Pakistan has invited Oman to invest in its agriculture, mineral and IT sectors to attract foreign investment from Gulf nations.
These areas of cooperation were discussed at the eighth session of the Pakistan-Oman Bilateral Political Consultations that took place on August 27 in Muscat, Oman, to review different aspects of bilateral cooperation, including security, trade, and political relations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan reported.
The meeting was led by Additional Foreign Secretary (Middle East) Ambassador Shehryar Akbar Khan and Ambassador Sheikh Ahmad bin Hashil bin Rashid Al Maskari, Chief of the GCC and Regional Neighborhood Department, representing the Sultanate of Oman.
According to the MOFA, during the session, both sides conducted a comprehensive review of all aspects of bilateral cooperation, including political relations, trade and investment, security and defense, culture, health, and consular matters. Discussions also covered Pakistan-Oman collaboration in multilateral fora.
Highlighting the significance of the Joint Ministerial Commission, both parties agreed to hold the 8th session in Islamabad as soon as possible. They also committed to increasing bilateral trade volume and enhancing investment cooperation.
“The Omani side was invited to invest in agriculture, minerals, and Information Technology under the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC),” stated the Pakistani foreign office. SIFC is a civil-military hybrid body set up last year to attract foreign investment in Pakistan, especially from Gulf nations.
The Omani side expressed support for the First Pakistani Business Expo, scheduled to be held in Muscat on October 13-14, 2024, and welcomed Pakistan’s decision to grant visas on arrival to Omani nationals.
In addition to bilateral matters, the discussion also covered regional and global issues of mutual concern. The Additional Foreign Secretary (Middle East) expressed gratitude to Oman for its consistent and principled support on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
Both sides voiced serious concerns over Israel’s actions in Gaza and the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people. They emphasized the urgent need for an unconditional ceasefire and reiterated the call for the establishment of a viable, sovereign, and contiguous State of Palestine.
The Pakistani delegation also met with Under Secretary for Diplomatic Affairs, Sheikh Khalifa bin Ali bin Issa Al-Harthy, who reaffirmed Oman’s desire to further strengthen relations with Pakistan and advance bilateral dialogue and cooperation.
PNS Yarmook conducts exercise with Royal Navy of Oman
Meanwhile, Pakistan and Oman are also taking part in naval exercise in the Gulf of Oman.
Pakistan Navy Ship (PNS) Yarmook conducted a passage exercise with the Royal Navy of Oman Vessel (RNOV), Al Seeb during the Regional Maritime Security Patrol. The exercise was aimed at developing mutual understanding between the two navies while demonstrating interoperability to undertake joint operations in the region, the media wing of the Pakistan Navy said.
Pakistan’s Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen. Sahir Shamshad Mirza is on an official visit to Oman. On August 28, he visited the National Defence College (NDC) at the Academy for Strategic and Defence Studies, where he was greeted by the Commandant of the NDC Rear Admiral Ali Abdullah Al Shidi. He also held a meeting with Maj Gen Hamid bin Ahmed Sakroon, Chairman of the Academy for Strategic and Defence Studies, to discuss several matters of mutual interest.