Long history of loyal friendship

The Sultanate of Oman and the United Kingdom already have a unique relationship and a long history of co-operation. The relations are deep, historic and enduring. The centuries-old relations flourished since the beginning of Oman’s blessed renaissance.

Both countries work closely in the fields of trade, education, culture, defence and diplomacy.

Over the years, the friendship between our two nations has gone from strength to strength. The leaderships of both countries have been at the forefront in ensuring that the close friendship has been maintained in the interest of the peoples of the two nations. The recent years have witnessed a number of agreements being signed by the leaderships in several fields.

Oman and the UK have enjoyed close relations, both politically and commercially, for more than 350 years, signing friendship treaties in 1798, 1800, 1891 and 1951.

The UK and Oman have shared strong defence ties for over 75 years and certain signs suggest that military relations are strengthening further at a time when there is growing instability in the region. Ties with the United Kingdom have remained very close under late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos.

Under the reigns of Queen Elizabeth II and late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, Oman and the UK enjoyed excellent relations and a close friendship that went back decades. The relations were further cemented when the Queen visited Oman as part of the 40th National Day celebrations.

On her condolence message on the demise of Sultan Qaboos, the Queen said, “I was deeply saddened to hear of the death of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos”.

Her deep appreciation for the late Sultan was evident when she further said, “His devotion to Oman, to its development and to the care of his people was an inspiration. He will be remembered for his wise leadership and his commitment to peace and understanding between nations and between faiths.”

Recollecting her visit to Oman, she added. “My State Visit to Oman in 2010 remains a cherished memory. I offer my sincere and heartfelt condolences to the Omani people. May the long history of loyal friendship between our two countries to continue.”

During His Majesty Sultan Haitham’s visit to Britain in December 2021, he was hosted at her historic Windsor Castle by the Queen.

In January, the two countries signed a Sovereign Investment Partnership deal, agreeing to work more closely on increasing high-value investments. The new pact between the UK’s Office for Investment and the Oman Investment Authority signed in London strives to identify and support commercial investments in areas such as clean energy and technology.

The signing follows former prime minister Boris Johnson’s meeting with the His Majesty Sultan Haitham at Downing Street in December, where he discussed efforts to boost Britain’s and Oman’s economic recovery from the pandemic, investment opportunities in green and renewable technology, and the new UK-GCC free trade agreement, which is under discussion this year.

Oman Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr al Busaidy said the signing was in line with the "aspirations of both Oman and the UK as set out in the Comprehensive Agreement on Enduring Friendship and Bilateral Co-operation".

Britain’s Ambassador to Oman, Bill Murray, said His Majesty Sultan Haitham’s focus "was on the economic growth of the country, and the investment opportunities that Oman enjoys, and it’s very much related to the UK as a key part of that”.

British companies have a long history of investment in Oman, with foreign direct investments from the UK accounting for nearly 50 per cent of the foreign investment into the Sultanate of Oman in recent years.