The British Omani Society hosted a reception to mark the fiftieth anniversary of its founding at Lancaster House in London, in the presence of His Highness Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs.

The event was held within the framework of the State Visit of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to the United Kingdom, with members of the official delegation accompanying His Majesty the Sultan also taking part in the Golden Jubilee event.

Upon his arrival at Lancaster House, His Highness Sayyid Theyazin was received by Stephen Doughty, Minister of State for the Middle East and North Africa; retired Major General Richard Stanford, Chairman of the Society  and British officials.

A commemorative photograph was taken of the friends of the British Omani Society, after which His Highness shook hands with the members of the Society’s Board of Directors.

Sayyid Theyazin delivered an address during the event, in which he expressed his delight at being present to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Society’s founding, praising the considerable efforts it undertakes in support of relations between the two friendly countries.

Sayyid Theyazin noted that last year the British Omani Society supported the launch of the Smart Industries Initiative, a platform for the two-way transfer of technology founded on the long standing British-Omani partnership, which helps Omani industry benefit from British research-driven technologies.

His Highness said young people received significant support from the New Generation Group and Outward Bound Oman, noting that the Society implements several programmes, among them the teaching of Arabic at the Sultan Qaboos Institute for Teaching Arabic to Non-Native Speakers in the Wilayat of Manah and a volunteer programme for Omani students.

He added that support has also been provided to Omani students in the United Kingdom, leading to initiatives and opportunities for practical training, All these programmes encourage future generations to nurture the close ties between the two countries, he said.

At the beginning of the reception, Richard Stanford, Chairman of the Anglo-Omani Society, delivered an address welcoming His Highness the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs.

He commended the long-standing relations between the Oman and the United Kingdom, founded on friendship, mutual trust and shared understanding.

On the sidelines of the reception, meetings were held between officials from Oman and the UK.

Present during the ceremony alongside Sayyid Theyazin were His Highness Sayyid Lu’ai bin Ghalib Al Said, Secretary-General of the Diwan of the Royal Court; Sayyid Hamoud bin Faisal Albusaidi, Minister of Interior; Sayyid Badr  Albusaidi, Foreign Minister; Dr Madiha Ahmed Al Shaibani, Minister of Education; Nasser bin Khamis Al Jashmi, Chairman of the Tax Authority; Hussain bin Ali bin Abdul Latif, Adviser at the Private Office; Anwar Al Jabri, Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion; Badr Almantheri, Oman’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom; Dr Liane Saunders,  the UK’s Ambassador to Oman and members of the Omani Embassy in London.