Oman and Belarus: a new phase for strengthening cooperation

The forthcoming state visit of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to the Republic of Belarus, and his meeting with President Alexander Lukashenko, represents a new milestone in the relations between the two friendly nations. It reflects the strength of existing ties and opens broader avenues for enhancing the strategic partnership and building bridges of mutual cooperation across various fields.

Relations between the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Belarus have witnessed continuous development and rapprochement since their diplomatic ties were established on July 23, 1992.

The official visit of the President of Belarus to Oman in December 2024 set the stage for enhancing cooperation and partnership between the two friendly countries.

Trade between Oman and Belarus has featured the import of base metals and their manufactures, along with electrical machinery and equipment, as well as precision instruments and appliances, particularly in optics, photography, medicine, and surgery. This clearly indicates support for technical and health sectors. In exports, plant-based products have been prioritised, reflecting the diversity of local production and the enhancement of its competitiveness in regional and global markets.

Hamood bin Salim bin Abdullah Altowaiya, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to the Russian Federation and non–resident Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to the Republic of Belarus, affirmed to Oman News Agency (ONA) that the visit of His Majesty is an historic event, being the first official visit by His Majesty the Sultan to this friendly country.

 

The Ambassador said that, thanks to His Majesty's visit, Omani-Belarusian relations will witness a qualitative leap towards developing mutual cooperation and achieving the common interests of both countries in line with their national strategies.

He added that the visit also opens new horizons for international cooperation in various political, economic and cultural fields, carrying a positive message that expresses Oman's commitment to establishing solid relations based on mutual respect and the achievement of common interests.

Ambassador Altowaiya emphasised that Belarus possesses a diverse industrial base encompassing heavy industry, agricultural machinery, and information technology. He noted that the private sector in Belarus is encouraged to benefit from cooperation with its Omani counterpart, to expand its base of commercial partners, and to access the large markets in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, including nearly 59 million consumers, and the emerging markets in Asia and Africa connected by shipping lines from Omani ports.

Sheikh Faisal bin Abdullah Al-Rawas, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, told ONA that His Majesty's state visit to Belarus embodies the determination to expand horizons of international cooperation, and enhance economic partnerships with various world countries.

He added that the joint investment opportunities between the two friendly countries are numerous, including pharmaceutical industries and medical technology, manufacturing industries, agriculture and food security, education and vocational training, renewable energy, information technology, innovation, tourism, healthcare, transport, logistics, and joint projects for equipment assembly in Oman.

This is an unofficial English version of an Arabic report. To view the official Arabic text, click here.