Oman, Spain sign agreements
MoUs cover defence, tourism, archives and double taxation — MUSCAT — Oman and the Kingdom of Spain signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in the field of archive and documentation at Al Alam Palace within the framework of the Spanish monarch’s visit to the Sultanate, yesterday. The Government of Oman was represented at the signing by Dr Hamad bin Mohammed al Dhawian, Chairman, National Records and Archives Authority (NRAA), while the Spanish side was represented by Don Gonzalo De Benito, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in the Kingdom of Spain. The head of the National Records and Archive said from now on the authority will be able to obtain historic documents regarding the relations between Oman and Spain since their outset to the present day, thanks to this MoU. NRAA previously signed a similar MoU with the National Archive of Spain as part of its approach which aims to procure any documents related to Oman.
“The MoU will further enhance cooperation between our National Records and Archive Authority and the National Archive of Spain, exchange of expertise and the holding of conferences and training courses and archive exhibitions. It will also make it easy for researchers and students to conduct scientific researches,” Al Dhawian. Meanwhile, Oman and Spain signed an agreement aimed at avoiding double taxation and tax evasion in income tax yesterday. Darwish bin Ismaeel al Balushi, Minister Responsible for Financial Affairs, and Don Gonzalo De Benito, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs signed on behalf of the Spanish government. Al Balushi said the agreement aims to regulate the imposition of taxes by the Omani or the Spanish government on individuals and companies residing in other country and bring a legal and legislative atmosphere as well as facilitate economic and trade liaison for investors and businessmen in both countries.
With this signing of the MoU, the Sultanate has reached a total of 35 agreements on the avoidance of double taxation with different countries and the government is seeking more agreements as they are useful particularly in boosting the Sultanate’s competitiveness in the world. The signing ceremony was attended by Saud bin Nasser al Shukaili, Secretary-General of Taxation and a number of officials at the Ministry of Finance and Spanish officials. A memorandum of understanding was also signed between the defence ministries of the two friendly countries. Sayyid Badr bin Saud al Busaidy, Minister Responsible for Defence Affairs, signed the MoU in the field of military cooperation with Pedro Morenes, the Spanish Minister of Defence at Al Alam Palace, yesterday in the presence of King Juan Carlos and the delegation accompanying him.
Meanwhile, the MoU in the tourism field was signed at the Al Alam Palace Guesthouse, yesterday. The Omani side was represented by Ahmed bin Nasser al Mehrzi, Minister of Tourism, and Jose Manuel Soria, Minister of Industry, Energy and Tourism, on behalf of the Spanish side. The minister of tourism said the MoU is aimed at enhancing tourism cooperation between the two countries including investment, exchange of visits and the formulation of a committee to lay down the guidelines of prospective cooperation in accordance to the requirements of each country. The MoU will draw a roadmap for viable tourism cooperation between Oman and Spain which has a great experience in the field of tourism, Al Mehrzi said, expressing the hope to benefit from the Spanish experience in tourism development. The Sultanate and Spain signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in the field of transport to strengthen cooperation between the two countries on the basis of common interest and joint work
The Omani side was represented at the signing by Dr Ahmed Mohammed al Futaisi, Minister of Transport and Communication, and Ana Maria Pastor Julian, Spain’s Minister of Public Works Transport. The MoU encompasses various fields such as the exchange of expertise and assessment of the transport development as well as boost project planning. It also includes the formation of a joint committee to be take the responsibility of coordination of the programmes and activities implemented by each side. Later in the day, Pedro Morenes, Spanish Defence Minister, paid a visit to the Royal Opera House Muscat where he was greeted by Dr Nasser bin Hamad al Ta’ee, ROHM Adviser of Education and Outreach, who briefed the guest on features of the cultural and artistic history of the Sultanate.
The guest toured various facilities and learnt about its architectural richness, its musical and rare collectibles, some dating back to the 17th century. At the end of the visit, the Spanish Defence Minister expressed his delight to visit this unique cultural landmark and wrote down his impressions in the VIP book, wishing the visit would establish for further communication between the two countries. — ONA
