US praises His Majesty’s far-sighted vision

MUSCAT: The US Ambassador to the Sultanate Marc J Sievers said that the American administration fully appreciates the far-sighted vision and efforts undertaken by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos to strengthen regional relations, ease tensions and seek new ways to broaden regional ties.

“The US-Oman relationship is deep and strong, with roots going back for nearly 190 years, and I have no doubt whatsoever that our partnership will only strengthen with time,” Sievers told Al Roya Daily in an interview.

Sievers also added that he believes there are growing opportunities to take bilateral ties into new territory, as both countries are delving even deeper into issues of mutual interest, to include cooperative endeavours on business development, as well as science and technology.

The ambassador mentioned that the United States and the Sultanate enjoy mutual respect, mutual trust and mutual friendship on a government-to-government and people-to-people level. “As a result, we have together formed a basis of understanding as well a basis for cooperation that allows for deep collaboration on a wide range of is- sues,” Sievers said.

Sievers assured that “a strong, secure and prosperous Oman is very much in the interests of the United States and we remain committed to do whatever we can to support our common goals”.

Ambassador Sievers announced that since the implementation of the US-Oman Free Trade Agreement in 2009, Omani trade with the United States has increased at an annual rate of approximately 12 per cent. According to the National Centre for Statistics and Information in Oman, US foreign direct investment in Oman was $215.6 million at the end of the third quarter in 2016, Sievers said.

Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry says there are 186 registered American companies in Oman.

Sievers also illustrated that the bilateral US-Oman Free Trade Agreement allows American companies to register as Omani firms, with 100 per cent American ownership, and no requirement for local ownership or partners.

“As more American companies become aware of the many investment opportunities that exist in the Sultanate, I’m sure we’ll see an even greater US business presence here, as well as expanded Omani investment in the United States,” the Ambassador expected.