MFA Press Statement: Visit by Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs Masagos Zulkifli to Muscat, Oman (5 to 9 April 2014)

Senior Minister of State (SMS) for Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs Masagos Zulkifli met his Foreign Affairs counterparts, Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs Yousuf Bin Alawi and Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sayyid Badr Bin Hamad Al Busaidi on 6 April 2014. They affirmed the strong bilateral ties between Singapore and Oman, and discussed regional developments. SMS Masagos called on His Highness Sayyid Haitham Bin Tariq Al Said, Minister of Heritage and Culture. They explored opportunities for more people-to-people exchanges between Singapore and Oman. SMS Masagos encouraged His Highness Sayyid Haitham to promote Oman in Singapore to boost tourism exchanges. SMS Masagos met other Omani ministers including Minister of Interior Sayyid Hamoud Bin Faisal Al Busaidi and Minister of Awqaf and Religious Affairs Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammed Al Salimi.

On 7 April, SMS Masagos met Minister of Education Dr Madiha Bint Ahmed Al Shibani and exchanged views on further collaboration in education on teacher training and assessment systems. SMS Masagos and Dr Madiha then proceeded to sign the Memorandum of Understanding on “Cooperation in the Field of Education”. On the same day, SMS Masagos met Chairman of Duqm Special Economic Zone Authority Yahya Al Jabri and discussed enhancing business links between Singapore and Oman, including in the Duqm Special Economic Zone. SMS Masagos also met Inspector General of Police and Customs Lieutenant-General Hassan Bin Mohsin Al Shraiqi and exchanged views on security cooperation. Later that evening, SMS Masagos hosted a reception for Singaporeans residing in Oman at the Intercontinental Hotel Muscat.

On 8 April, SMS Masagos met Chairman of Muscat Municipality Mohsen Bin Mohammed Al Shaikh and explored cooperation opportunities between Singapore and Muscat on urban planning and public housing.

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