27 May 2016 - Philippine Ambassador to Oman Narciso T. Castañeda, joined other Heads of Missions from ASEAN member Embassies in Oman, in a tour of Sohar in the Al Batinah North Governorate on May 25.  

The tour organized by the ASEAN Committee in Muscat (ACM) was aimed at introducing ASEAN to Omani agencies and officials in Sohar and the Al Batinah North Governorate and to explore economic and trade cooperation. The ASEAN group held meetings with the Wali of Sohar, Sheikh Ali Bin Ahmed Al Shamsi; officials of the Al Batinah branch of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and officials of the Port of Sohar, Oman’s major port and transshipment hub.

During the meetings with the various officials in Sohar, Ambassador Castañeda expressed the willingness of the Philippines, as one of the world’s fastest growing economies, to engage in areas of mutual benefit particularly in agriculture, education, tourism and trade. “With the bustling business environment in Sohar, I am confident that Philippine businesses will see opportunities for cooperation leading to enhanced and better trade relations between the Philippines and Oman,” Ambassador Castañeda said.

The Sohar tour was highlighted by the visit to the Port of Sohar, Oman’s largest Port and a growing transshipment hub in the Middle East. The ASEAN Ambassadors were given a briefing on the programs of the Port and the Freezone, and were later given a tour of the on-going port and industrial infrastructure developments.

The Philippine Embassy is a member of the ACM, along with the Embassies of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and the Consulate General of Singapore. END