Bin Alawi told Oman News Agency that they discussed bilateral co-operation and ways of developing it in economic and investment fields. They also focused on the situation in the Palestinian territories and conflicts between Palestinian factions and the role to be played by the Arab League to settle these conflicts, besides the situation in Iraq and the latest Arab and global developments. Shalgum described His Majesty’s visit as historical and important, particularly when the Arab world is currently at the crossroads.
He said: "we need to intensify the contacts and meetings. His Majesty the Sultan’s and the Libyan leader’s talks on Monday were profound as they discussed the historical background of various issues". Shalgum added that the meeting also discussed issues of common concern including the Palestinian cause, situation in the occupied Palestinian territories, the Israel’s continuous violations of international decisions and pacts, the situation in Iraq, horizons of Arab co-operation, the Arab League co-operation programme, the forthcoming economic summit in Kuwait and the Arab summit in Qatar.
Shalgum said that Oman and Libya share identical political views, besides the permanent co-ordination at international arenas like the Arab League, the Non-Alignment Movement and the UN. Ahmed bin Abdulnabi Macki, Minister of National Economy and Supervisor of the Ministry of Finance, and Maqbool bin Ali bin Sultan, Minister of Commerce and Industry and Chairman of the Oman Oil Company (OOC), met Dr Shukri Ghanim, Chairman of the Libyan National Oil Corporation.
Macki stressed the importance of establishing co-operation and implementing investment projects. Oman has investments in a number of countries through OOC, the State’s Reserve Fund and other investment funds, Macki added. Maqbool highlighted the OOC role through establishing oil and gas-related industries in or outside Oman.
The two sides agreed to provide information each other investment plans and programmes so as to study them. They also discussed the possibility of entering into joint ventures and agreed to exchange visits of experts. Macki and Maqbool also met with Dr Ali Abdulaziz al Isawi, Secretary of the General People’s Committee for Economy, Trade and Investment, in the presence of chairmen of the Libyan Investments Funds.
They discussed investment, trade and industry. Macki pointed out that bilateral relations cannot be established without existing joint economic and investment interests. Both Oman and Libya have a number of investment opportunities, he added. Macki highlighted the importance of establishing a joint investment company. The two countries should endeavour to establish a legal framework for investors in both countries to establish joint ventures, by signing agreements on avoidance of double taxation and encouraging and protecting investment.
Maqbool said that the two countries have to play a bigger role to encourage the private sector to set up joint ventures, besides exchanging commodities and products so as to increase the volume of trade exchange, which is still modest. Dr Ali bin Mohammed bin Moosa, Minister of Health, met Dr Mohammed Rashid, Secretary of the General People’s Committee for Health and Environment.
Dr Moosa told ONA that the Libyan side briefed him the efforts made by the Libyan health welfare institutions in primary care, hospitalities management, health programmes, medicine and medical equipment. Dr Khamis bin Mubarak al Alawi, Minister of Transport and Communications, met Matouk Mohammed Matouk, Secretary of the General People’s Committee for Manpower, Training and Employment. Al Alawi said they discussed bilateral co-operation, including an accord on air transport and co-operation in transportation and communications.
