On the evening of June 8, the Embassy of Oman in Hanoi hosted a banquet to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Oman (June 9, 1992-2022).
At the ceremony, Deputy Head of the Party Central Committee for External Relations Truong Quang Hoai Nam, Assistant to the Foreign Minister of Vietnam Nguyen Minh Hang and Ambassador of Oman to Vietnam Saleh Mohamed Ahmed Al Saqri expressed their joy at the achievements as well as the prospects for the development of deeper and more comprehensive relations between the two countries.
In the 30 years since the diplomatic establishment, the relationship between the two sides has been continuously consolidated through regular exchange activities between relevant ministries and sectors of the two countries.
Various bilateral cooperation agreements and documents have been signed in many fields such as politics, economics, trade, human resources, avoidance of double taxation, mutual encouragement and protection in investment and production.
In particular, the two countries most recently signed an agreement on visa exemption for holders of diplomatic, official and special passports on April 28, creating favourable conditions for travel between the two countries, thereby promoting delegation exchange and strengthening cooperation.
Looking back on the 30-year journey of establishing diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Oman, Assistant to the Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Hang expressed her respect for the outstanding achievements in political and diplomatic relations, especially in bilateral economic and trade cooperation.
Economic cooperation between the two countries is constantly being promoted, with bilateral trade turnover in 2021 having reached 338.1 million USD, up 100% compared to 2020, an impressive growth rate in the context of the difficulties caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Regarding investment, the Vietnam-Oman Investment Fund (VOI) is a bright spot in the investment cooperation between Vietnam and Oman, with successful investment projects in essential fields such as agriculture, renewable energy, infrastructure, hydropower, and clean water treatment, noted Assistant to Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Hang.
Considered as a typical model for the economic cooperation relationship between the two countries, the VOI was established and put into operation in 2008 on the basis of the agreement and support from both Governments. From the initial committed capital of 100 million USD in 2009, the VOI has now disbursed more than 300 million USD into essential projects in Vietnam.
Assistant to Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Hang also expressed her appreciation for the sentiment and valuable support the Government and people of Oman given to the Vietnamese people during the recent difficult times to overcome the consequences caused by natural disasters and the Covid-19 epidemic. She also affirmed that the close relationship provides a solid foundation for long-term cooperation between the two countries.
Delegates at the celebration expressed their belief that with the achievements, potentials and determination of the two sides, the Vietnam-Oman relationship will continue to develop comprehensively in various fields of politics, diplomacy, trade, investment, agriculture, fisheries, seaports, tourism, etc., for the benefit and aspirations of the two peoples, for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and around the world.
