Gul seeks improved relations with Oman

Starting today, President Abdullah Gul is set to pay a three-day visit to Oman at the invitation of Omani Sultan Qaboos bin Said al-Said, with an eye to fostering bilateral relations, a Presidency statement announced yesterday. During his visit to the Omani capital of Muscat, scheduled for April 12-14, Gul will meet with the sultan and members of the Omani government. He is also expected to attend the Turkish-Omani Business Forum. Gul’s visit will be the first presidential visit since 1997, and he will discuss ways to further improve friendship, cooperation and new opportunities for cooperation in trade, investment and the defense industry. He will also address regional and international developments and relations between Turkey and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Relations between GCC countries and Turkey have accelerated in recent years and have been institutionalized through the strategic dialogue mechanism. The statement said Turkey has exerted great efforts to develop relations with Gulf countries in all areas in recent years, and aims to conclude the Turkey-GCC Free Trade Agreement as soon as possible. During the visit, Gul will be accompanied by several ministers, deputies, university faculty members, representatives of the business world and journalists. Turkish companies expect 5 billion of business with Oman. A Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) statement said a delegation of nearly 80 Turkish businesspeople will hold business contacts with their Omani counterparts as part of Gul’s visit. Turkish companies have submitted bids for tenders in Oman, which amount to $5 billion. Nearly $3 billion of the tenders are related to planned airports projects in the country.