBIC Chief Executive Officer Fathi Al Balushi pointed out that the dialogue’s main theme ‘Promoting investment and education opportunities in the Sultanate of Oman and Brunei Darussalam’ aligns with the company’s objectives, emphasising on the importance of economic and public diplomacy, and the necessity for continuous consultation and coordination.
“On this basis, we at OBIC welcomed the opportunity to sponsor this event. We believe our efforts will further foster bilateral relations between the two countries and encourage advancements in the fields of investment and education, among others.
“In December 2019, Oman Brunei Investment Company (OBIC) shareholders agreed to increase its capital by a further USD100 million, following fruitful cooperation between the Oman Investment Authority and Brunei Investment Agency (BIA). This brings the company’s total capital to USD200 million,” he added.
Providing insight into its background, he explained that OBIC is a private equity fund jointly established by Oman Investment Authority and BIA with the objective of fostering relations between the two sultanates, and encouraging investment in their respective economies.
Discussing the company’s investments in various sectors such as aviation, healthcare, tourism and hospitality, manufacturing, telecommunications, education, and food and beverage, he said, “It is our aim to achieve long-term returns and create value for our shareholders and stakeholders.”
The guest of honour later toured the Sultanate of Oman Heritage and Tourism Exhibition, featuring cultural paintings, shadow art, artefacts and 106 books.
The exhibition at the UBD Library is open to the public from 8.15am to 4.15pm until tomorrow, and will provide a glimpse into Oman’s distinctive culture as well as its commonalities with Brunei.
Also present at the ceremony were UBD Vice-Chancellor Dr Hazri bin Haji Kifle, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Investment Promotion for Trade and Industry of the Sultanate of Oman Dr Saleh bin Said Al-Masn, senior government officials and heads of diplomatic missions.
