Muscat: The fourth meeting of the Omani-Brunei Joint Committee took place in Muscat on Monday, focusing on strategies to strengthen collaboration between the two nations in economic, investment, and cultural sectors.
Dr. Saleh Said Massan, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion for Commerce and Industry, led the Omani delegation, while the Brunei delegation was headed by Dr. Hajah May Fa’ezah binti Haji Ahmad Ariffin, Permanent Secretary (Economy) at the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Brunei Darussalam.
The discussions centered on the trade and investment ties between the two countries, exploring ways to enhance these relations in areas of mutual interest.
Key topics included the sharing of expertise in curriculum development, the processes involved in creating educational materials, and career guidance initiatives in both nations. Additionally, the meeting aimed to bolster cooperation in student counseling programs, health awareness campaigns, and the analysis of labor market trends and future demands.
The agenda also covered the organization of regular dialogue sessions featuring distinguished writers and intellectuals from both countries, promoting joint participation in cultural, sports, and youth festivals, as well as events and exhibitions. Furthermore, there was a proposal to arrange training camps for sports teams in tourist destinations within both nations.
Both parties reached an agreement to increase the exchange of scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate studies, facilitate student and academic exchanges between higher education institutions in Oman and Brunei, streamline the process for recognizing Omani higher education institutions in Brunei, enhance cooperation in teaching Arabic to non-native speakers, and develop direct bilateral programs between Omani and Bruneian higher education institutions. They also expressed interest in leveraging Brunei Vision 2035 to advance lifelong learning and private education initiatives.
The Omani delegation conveyed its desire to leverage Brunei Darussalam’s expertise in elevating its position on the human development index. They emphasized the importance of fostering investment in tourism initiatives and products between the two nations. Additionally, they highlighted the need to strengthen collaboration in sharing knowledge and experiences related to training and developing personnel in tourism site management and local community empowerment efforts. The focus also included identifying exemplary practices in sustainable tourism development and promotion, as well as supporting the creation of distinctive and high-quality tourism projects and products that align with the mutual interests of both countries.
