MFA Press Statement: Visit of Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan to the Sultanate of Oman, 9 March 2017

      Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan made his introductory visit to the Sultanate of Oman on 9 March 2017.  Minister Balakrishnan met with Minister of the Royal Office His Excellency General Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Numani.  Both Ministers expressed satisfaction at the strong ties between Oman and Singapore, and had a candid and wide-ranging exchange on regional issues. 

        Minister Balakrishnan also called on Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs His Excellency Yusuf Bin Alawi Bin Abdullah.  They reaffirmed the enduring relationship between Singapore and Oman and agreed to further enhance cooperation through the implementation of new bilateral projects.  In this regard, Minister Balakrishnan invited His Excellency Yusuf Alawi to visit Singapore.  Both Ministers also witnessed the signing of a Letter of Understanding between Temasek Polytechnic and Sultan Qaboos University to facilitate joint research and training in the aquaculture sector.  

         Minister Balakrishnan also met with Minister of Transport and Communications His Excellency Dr Ahmed Bin Mohammed Bin Salem Al Futaisi, where they reviewed economic relations and connectivity issues, including developments in the information and communications technology field. 

        Secretary-General for the Oman Ministry of Foreign Affairs His Excellency Sayyid Badr Bin Hamad Bin Hamood Al Busaidi hosted Minister Balakrishnan to lunch.  During their meeting, they reviewed the various areas of bilateral cooperation and agreed on the need for specific initiatives to further deepen economic linkages and people-to-people ties.  Minister Balakrishnan and His Excellency Sayyid Badr also had a good discussion on a broad range of international and regional developments. 

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

9 MARCH 2017