Oman’s sultan begins first UK state visit in 44 years
Sultan Haitham bin Tarik was welcomed by King Charles at Windsor at the start of a state visit to Britain, the first by an Omani ruler since 1982. The programme includes talks with Prime Minister Andy Burnham and meetings in London. The visit follows earlier discussions between the leaders on navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
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Windsor welcomes the sultan
Sultan Haitham bin Tarik began a state visit to Britain on October 20 with a welcome at Windsor by King Charles III. Queen Camilla, William and Kate also attended the welcome.[1], [2]
This is the first state visit by an Omani ruler in 44 years. Sultan Qaboos visited Queen Elizabeth II in 1982. Prince William escorted Haitham from his London residence to Windsor, where the programme included gun salutes, a carriage procession and an inspection of the guard of honour. Haitham travelled with Charles in the Irish State Coach, a royal carriage used for the procession.[1]
The programme includes talks with Burnham
The sultan’s delegation included Shihab bin Tariq, deputy prime minister for defence affairs, and Crown Prince Theyazin bin Haitham, deputy prime minister for economic affairs. Haitham viewed Royal Collection objects and photographs relating to Oman. A state banquet at Windsor was scheduled for Tuesday evening as part of the visit.[1]
His programme includes a Wednesday meeting with Prime Minister Andy Burnham in Downing Street and a City of London banquet that evening. A Thursday visit to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is intended to examine its transformation into an economic centre. Burnham and Haitham discussed navigation in the Strait of Hormuz during a conversation in July.[1]
Business leaders pursue investment links
Omani business leaders promoting the country’s free zones met investors and policymakers at Guildhall in London as the visit began. Muscat Stock Exchange chief executive Haitham Al Salmi described facilitating bilateral investment as a major goal of the visit. He said the exchange was building relationships with the London Stock Exchange while seeking a move from frontier-market status to the secondary-emerging category. FTSE Russell, the market-index provider, placed it on an upgrade watch list in September. The business gathering also discussed cooperation in healthcare, life sciences and genomics.[1]
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