On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Oman (June 9, 1992-2022), Ambassador Saleh Mohamed Ahmed Al Sagri shared about the achievements as well as the important development prospects of the relationship between the two countries.

He said: During the past 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two countries have made unremitting efforts to strengthen and develop bilateral relations in all fields and levels, typically, mutual support at international forums, exchange of high-level official visits and meetings to promote trade between businesses of the two countries.

The two sides have signed about 10 Agreements and 3 Memorandums of Understanding in many fields from politics to economy, investment and trade. One of the important agreements is the establishment of the Vietnam-Oman Joint Committee for Economic Cooperation; Agreement on the establishment of a joint business council; and Agreement to establish a political consultation group.

The two sides have also held many important meetings, in which, the most recent third session of the Vietnam-Oman Joint Committee for Economic Cooperation was held in Hanoi in March 2018, chaired by the two Ministers of Industry and Trade and the third political consultation meeting held in October 2019 in Muscat, chaired by two Deputy Ministers of the two countries.

These two meetings aim to support the development of relations between the two countries, towards increasing official state visits and unifying cooperation in the fields of economy and investment, food security and services, as well as cooperation in the fields of agriculture, fisheries, oil and gas.

Are the above potential data an important driving force to promote cooperation between Vietnam and Oman?

It can be seen that the Agreements, Memorandum of Understanding, joint meetings and mutual visits are all within the framework of consolidating and strengthening the friendly relationship between the two countries. It is a continuous, dynamic process between the two parties. We hope that the relationship will continue to grow and both sides pay more direct visits in the near future.

The two countries have witnessed a trade growth of 120% since the two sides established relations. Bilateral trade reached about 200 million USD.

Vietnam is a major rice exporter in the world while Oman has strengths in exporting liquefied petroleum gas and has high oil reserves, as well as developing renewable energy and seaports. Oman has many large-capacity seaports, but the two countries have not established a direct sea route connection yet.

Bilateral trade turnover can grow significantly if shipping lines and direct flights are opened between the two countries.

The Vietnam-Oman Investment Fund (VOI) is considered a typical model for bilateral investment activities. How do you evaluate the role of the VOI?

The Vietnam-Oman Investment (VOI) joint venture is considered an important bridge between the two countries. As a joint venture between OIA (formerly the State General Reserve Fund of Oman - SGRF) in Vietnam and the State Capital Investment Corporation of Vietnam (SCIC), VOI was established and operated on the basis of an agreement between the two countries and support from both Governments since 2008.

From the initial committed capital of 100 million USD in 2009, through VOI, Oman has disbursed more than 300 million USD in various fields in Vietnam to date, which focuses on the fields of healthcare, services, renewable energy, clean water, hi-tech agriculture, and many other areas supporting sustainable development in Vietnam.

In particular, the VOI Foundation pays great attention to human development in Vietnam and has expanded its investment in education as well as awarding scholarships to students of Van Lang University, sponsoring international chess tournaments in Vietnam, and implementing many social security projects, such as building schools in the central region and through the VOI-Aikya joint venture providing masks and medical supplies to accompany the Government and people of Vietnam in the prevention and control of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Oman is the bridge between Vietnam and the Middle East and Africa. Do you think the ability of Oman to open direct sea routes from Oman to Vietnam is necessary and beneficial? What support do we need from the two governments to make it happen?

It is undeniable that Oman and Vietnam are both located in strategic locations. Oman links the Middle East and East Africa, while Vietnam has a prime location in Asia. Both countries share a maritime border of more than 3,000km. Oman has key ports of Duqm, Salalah and Sohar with international standards, while Vietnam also has many important seaports such as Hai Phong port in the North, Da Nang port, Quy Nhon port in the central region, and Saigon port in the South.

Thanks to this very important geo-economic and geopolitical position, the two countries can find suitable mechanisms to connect by sea and by air. This is a favourable condition for future cooperation, especially the linkage between the two sides.

How do you evaluate the prospects and opportunities to elevate the relationship between Vietnam and Oman after 30 years of development between the two countries?

Cooperation between the two sides is a continuous and dynamic process, requiring a mechanism to promote, monitor and persistently pursue from the two countries, thereby consolidating and developing in various fields of cooperation, especially in economic development, trade and other important fields that help bind the two countries.

We believe that the efforts of the leaders of the two countries, especially Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq Al Said and President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, will continue to raise the level of cooperation between Oman and Vietnam in various fields, in line with common interests, serving the friendship between people of the two countries.

Bao Duc