Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah kicked off an official visit to Oman on Tuesday, meeting Sultan Haitham bin Tareq at the al-Alam Palace in Muscat.
According to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), the talks reviewed the deep-rooted ties between the two countries and addressed boosting bilateral relations in various fields.
The discussions addressed the ways of expanding frameworks to support and enhance the progress of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the most prominent issues of common interest, and the latest regional and international developments.
Sheikh Meshal had arrived in Muscat on Tuesday afternoon and was welcomed by the Sultan of Oman.
The Kuwaiti delegation was received at Muscat Airport by Deputy Prime Minister for Defense Affairs Shihab bin Tariq, Minister of the Diwan of Royal Court Khalid bin Hilal Al Busaidi, Minister of the Royal Office Lieutenant General Sultan bin Mohammad al-Numani, Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, Ambassador to Kuwait Saleh al-Kharusi, and the Kuwaiti Ambassador to Oman Mohammad al-Hajri.
The Kuwaiti delegation included Sheikh Mohammed Abdulaziz Al Jarrah Al Sabah, Sheikh Hamad Sabah Al Ahmed Al Sabah, Sheikh Mubarak Al Hamoud Al Jaber Al Sabah, Sheikh Athbi Nassir Al Athbi Al Sabah, Sheikh Ali Khalid Al Jaber Al Sabah, Sheikh Mansour Mubarak Abdullah Al Jaber Al Sabah, Sheikh Bassil Al Hamoud Al Malik Al Sabah, and other officials.
Sheikh Meshal will inaugurate the Duqm Refinery and Petrochemical Industries on Wednesday.
The Duqm refinery is a $9 billion joint venture between Oman's OQ Group and Kuwait Petroleum International in Oman's Duqm Industrial Zone. The Refinery represents a valuable addition to the global energy market by providing high-quality oil products and enhancing Oman's refining capabilities by up to about 500,000 barrels per day.
Omani Ambassador to Kuwait Saleh al-Kharusi said Sheikh Meshal’s visit would further bolster ties between the countries.
In a statement to KUNA, Kharusi said the visit was of high significance for both countries, especially with Sheikh Meshal only ascending the throne in December.
The ambassador stressed that bilateral ties were witnessing a new phase with the launch of the al-Duqm refinery, which began actual production in recent months with a capacity of 230,000 barrels per day.
He added that investment in the project, including a petrochemical complex, amounted to USD nine billion, making it one of the most important ventures in the GCC countries.
Kharusi noted that the Duqm area was one of the region's most important economic zones, spanning 1,200 square kilometers and boasting a strategic location on the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean.
The ambassador also said that the two countries were eager to boost ties in all possible domains, commending, in this regard, the recent outcome of the ninth session of the Omani-Kuwaiti joint committee meeting held in Muscat last March.
