Thursday 16 / January / 2025
Muscat: Oman celebrated Italian National Day at a gala event in Muscat’s Madinat Al Ilam.
Giorgio Visetti, Ambassador of Italy to Oman, said in his opening speech, “Let me first acknowledge with the highest esteem and respect His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, to whom I extend the most heartfelt thanks for his sympathy and interest towards Italy, support for the development of close bilateral relations, and for his great contribution to peace, cooperation and understanding in the world.”
“Italy,” he added, “shares with Oman the essential values of dialogue, inclusiveness, peaceful and co-operative engagement in world affairs and as a solution to international and internal crises and challenges.”
“The year 2017 has been an exceptional year for bilateral relations. I am proud of how the Italian engagement with the Sultanate has witnessed constructive interaction at all levels in all fields,” he added.
Detailing a list of accomplishments, Visetti said, “Two important business forums organised in Muscat, a joint commission adding momentum to overall cooperation, the accumulation of high-level competencies to support the Sultanate at a delicate economic juncture in advancing economic diversification, matching the made in Italy with the made in Oman, and the development of SMEs.”
On the occasion, Visetti awarded the Star of the Republic of Italy with the rank of Cavalere to Giovanni Gazzola, an Italian expat who was honoured for his contribution to boosting business ties between both countries.
The event was attended by a number of ministers and high-ranking officials in Oman, including Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Salim Al Futaisi, Minister of Transport and Communications, and Ahmed Al Mehrizi, Minister of Tourism.
