The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Ebrahim Ebrahim, will lead a delegation to the First Meeting of the South Africa-Oman Partnership Forum scheduled to take place in Muscat, Oman, from 29 to 31 October 2011.
The Partnership between South Africa and Oman was established through the signing of an Agreement on the Establishment of a Partnership Forum by Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane and Mr Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, the Omani Minister of Foreign Affairs on 29 October 2010 in Cape Town.
It is expected that the two countries will use the forthcoming Partnership Forum meeting as a platform to review bilateral relations and to explore further opportunities for cooperation between South Africa and Oman.
Other than political relations in general, specific focus would be placed on cooperation in the fields of Arts and Culture, Justice and Constitutional Development, Higher Education and Training, Agriculture and Trade and Investment.
It is also expected that discussions would take place on current developments in Africa and the Middle East and ways in which the two countries could collaborate on issues of peace and security.
South Africa and Oman maintain a good and diversified relationship. Diplomatic relations between South Africa and Oman were established in October 1995 and South Africa opened its Embassy in Muscat in 2002. Oman opened its Embassy in Pretoria in 2003.
The potential for increased bilateral trade and investment with Oman is significant and discussions have commenced on possible joint investment initiatives on infrastructure projects in South Africa and the African Continent.
In terms of trade relations, Oman has traditionally enjoyed a trade surplus, primarily due to its export of petrochemicals to South Africa.
For further information please contact:
Mr Clayson Monyela, Spokesperson for DIRCO
Cell: 082 884 5974
