MFA Press Statement: Meeting between Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Deputy Prime Minister of the Sultanate of Oman, His Highness Sayyid Fahad Mahmood Al-Said, 10 December 2007

His Highness Sayyid Fahad Mahmood Al-Said, Deputy Prime Minister of the Sultanate of Oman, called on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Istana today. His Highness was accompanied by a high-level delegation including five ministers: Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs Yousuf Alawi Abdulla, Minister of Commerce and Industry Maqbool Ali Sultan, Minister of Oil and Gas Dr Mohammed Hamad Saif Al-Rumhi, Minister of Agriculture Sheikh Salim Hilal Al-Khalili and Minister of Information Hamed Mohammed Al-Rashdi, and his son, His Highness Sayyid Kamil Fahad Mahmood Al-Said, Assistant Under-Secretary in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Mr Lee and DPM Sayyid Fahad exchanged views on bilateral ties. They welcomed the growing linkages between Singapore and Oman, and the signing of the Investment Guarantee Agreement between the two countries. They also noted the progress of the Dhow Project, in which both sides are cooperating to build a replica of a 9th-century Arab Dhow and sail it from Oman to Singapore. Both leaders agreed that Singapore and Oman should engage in even closer cooperation as part of a long-term strategic partnership. DPM Sayyid Fahad mentioned human resources, port management, desalination and research and technology as potential areas of public and private co-operation that both sides could explore.

Both leaders also discussed developments in the Middle East. DPM Sayyid Fahad updated Mr Lee on the situation in Iran and the Middle East Peace Process.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
10 DECEMBER 2007