His Majesty Haitham Bin Tarik, Sultan of Oman, reinforces diplomatic relations with Singapore during a three-day state visit, focusing on economic cooperation and cultural exchanges.
Singapore, 14 December 2023 – His Majesty Haitham Bin Tarik, Sultan of Oman, embarked on a three-day state visit to Singapore, commencing with a ceremonial welcome at the Istana this morning. The Sultan called on President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and held separate meetings with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to discuss and strengthen bilateral ties.
During the discussions, President Tharman and Sultan Haitham reaffirmed the warm relations between Singapore and Oman, emphasizing their shared interests as trading and maritime nations. Both leaders explored avenues to bolster cooperation in key areas such as green energy, trade and investments, technical and vocational training, and cultural exchanges. The ongoing Jewel of Muscat and Muscat Street projects were highlighted as symbols of the enduring goodwill and strong friendship between the two countries.
Prime Minister Lee and Sultan Haitham acknowledged the positive momentum in bilateral exchanges, referencing the inaugural Singapore – Oman Strategic Dialogue held in December 2022. They expressed mutual interest in furthering economic cooperation, including a potential review of the Gulf Cooperation Council-Singapore Free Trade Agreement. The leaders also discussed the possibility of knowledge-sharing in areas such as public administration, education, and energy.
As a tangible outcome of the state visit, two Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) were signed, focusing on cooperation in culture and youth, as well as economic development. These agreements underscore the commitment of both nations to fostering collaboration across various sectors.
Sultan Haitham’s itinerary also included a visit to the Singapore Botanic Gardens, where a new orchid hybrid, the Dendrobium H.M. Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, was named in his honor. President Tharman is set to host a State Banquet in the evening to honor Sultan Haitham, with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong scheduled to call on the Sultan tomorrow.
The state visit serves as a significant milestone in strengthening the longstanding ties between Oman and Singapore, paving the way for increased cooperation and understanding.
Source – MFA
