24 November 2012
MUSCAT -- The Mayor of the Dutch port city of Rotterdam, one of the largest maritime hubs in the world, has called for greater ties between Oman and the Netherlands.
Ahmed Aboutaleb said the potential for co-operation between the two friendly countries extends beyond their current joint venture partnership in the operation and management of the Port of Sohar, into areas such as culture and education.
The Mayor, who was in Muscat last week, made the appeal after talks with key government officials and business leaders whose organisations are at the heart of flourishing economic and commercial relations between the two countries.
Aboutaleb congratulated the Omani government on the scale of the impressive development witnessed across the Sultanate, and also voiced pleasure at Rotterdam Port's joint venture partnership in the development of the industrial port of Sohar.
"We are happy to participate in this major development. We are participating in Sohar and our aim is to make a big success out of it. We hope Omanis will develop that area into a strategic port for the region."
Speaking to the media, the Mayor stressed the importance of co-operation at a time of heightened competition for a share of global trade and the logistics business. "To win the game of competition, co-operation is important especially to be the best in logistics. That is why Port of Rotterdam nowadays plays a major role in Europe because we have the best logistics. We use all transport facilities, the water systems, railway systems, and highway system to feed Europe with consumer products."
In particular, Aboutaleb mooted co-operative ties between the cities of Rotterdam and Muscat in the cultural arena. "We are telling the city of Muscat that when it comes to culture, we would like to have the opportunity to our royal opera perform in Muscat. We really thing it is a fruitful atmosphere for exchanging culture."
The Mayor also invited Omani studies to explore higher learning and vocational training opportunities in the Netherlands, arguing that the Dutch academic system is more economical than many other countries.
During this two-day visit, Aboutaleb held talks with Sultan bin Salim al Habsi, Chairman of the Board of the Port of Sohar, and Sultan bin Hamdoon al Harthy, Head of the Muscat Municipality. On Wednesday morning, he conferred with senior government leaders and business personalities, including Dr Mohammed Al Barwani, Chairman of Oceanco, a Rotterdam yard specialising in the construction of super-yachts, Oman Trading International (OTI), represented by Talal al Aufi, CEO, and Ahmed al Wahaibi, Oman Oil Company CEO. OTI has decided to open its first European trading office in Rotterdam. Stefan van Wersch, Ambassador of the Netherlands to the Sultanate of Oman, was also present.
MUSCAT -- The Mayor of the Dutch port city of Rotterdam, one of the largest maritime hubs in the world, has called for greater ties between Oman and the Netherlands.
Ahmed Aboutaleb said the potential for co-operation between the two friendly countries extends beyond their current joint venture partnership in the operation and management of the Port of Sohar, into areas such as culture and education.
The Mayor, who was in Muscat last week, made the appeal after talks with key government officials and business leaders whose organisations are at the heart of flourishing economic and commercial relations between the two countries.
Aboutaleb congratulated the Omani government on the scale of the impressive development witnessed across the Sultanate, and also voiced pleasure at Rotterdam Port's joint venture partnership in the development of the industrial port of Sohar.
"We are happy to participate in this major development. We are participating in Sohar and our aim is to make a big success out of it. We hope Omanis will develop that area into a strategic port for the region."
Speaking to the media, the Mayor stressed the importance of co-operation at a time of heightened competition for a share of global trade and the logistics business. "To win the game of competition, co-operation is important especially to be the best in logistics. That is why Port of Rotterdam nowadays plays a major role in Europe because we have the best logistics. We use all transport facilities, the water systems, railway systems, and highway system to feed Europe with consumer products."
In particular, Aboutaleb mooted co-operative ties between the cities of Rotterdam and Muscat in the cultural arena. "We are telling the city of Muscat that when it comes to culture, we would like to have the opportunity to our royal opera perform in Muscat. We really thing it is a fruitful atmosphere for exchanging culture."
The Mayor also invited Omani studies to explore higher learning and vocational training opportunities in the Netherlands, arguing that the Dutch academic system is more economical than many other countries.
During this two-day visit, Aboutaleb held talks with Sultan bin Salim al Habsi, Chairman of the Board of the Port of Sohar, and Sultan bin Hamdoon al Harthy, Head of the Muscat Municipality. On Wednesday morning, he conferred with senior government leaders and business personalities, including Dr Mohammed Al Barwani, Chairman of Oceanco, a Rotterdam yard specialising in the construction of super-yachts, Oman Trading International (OTI), represented by Talal al Aufi, CEO, and Ahmed al Wahaibi, Oman Oil Company CEO. OTI has decided to open its first European trading office in Rotterdam. Stefan van Wersch, Ambassador of the Netherlands to the Sultanate of Oman, was also present.
© Oman Daily Observer 2012
