Latest news with #AnirbanRay
3 days ago
- Business
Oman-Philippines ties on good ground: Ambassador
Ambassador of Philippines to Oman, H E Raul Hernandez sees a bright future for the vibrant relationship between Oman and the Philippines. 'Oman is fast becoming my second home. At last year's National Day celebration, we proudly served Philippine mangoes – known for being among the sweetest in the world. We plan to continue this tradition,' he tells Anirban Ray in an exclusive chat Oman and Philippines have shared a long-standing relationship that is cordial, economically beneficial, culturally vibrant, and politically deep-rooted in mutual trust. Taking over as the new ambassador of Philippines to Oman, H E Raul Hernandez has a series of cultural, business-related, and people-to-people contact events lined up. This in view of the fact that the two countries have a long-standing relationship based on mutual respect, cultural exchanges and economic ties, he said. Both nations have a history of trade and co-operation dating back to centuries. In recent times, Philippines and Oman have continued to strengthen their relationship through diplomatic dialogue and collaboration in various fields, such as energy, infrastructure and art. The appointment of a new ambassador signals a commitment to further strengthening these ties and exploring new avenues for collaboration. Excerpts from an interview with H E Hernandez: What is your immediate focus as Ambassador of the Philippines to Oman? Since assuming office in September 2023, my focus has been clear and multifaceted. First, I am committed to strengthening economic diplomacy between the Philippines and Oman. Oman is currently our 65th largest trading partner, and in 2024, we saw key trade items exchanged such as electrical machinery, mineral fuels, and edible preparations from the Philippines, while Oman's exports included ores, cereals, and similar machinery components. We also aim to introduce more of our agricultural products into the Omani market – bananas, pineapples, tuna, and desiccated coconuts, among them. On the investment front, we are working to finalise agreements related to reciprocal protection of investments, double taxation avoidance, and agricultural and fisheries cooperation. A proposed MoU between the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) is also in the pipeline. Moreover, we are promoting the Philippines as an ideal investment and tourism destination. I'm pleased to hear from Omanis who have already visited the Philippines and enjoyed their stay. We hope to see more such visits through planned familiarisation tours. Secondly, connecting with our Filipino community in Oman is a key priority. With more than 48,000 Filipinos residing here, spread across various professions – from healthcare and engineering to hospitality and household services – I've been keen to listen to their experiences and extend embassy services where needed. Their stories of success and gratitude for the opportunities Oman has given them are truly inspiring. Lastly, I've dedicated efforts to deepening ties with the Omani community. We're celebrating 45 years of diplomatic relations with Oman this year, and I see this as an opportunity to express our gratitude for the friendship and support the Sultanate has shown. Oman is fast becoming my second home. At last year's National Day celebration, we proudly served Philippine mangoes – known for being among the sweetest in the world – and we plan to continue this tradition. How many visas were issued to Omanis who travelled to the Philippines last year? Technically, Omanis don't require a visa for visits to the Philippines of up to 30 days. In 2024, over 4,000 Omanis visited the Philippines, a number that doesn't include expatriates residing in Oman who also travelled to our country. Most of them visited for tourism, to enjoy our famous Filipino hospitality, food, and beautiful coastlines. Destinations like Boracay and Palawan remain top choices. We're also seeing increased interest in wellness tourism, thanks to our world-class health centers offering excellent diagnostics and care. Yes, we are working on a familiarisation tour for Omanis and expatriates in Oman. Also, Oman Air's direct daily flights to the Philippines make travel convenient and position our country as an ideal leisure and wellness destination. Are there any new initiatives/projects to be undertaken by the Embassy or Philippines in Oman this year? Yes, several memoranda of understanding between the Philippines and Oman are under discussion in fields of mutual interest. We're also excited about celebrating the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations with cultural and business initiatives, possibly featuring performances from Filipino talent. We aim to strengthen our visibility in Oman through participation in local government-led programmes that showcase Filipino products, talents, and culture. Are there plans for new Filipino schools in Muscat? Currently, the Philippine School in Oman has over 900 students and enjoys strong support from both, Filipino and expatriate, families. While there are no formal expansion plans yet from the school administration, we remain open to opportunities. We are also hopeful that the Omani government may one day provide land for a new and larger campus. Education is a key pillar of our commitment to Oman's future. What's the latest on investments, trade, and business exchanges in Oman? Today, there are over sixty Filipino-owned micro and small enterprises in Oman, primarily in food and retail – industries that reflect our culture's love for shared meals. These businesses not only serve our community but introduce Filipino cuisine to other cultures here. Oman's investor-friendly policies have helped our entrepreneurs thrive. Additionally, we are promoting the Philippines' sovereign wealth fund and are exploring potential investment collaborations in Oman. Progress in this area has been encouraging. How would you describe the people-to-people relationship between Oman and the Philippines? The people-to-people connection between our two nations is warm, dynamic, and growing. Filipinos and Omanis have built meaningful friendships over the years, evident not just during embassy events but also through community initiatives. A recent vaccine drive, where many of the nurses assisting Filipino clients were Omani, was a touching example of cooperation and solidarity. Filipino professionals – doctors, nurses, engineers, teachers – are respected contributors to Omani society. We continue to empower them, ensuring they feel supported in their roles, and proud of the impact they make here. These human connections are the foundation of our enduring partnership with Oman.
22-04-2025
- Business
‘Together in trade and traditions'
'When we head towards the sea, the first country we come across is Oman. So, Oman is uniquely placed as our maritime gateway. My goalis to advance Pakistan-Oman relations in a comprehensive manner,' says H E Syed Naveed Safdar Bokhari, the new ambassador of Pakistan to Oman, in an exclusive interview with Anirban Ray. Excerpts: What is your immediate focus as the ambassador of Pakistan to Oman? Oman and its people have been incredibly welcoming. Since arriving here, I have experienced an outpouring of love and affection. It has been a wonderful experience and, more importantly, a valuable opportunity to contribute meaningfully to Pakistan-Oman relations. For Pakistan, Oman holds significant importance – not just as a key country in the region, but also as our only maritime neighbour. This gives our relationship a distinct and strategic dimension. When we head towards the sea, the first country we come across is Oman. So, Oman is uniquely placed as our maritime gateway. To describe the goal of my mission here in one phrase: it is to advance Pakistan-Oman relations in a comprehensive manner. I'm pleased to share that in the short span of three months since my arrival, we've already witnessed a number of official visits between Pakistan and Oman. In March, we hosted a very successful visit from Pakistan's Commerce Minister, who spent four to five days in Oman. During his stay, he held several important meetings – not just with the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion – but also with other Omani ministers. The visit included a trip to Sohar Port, and featured a B2B exchange session between the Pakistani business delegation and Omani entrepreneurs. It was an extremely fruitful visit. Could you share some of your main achievements, so far? In the defense sector, we've also had significant engagements. Pakistan's Chief of Air Staff visited Oman, and our naval ships, which regularly dock at Omani ports, have made two visits already, with another one scheduled soon. Beyond that, we've hosted delegations from the health sector and the education sector of Pakistan along with several business delegations – more visits are planned in the coming months. Overall, a very healthy momentum has developed in bilateral engagements. From the Omani side as well, there have been important visits. Notably, the Chief of Omani Royal Navy and other senior officials have visited Pakistan. At present, senior officials from Oman's Anti-Narcotics Bureau are in Pakistan participating in a major conference. Above all, I must highlight a key moment that set the tone for this growing relationship – the Prime Minister of Pakistan had a very warm and productive Eid telephone call with His Majesty, the Sultan of Oman. That conversation has played a pivotal role in generating strong momentum for deeper bilateral cooperation. How many visas were issued to Omanis to travel to Pakistan last year? What were the main purposes? Pakistan and Oman share a rich and deeply rooted history. Our two nations are connected not only by geography and culture, but also by a significant shared demography. In fact, around 30 per cent of Oman's population traces its ancestry back to Balochistan in Pakistan, creating strong familial and ancestral ties between our peoples. From January 1 to December 31, 2024, the Pakistan Embassy issued approximately 5,000 visas to Omani residents. A large proportion of these – especially those issued to the Baloch community – were family visit visas. In addition to family visas, we also issued medical visas, providing access to treatment for those in need, as well as visas for official delegations, tourists and business travelers, further strengthening our bilateral cooperation on multiple fronts. Any new plans in the pipeline for 2025? My current focus is to ensure that the Pakistan Social Club becomes active this year. We already have an interim committee in place and are hopeful that within this year, the Pakistan Social Club will resume its activities. This revival will be a significant boost to our ongoing efforts to promote Pakistani culture in Oman. Such cultural events/performances not only entertain our community but also serve as a bridge to present Pakistan's culture and rich heritage to the Omani people. Any initiatives for Pakistan School Muscat? People often say that Pakistan School Muscat (PSM) is a true asset for our community, and I'm very pleased to share that this year marks its 50th anniversary – a golden year in its journey. Over the decades, PSM has grown into a massive educational setup and a significant institution in Oman. Currently, more than 8,000 students are enrolled across its campuses, and what makes it even more special is that it enjoys a multinational enrollment, reflecting its broad appeal and inclusive environment. Due to overwhelming demand, the school is compelled to run evening classes while we are also in the process of building a new international school in Mabela. Another key initiative I've taken, in collaboration with the school board, is to launch the Pakistan School Muscat Alumni Association. Over the past many decades, thousands of students have graduated from PSM and are successful professionals – they are a valuable asset. What are significant trade exchanges between the two countries? Oman is an important trade partner for Pakistan, and I'm pleased to share that our bilateral trade crossed the US$1bn mark for the first-time last year. This is a significant milestone in our economic relationship. Currently, Oman enjoys trade surplus with Pakistan, primarily because we import oil and oil-related products from Oman. These imports form a major part of the trade volume. However, Pakistan is also making strong contributions to this relationship by exporting over US$200mn worth of goods to Oman. Our main exports include rice, meat, vegetables, fruits, maize, and corn—items that are part of Pakistan's agricultural strength and are highly valued in the Omani market. In addition to these traditional products, one noteworthy development is the growing export of minerals from Pakistan to Oman. In March, a successful business delegation from Pakistan visited Oman. This visit featured productive B2B sessions with Omani counterparts. Building on that momentum, we are now planning another business delegation visit in May. How good are the cultural relationships between the two countries? Pakistan and Oman share a deep cultural bond, rooted in a common civilisational heritage. This shared history creates a strong foundation for cultural exchanges, which are an important aspect of our bilateral relationship. I am personally committed to promoting and strengthening these exchanges to further deepen the understanding between our peoples. We hope to welcome cultural troupes from Oman in Pakistan to showcase Omani culture and vice versa. In addition to culture, sports exchanges are another promising area of growing cooperation. Just a few days ago, the Omani National Hockey Team visited Pakistan and participated in a full match series. This was a major development and played a significant role in the revival of international hockey in Pakistan. Cricket, which is a passion in Pakistan, also presents great opportunities for engagement. Given the large South Asian diaspora in Oman, there is already a vibrant environment here that supports and encourages cricket. This makes it a natural area of collaboration between the two countries. There is also scope for cooperation in traditional sports like tent pegging, and other adventure sports which can promote tourism on both sides. Photos by VK Shafeer
