MFA Press Statement: Visit of Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Zainul Abidin Rasheed to Kochi to attend the Welcome Ceremony for the arrival of “The Jewel Of Muscat”, on 17 March 2010

In Kochi, SMS Zainul is scheduled to meet the Mayor of Kochi, Professor Mercy Williams, and the Secretary-General of the Omani Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sayyid Badr Al-Busaidi.

The "Jewel of Muscat", a replica of a 9th Century Arabian ship, is a gift from Sultan Qaboos bin Said of Oman to the people of Singapore. The ship set sail on its historic voyage from Sultan Qaboos Port, Muscat, to Singapore on 16 February 2010 and arrived in Kochi on 15 March 2010. The "Jewel of Muscat" is under the helm of Captain Saleh Said Al Jabri. Singapore Foreign Service Officer Jeff Khoo was part of the crew onboard the ship on its journey from Muscat to Kochi.

Kochi is the ship's first port of call. From Kochi, the "Jewel of Muscat" will set sail for Galle, Sri Lanka. Thereafter, it is expected to make port calls at Penang and Malacca. The ship is expected to arrive in Singapore in July 2010.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
16 MARCH 2010