5.Ambassador's Office
(2)Greetings
(d) Issues
to be tackled beyond 2010
The incident involving the crude oil tanker M. Star that
occurred this summer reaffirmed the importance of ensuring safe passage through
the
Strait of Hormuz. Considering the increasingly severe situation surrounding
Iran, I think that everyone understands the growing geopolitical importance of
Oman, which faces the Indian Ocean and has fine ports outside the
Strait of Hormuz.
It is important that we protect
Japan’s economic interests, which rely heavily on the resources of the Gulf region,
by continuing to deepen policy dialogues with the Government of Oman, and
through further collaboration on efforts with the Royal Navy of Oman to combat
piracy and secure safe passage. Accordingly, it is imperative that the scope of
exchanges between
Japan
and
Oman
be increased in a wide range of areas, including politics, the economy and
culture.
Although the global economy remains sluggish, rises in
crude oil prices are benefiting the financial affairs of Gulf nations. Oman
is no exception to this, and thus it is expected that there will be active
public spending for the 8th Five-year Economic Development Plan that is to
commence in 2011, and that similar government spending to enhance the
country’s social infrastructure and industrial foundations will continue to
propel Oman’s economy forward. Through JICA technical cooperation Japan is collaborating
on the formulation of the “Industrial Development Master Plan” and “Master
Plan for Energy Conservation in the Power Sector,” both of which are intended
to assist with the 8th Five-year Economic Development Plan. These plans are sure
to bring about many opportunities for Japanese companies. In the future, joint
programs of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) such as the construction of a
high-speed rail network and nuclear power plants are likely to be good business
opportunities for Japanese companies as well. The diversification of industry in
Oman and measures to secure employment for young people are critical challenges
currently faced by the Omani Government, and it is my hope that Japan will
continue to contribute to nation-building in Oman through public-private
partnerships. Japanese companies possess a wealth of superior, cutting-edge
technology in the fields of renewable energy and energy conservation and excel
in the water treatment sector, especially with regard to seawater and sewage
processing. The Government of Oman is already placing high expectations on
Japan
in these fields, but I believe that there is yet further room for cooperation.
2012 will be the 40th anniversary of the commemorative of
diplomatic relations between
Japan
and Oman. A number of celebratory events have already been placed on the drawing board,
and I am eager to add more ideas from here on, focusing on cultural events.
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