31 October 2013
Muscat: Business, cultural and regional ties between Oman and Australia are ever-increasing in strength and in numbers, according to the Australian ambassador to the Sultanate.
While on his 11th visit to Oman, Neil Hawkins, the non-resident ambassador to Oman, told the Times of Oman about the growing relationship between the two countries, both bilaterally and through international organisations.
"We have, over the past few years, strengthened our relations with Oman for some very good reasons," he said.
When it comes to trade and technology, the ties between the countries are strong. There is now about $500 million in trade annually, $460 million imported from Australia and $30 million or $40 million exported from Oman.
Since both countries have hot, dry, dusty climates, a lot of Australian technology and expertise can be implemented in Oman. Many Australian-made Japanese cars are imported by Oman, as well as agricultural products such as meat, dairy and produce.
"We have quite an active trade. Because there are about 14 flights a day between Dubai and Australia now, it's very easy to get food from the paddocks to the plates here within 24 to 48 hours. We're very proud of the fact that the food is clean and it's green," Hawkins elaborated.
Hawkins estimates that there are about 1,200 Australians citizens in Oman. He says Australians find Oman peaceful, safe and welcoming, an "ideal environment to bring up a family and do business in."
The relationship is based on people-to-people ties, and a number of Australians are in prominent positions in Oman such as CEOs, government advisers and educators.
A big part of the relationship is based on education ties. About 750 Omanis are currently studying in Australia, and several Omani universities, including Sohar University and Sur University College, have affiliations with top Australian universities.
Hawkins said the Omani students don't just play an important role at the universities in Australia, but they add to the country's multiculturalism.
"They hold Omani cultural days, so provide Australians with a view about Oman and what a wonderful place it is. They're not just coming to learn; they play an important role in our society," Hawkins said.
Oman and Australia also have close ties as members of the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation. While Australian will take over as chair of the organisation this November, Hawkins said Oman also plays an important role in issues that are key to Australia, such as fisheries and maritime security.
"Oman is funding and running the Fisheries Support Unit, which we feel, in Australia, is a model for what other countries should be doing," he said.
As a member of the G20 and UN Security Canada, Australia also tries to represent its allies, including Oman, Hawkins added.
"We believe it's important that we maintain close contacts with our friends like the Omanis to ensure that their concerns and their policies are reflected in these larger groups," he said.
While in Muscat, Hawkins also attended the Australian Business Group Oman's annual awards night which recognised Australian businesses and people in Oman. WorleyParsons was named Australian Company of the Year. Wayne Pearce, CEO of Oman Air, was named Australian Businessperson of the Year, and Hamed Al Hajri was awarded the Distinguished Contribution Award for an Omani who fosters Omani-Australian relations.
Muscat: Business, cultural and regional ties between Oman and Australia are ever-increasing in strength and in numbers, according to the Australian ambassador to the Sultanate.
While on his 11th visit to Oman, Neil Hawkins, the non-resident ambassador to Oman, told the Times of Oman about the growing relationship between the two countries, both bilaterally and through international organisations.
"We have, over the past few years, strengthened our relations with Oman for some very good reasons," he said.
When it comes to trade and technology, the ties between the countries are strong. There is now about $500 million in trade annually, $460 million imported from Australia and $30 million or $40 million exported from Oman.
Since both countries have hot, dry, dusty climates, a lot of Australian technology and expertise can be implemented in Oman. Many Australian-made Japanese cars are imported by Oman, as well as agricultural products such as meat, dairy and produce.
"We have quite an active trade. Because there are about 14 flights a day between Dubai and Australia now, it's very easy to get food from the paddocks to the plates here within 24 to 48 hours. We're very proud of the fact that the food is clean and it's green," Hawkins elaborated.
Hawkins estimates that there are about 1,200 Australians citizens in Oman. He says Australians find Oman peaceful, safe and welcoming, an "ideal environment to bring up a family and do business in."
The relationship is based on people-to-people ties, and a number of Australians are in prominent positions in Oman such as CEOs, government advisers and educators.
A big part of the relationship is based on education ties. About 750 Omanis are currently studying in Australia, and several Omani universities, including Sohar University and Sur University College, have affiliations with top Australian universities.
Hawkins said the Omani students don't just play an important role at the universities in Australia, but they add to the country's multiculturalism.
"They hold Omani cultural days, so provide Australians with a view about Oman and what a wonderful place it is. They're not just coming to learn; they play an important role in our society," Hawkins said.
Oman and Australia also have close ties as members of the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation. While Australian will take over as chair of the organisation this November, Hawkins said Oman also plays an important role in issues that are key to Australia, such as fisheries and maritime security.
"Oman is funding and running the Fisheries Support Unit, which we feel, in Australia, is a model for what other countries should be doing," he said.
As a member of the G20 and UN Security Canada, Australia also tries to represent its allies, including Oman, Hawkins added.
"We believe it's important that we maintain close contacts with our friends like the Omanis to ensure that their concerns and their policies are reflected in these larger groups," he said.
While in Muscat, Hawkins also attended the Australian Business Group Oman's annual awards night which recognised Australian businesses and people in Oman. WorleyParsons was named Australian Company of the Year. Wayne Pearce, CEO of Oman Air, was named Australian Businessperson of the Year, and Hamed Al Hajri was awarded the Distinguished Contribution Award for an Omani who fosters Omani-Australian relations.
© Times of Oman 2013
