Muscat: The Omani-Brunei Joint Committee held its fourth meeting in Muscat today to discuss means of enhancing cooperation between the two countries in the economic, investment, and cultural fields. The Omani delegation was led by Dr. Saleh Said Massan, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion for Commerce and Industry, while Dr. Hajah May Fa’ezah binti Haji Ahmad Ariffin, Permanent Secretary (Economy) at the Ministry of Finance and Economy, headed the Brunei delegation.
According to Oman News Agency, the meeting reviewed the trade and investment relations between Oman and Brunei and explored ways to promote them in sectors of mutual interest. This includes the exchange of expertise in best practices for writing and developing curricula, drafting school books, and career guidance programs. Both sides also focused on enhancing cooperation in student guidance programs, health awareness initiatives, and studying labor market trends and future needs.
The discussions extended to organizing regular dialogue sessions featuring prominent writers and thinkers from both countries, encouraging mutual participation in cultural, sports, and youth festivals, events, and exhibitions. The agenda also included organizing training camps for sports teams in tourist cities in both countries.
Further agreements were made to enhance the exchange of scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate studies, support student and academic exchanges between higher education institutions in Oman and Brunei, and facilitate the exchange of information regarding recognition applications for Omani higher education institutions in Brunei. Moreover, cooperation in teaching Arabic to non-native speakers and organizing bilateral programs between higher education institutions in both countries were highlighted, with an emphasis on benefiting from Brunei Vision 2035 in lifelong learning and private education.
The Omani delegation expressed interest in leveraging Brunei Darussalam’s experience to improve its human development index ranking. This includes encouraging investment in tourism projects and products, exchanging expertise in training and qualifying workers for tourism site management, and local community empowerment initiatives. Additionally, both sides aim to identify best practices in sustainable tourism development and promotion, supporting the establishment of unique and high-quality tourism projects serving the common interests of Oman and Brunei.