5.Ambassador's Office
(2)Greetings
(c) Activities
since 2009
Japan
is a significant economic presence in
Oman. Many of the cars running on the streets of this country are Japanese models,
and a large number of the electronics seen in Omani homes are Japanese as well.
Trade between Japan
and
Oman
hit a record high in 2008, reaching almost US$10 billion. Unfortunately, the
global economic downturn triggered by the failure of Lehman Brothers as well as
the resulting fall in crude oil prices led to a drop in trade volume of 40% in
2009, down to around US$6 billion. Statistically speaking, the neighboring
United Arab Emirates is now Oman’s largest trade partner, but considering the
amount of Japanese products exported and imported by way of the UAE, in essence,
Japan can probably still be thought of as Oman’s largest trading partner.
Specifically, in addition to importing approximately 10% of
Oman’s oil and gas,
Japan
also imports marine products such as cuttlefish and tuna, and agricultural
products such as French beans. Furthermore, imports of aluminum refined at
Sohar
Industrial
Port
have also been increasing lately.
In spite of all this, there are as of
yet less than 10 Japanese companies operating in
Oman, and the size of the country’s Japanese community remains small, at around
100 people. Given these circumstances, the “Japan Oman Business Forum” held
in November 2008 was a good opportunity for Japanese companies, which are based
mainly in
Dubai, to learn about the state of the Omani economy and to move business
negotiations forward. With crude oil prices taking an upward turn and public
investment by the Omani Government increasing, this year, some Japanese
companies were even able to win contracts to construct and operate power plants
in Sohar and Barka, which are large-scale projects. Meanwhile, in cooperation
with the sovereign wealth fund of the Omani Government, we are now seeing the
advancement of some ambitious plans by Japanese banks, including one to lure
Japanese businesses to
Oman. Through assistance via JICA on the creation of master plans for industrial
development and energy conservation, Japan has been extending cooperation to
Oman as it moves toward the implementation of the 8th Five-year Economic
Development Plan, which is set to commence from next year. Japan
will continue contributing to nation-building and capacity-building in
Oman
through both public and private efforts. We are receiving the cooperation of
the Oman
side as well – the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry has shown increasing
interest in working together with Japanese economic organizations and companies.
I hope to continue to support the strengthening of ties between the two
countries from the sidelines, fostering movement and cooperation among
businesspeople.
Exchange with
Oman
in the areas of politics and security has developed considerably in recent
years. The Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) units engaged in anti-piracy
operations off the coast of
Somalia
and in the
Gulf of Aden
receive supplies primarily via the southern region of Salalah, and as of the
end of August 2010, supply runs have already been successfully completed 14
times. Accordingly, the MSDF has been deepening its relationship with the Royal
Navy of Oman. For the first time since May of last year, again in September this
year, an MSDF training squadron will visit the
Port
of
Muscat. This will be an occasion to enhance further our two nations’ mutual
friendship and cooperation through such events as goodwill exercises and
on-board training programs for young officers. The bilateral policy dialogue
between our two Ministries of Foreign Affairs, which as a result of the visit to
Japan by H.E. Sayyid Badr bin Hamed bin Hamoud al Busaidi, Secretary General of
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has been sustained through a visit to Oman in
May of this year by Toshiro Suzuki, Director General of the Middle Eastern and
African Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and a visit to Japan
in July by H.E. Yousef bin Alawi bin Abdullah, Minister Responsible for Foreign
Affairs. Safe passage through the
Strait of Hormuz
is extremely important for the further development of both the Japanese economy
and the global economy as a whole. Surprisingly, it is not commonly known that
these sea lanes lie within
Oman
’s territorial waters. Japan recognizes the fact that as we monitor the
situation in the Persian Gulf moving forward, it is of the utmost importance
that we maintain a smooth cooperative relationship with the Government of Oman.
2010 is a year of celebration as the 40th anniversary of
His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said’s accession to the throne on July 23, 1970.
Throughout the year, a variety of commemorative events are being held, including
a range of nationwide celebrations around the time of the National Day of Oman
on November 18. Japan
as well is planning a number of independent commemorative events to run
year-round. Following the incredible success of “Hanae Mori Fashion Show: East
Meets West” in May, in December, we will host a performance of classical
Japanese dance by the “Kikunokai” troupe. On the
Oman
side, the Government will organize “Oman Week,” an event to be held this
winter in Japan. In addition, discussions are currently underway between
Oman
and Japan
with the aim of bringing about a rather interesting project to deepen academic
exchanges with a certain Japanese national university.
The encouragement of exchanges among the young people who will be responsible
for the future is vital for the deepening of mutual understanding. Last year,
through the kindness of the Mitsubishi Corporation, a scholarship fund was
established under the Ministry of Higher Education of Oman, which, together with
the Japanese Government’s Scholarship Program for International Students, is
helping to foster exchanges between a broader range of young people, including
high-school students.
The monthly “Embassy Film Club”
which shows works by contemporary directors in the embassy annex
has become an established event, attracting a number of
regular attendees. Young people who have developed an interest in the Japanese
language or Japanese pop culture through the Internet come to the Club every
time, and I never cease to be amazed by their enthusiasm. Throughout the year,
the Embassy has been organizing a number of events, including Japanese drum (wadaiko)
performances by “WadaikOman,” a causal grouping of musicians organized by the Embassy, as well as “Beat & Wind from Japanasia,” which
is made up of professional musicians. We also organized a lecture by Hajime
Kamegaki on animation. In March, Japan
participated for the first time in the Muscat Film Festival, presenting the
Japanese film “Kimi no Tomodachi (Your Friend).” For the latter half of the
year, we will be working hard on a range of cultural publicity activities, such
as an exhibition of Western-style and Arab-style dresses made out of materials
normally set aside for Japanese clothing, a lecture on robots, and an exhibition
of modern photography.
Japan’s contribution to the
establishment of the National Archives of Oman, which began following a visit to
Japan in the spring of 2008 by H.H. Sayyid Haitham bin Tareq bin Taimur Al Said,
Minister of Heritage and Culture, has been progressing nicely. This summer,
Omani officials involved in the venture were welcomed to Japan
to participate in training at the National Archives of Japan. In addition, the
reorganization of the Oman-Japan Friendship Association, which was stagnating
for quite some time, has now reached a point where we are beginning to see the
prospect of new activities. This has come to pass thanks to the involvement of
many financial leaders in Oman, including the Chairman of the country’s largest enterprise group and the
Chairman of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The cooperation of the
Omani side has been encouraging. I hope to continue to promote exchange between
a wide range of groups.
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