Oman
12 March 2007
South Africa signed a co-operation agreement with the Sultanate of Oman, as
it seeks to use technological and scientific innovation to accelerate economic
growth. The Minister of Science and Technology, Mosibudi Mangena signed the
Agreement on Scientific and Technological Co-operation with the Minister of
Higher Education in the Sultanate of Oman, Dr Rawya Al Busaidi, in Pretoria on
12 March 2007.
This is part of an unfolding programme to establish and develop economic
relations between South Africa and countries in the Middle East. Trade between
South Africa and Oman is on the increase with South African exports to Oman
totalling R408 million in 2006 � including chemicals, machinery and mechanical
appliances. Over the same period imports, mostly petroleum and electronic
equipment, from Oman totalled just over R1,3 billion.
The Agreement on Scientific and Technological Co-operation will promote
co-operation in the fields of Science and Technology on the basis of equality
and mutual advantages for both countries by allowing the countries to:
* exchange visits of scientists, researchers, specialists and scholars
* organise bilateral scientific and technical seminars and courses in areas of
mutual interest
* exchange scientific and technical information and documents
* jointly identify technical and scientific problems, formulate research
programmes and apply their results in the fields agreed upon.
"A key challenge for the science systems of both South Africa and Oman would
be to assist scientific research and activities that could lead to innovation
and thereby contribute to economic growth and thus address the socio-economic
challenges of each of our countries," said Minister Mangena.
According to the Minister, Oman science and technology strengths lie in the
areas of engineering, computer science, agricultural sciences, mathematics,
clinical medicine, physics and chemistry; all of which are important areas of
interest for South Africa. He said the areas of scientific and technological
inquiry and innovation represent exciting pillars of interest and co-operation
which are in line with South Africa's own mission of developing, co-ordinating
and managing the National System of Innovation. This will bring about maximum
human capital, sustainable economic growth and improved quality of life for
all. The Minister of Higher Education of the Sultanate of Oman, Dr Rawya Al
Busaidi said agreement represents the beginning of what promises to be an
enduring and productive relationship for mutual advancement in the field of
science and technology.
She said, "The time is right to formalise our shared objectives in this
agreement which is appropriately both broad and flexible to allow for
innovation and growth. The agreement follows a visit by a science and
technology delegation of the Sultanate of Oman to South Africa in April 2005.
The objective of this visit was to continue negotiations on an Agreement on
Technological and Scientific Co-operation between the two countries. The
delegation had discussions with South African role players in the fields of
science and technology, as well as education.
For more information, please contact:
Dr Mogege Mosimege
Manager: Bilateral Co-operation
Cell: 082 387 9013
Issued by: Department of Science and Technology
12 March 2007
