KUWAIT: The visit by the Sultan Qaboos bin Said to the State of Kuwait today is an opportunity to bolster ties between the two nations and further coordinate stances on main issues of concern to the Arab and Muslim nation. The strong relations between the two nations and people were repeatedly proven solid and true, including in the early 1990s during and after the Iraqi occupation of the State of Kuwait. The current boom and fast-paced development in the Sultanate of Oman is largely attributed to the Sult
an's resolve and expertise in steering a strong nation.

The Sultan was born in Salalah on Nov 18, 1940, and became the eighth Sultan among Al-Said descendents. He was prepared for a distinguished career with high-standard education which started in his home country, took him to Suffolk, England, to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, and later to a British infantry division serving in Germany, where he spent six months for leadership training.

The Sultan went back to Britain to study local government, took specialized courses in management and administration, and went back to his country in 1964.
Till the Sultan took power on July 23, 1970, he focused on study of Islam, Islamic culture and history, Omani culture and history, and related subjects. His interest in these areas is still evident today in his initiatives and acts of support to specialized bodies.

Among the Sultan's contributions in this area is the Sultan Qaboos Encyclopedia of Arabic Names which reviewed history, linguistics, and social and other shades of the common Arabic names.

He also initiated "Sultan Qaboos Prize for Environmental Preservation" which is a biennial award sponsored by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and sponsored the "Study of the Silk Roads" program, also in cooperation with the UNESCO.

In his foreign policy, the Sultan relied on strengthening, bases, overcoming transient circumstances, and care not to be sucked in into other Arab states' disputes or miscalculations. The policy kept the country immune to divide stemming from such source.

The annual tours of the Sultan to all parts of his Sultanate also stressed his keenness on maintaining national unity and also reflected his desire to share his people's experiences.

In November, 1996, the Sultan issued a royal decree with the state's 81-article constitution of seven parts; State and the System of Government, Principles Guiding State Policy, Public Rights and Duties, The Head of State, The Oman Council, The Judiciary, and General Provisions.

In October 1998, Sultan Qaboos was presented with the International Peace Award by the National Council on US-Arab Relations. The council defines itself as "an American non-profit, non-governmental, educational organization dedicated to improving American knowledge and understanding of the Arab world.

Kuwaiti-Omani relations are constantly developing, and most specifically in the economic field, even more so since the agreement to set up a joint committee for economy, trade, and tourism cooperation in 2001.

Omani officials had on many occasions stressed the committee, presided by the two foreign ministers, strongly supports and furthers cooperation in areas which include security, trade and economy, industry, tourism, oil and gas and related industries and sectors, human development, and development of workforce.

Statistics of Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) indicate 22 loans to the Sultanate to the amount of KD 164.609 million. The sums went to projects in communications, industry, energy, water and sanitation, and transportation.

Kuwait's Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad last visited Oman last May and his talks with Sultan Qaboos in Muscat covered bolstering of relations and regional and international issues of mutual concern.

The visit is part of ongoing effort to bolster ties between the two nations and deliberate and unify stances on all issues of mutual concern, stressed a diplomat here yesterday.

Kuwait's Ambassador to the Sultanate Shamlan Abdelaziz Al-Roumi said the visit also reflects the Omani leadership's keenness on close coordination and strong relations within the Gulf region. The results of the recent GCC Summit in Kuwait would feature high on the leaders' agenda, he added.

Both Sultan Qaboos and the His Highness the Amir of the State of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah are keen on furthering relations to the best interest of both people.

Oman, he said, is living a period of boom in all facets of development under the wise policies of its leader, and the political, social, economic, and cultural achievements over the past 39 years are "colossal national feat.

The Omani-Kuwaiti joint committee which convenes regularly between Kuwait and Muscat is constantly working on furthering cooperation and always upon a basis of transparency, the diplomat noted.

On specific areas targeted for development, the ambassador said he is optimistic there would be a boom in exchange of trade and investment, with Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) playing a big role in the process.

Cultural interaction and cooperation is always given due care, with some 700 Omani students currently enrolled in Kuwait universities and institutes and some 200 Kuwaitis studying in Oman.

The Sultanate's current boom is fruit of thoroughly structured consecutive five-year development plans and earnest effort and devotion and the results are felt by the Omani citizen. - Kuwait Times