Japan shows keen interest in Duqm economic zone

Muscat: Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs Yousuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah and his Japanese counterpart Taro Kono held a press conference at the Foreign Ministry’s headquarters yesterday.
Alawi said the visit stresses the deep-rooted relationship between the Sultanate and Japan.
He added that the Omani- Japanese talks session covered a number of topics and discussed means of enhancing bilateral relationship to serve the interests of both people.
Japan Foreign Affairs Minister Taro Kono said that his country is looking forward to take part in a number of economic projects in the Sultanate, especially in the Special Economic Zone in Duqm (SEZD).
The talks also explored means of enhancing and developing economic cooperation, especially the Japanese projects in the SEZD.
On his part, Taro Kono hailed the efforts of the Sultanate and its wise policies - under the leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said- which seek to enhance understanding among people and countries of the world. He pointed out at that the Sultanate takes a unique stance in its endeavours to promote peace, prosperity and stability in the region.
He expressed his deep appreciation of the Sultanate’s government’s efforts to help Japan following the earthquake which hit his country recently.
He stressed the importance of accelerating the implementation of agreements to ensure more cooperation with the Sultanate.
He added that Japan is playing an important role in economic and other fields. He pointed out that cooperation in the field of power supply stood at 70 per cent in addition to cooperation in the field of water supplies which stood at 30 per cent.
He also said that implementation of the investment agreement with the Sultanate will enhance economic cooperation.
“Japan is already cooperating with the Sultanate in maritime environment, fish, environment projection and other fields,” he furthered.
“Japan is currently working to enhance the Indian Pacific strategy which aims at linking Africa, Middle East, India, Asia with the Western Coast of North America. The Sultanate has a strategic location in this strategy,” he added.
“Japan is concerned with the current developments in the region and is committed to political involvement in the Middle East issues as the Japanese economy is directly affected by stability and peace in the region. Japan can also play a big role in ensuring stability in the Middle East Region,” he concluded.