Omani-Qatari relations have witnessed many positive developments in different fields during the past five decades. Oman has relied on the use of the Qatari educational curriculum in government schools from the seventies of the last century, when the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said, may God have mercy on him, heralded the country’s modern Renaissance. The Qatari curriculum remained approved by the Ministry of Education for many years, until the Omani curriculum was prepared. In addition, many Omani students were sent to Qatari schools and colleges during that period to complete their studies at various educational levels, and joined later after their graduation to the government and the private sector institutions.
This cultural and educational relationship between the two countries has led to the strengthening of many other aspects in various sectors, especially the economic, in addition to strengthening official visits between the representatives of both sides. In addition, the two countries have witnessed the signing of many memoranda of understanding and agreements in the economic, commercial, investment, banking, cultural, sports and other fields since 1970s.
Over the past five decades, the two parties have achieved great convergence not only in these fields, but also included economic and political policies, especially after the formation of the Gulf Cooperation Council system in 1981, which led to focusing on strengthening cooperation in these fields. In addition, the two countries enjoyed much success in strengthening cooperation in the fields of trade, investment, tourism and others. The impact of this on bilateral relations has been highlighted in various regional and international forums and events.
Today, these relations are further consolidated and renewed amid the official visit of His Highness Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the sisterly State of Qatar, to his brother His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, which will inevitably benefit the peoples of the two countries with goodness, progress and development. The exchange of official visits between the two countries has become a feature between Omani and Qatari officials, reflecting the commitment of the two countries to enhance bilateral cooperation, and strengthen economic partnerships by signing new agreements in the fields of trade and investment, increasing the volume of trade exchange, and cooperation in the fields of culture, tourism and aviation. This is in addition to enhancing political coordination by unifying similar positions on regional issues, which contributes to enhancing trust and cooperation in the political arena.
The strengthening of Omani-Qatari relations in the investment and trade fields continues through forums, meetings and exhibitions with the aim of establishing new economic partnerships that contribute to economic diversification in the two countries, achieving sustainable development, and developing joint cooperation in many strategic sectors. Today, we see that the State of Qatar and its institutions are focusing on investing in Oman in vital sectors, including energy, hotels, tourism, transportation, logistics, and real estate. In return, the Sultanate of Oman is strengthening its support for its investments in several qualitative Qatari sectors, including logistics, services, and others, which is expected to open new channels for cooperation between public and private companies and institutions during the next stage and sign more joint agreements within the framework of the auspicious visit of His Highness the Emir of Qatar to the Sultanate of Oman.
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