UK trade envoy flies in to promote special relations with Oman

Muscat: Lord Astor, the UK trade envoy, flew in to Oman for talks with education, defence and health ministries and to promote the special relationship between Oman and the UK.
The Conservative peer said he discussed training nurses, doctors, and young Omanis as part of the Sultanate’s Omanisation programme, as well as energy and defence issues.
Lord Astor said: “We want to strengthen our relationship and ensure that the UK is a partner of choice with Oman.
“There are several countries of huge importance to the UK and Oman is one of those. It’s a country I have had a long relationship with and a deep respect for. My wife and I have been out several times.
“The message is that the UK is an open and friendly business environment. UK exports to Oman in 2015 were £730 million, up 13 per cent year on year. UK imports from Oman in 2015 were £230 million, up 39 per cent year on year.
The United Kingdom’s ambassador to Oman, Jonathan Wilks, said training in health and education would help create the leaders of tomorrow in the Sultanate, “to help with the country’s Omanisation plans”.