Oman-Holland sign MoUs to strengthen ties

Sultan Qaboos Bin Saeed hosted an official banquet at Al Alam Palace late on Tuesday evening in honour of Queen Beatrix Wilhelmina of Netherlands even as Oman and Holland signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) in different fields to boost ties between the two countries. Before the banquet, the Sultan and Queen Beatrix exchanged orders. Sultan Qaboos conferred the Al Saeed Order on the Queen who conferred on the Lion of Holland Order on the Omani ruler. Sultan Qaboos conferred the Renaissance Grand Order on Prince William Alexander, Dutch Crown Prince and Sultan Qaboos Order " First Class" to His wife Princess Maxima. The Omani monarch also conferred Al Nu'man Order "first second and third Class" to a number of ministers and high ranking officials in the Dutch delegation. Queen Beatrix Wilhelmina conferred orders on Their Highnesses, ministers and senior officials in the Sultanate. A MoU in the field of technical education and vocational training was signed by Abdullah Bin Nasser Al Bakri, Manpower Minister and Uri Rosenthal, Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Dr. Muna Bint Salim Al Jardani, Undersecretary at the Manpower Ministry for Technical Education and Vocational Training said told Oman News Agency (ONA) that the MoU includes the exchange of visits among Omani and Dutch specialists, reviewing the Dutch experience in the field of technical education and vocational training and benefiting from the things that are compatible with the educational systems applied in the vocational training centres and technical colleges. She added that the Manpower Ministry will immediately implement the MoU. Another agreement worth 27,650,000 Omani riyals was signed between the Transport and Communications Ministry and Vanderlande Industries International Company of Holland for the supply, installation, testing and operating of the luggage handling systems for Muscat and Salalah International Airports. During a reception at the Bustan Palace Hotel for Queen Beatrix , which was attended by a number of ministers and Omani businessmen, Maxime Verhagen, Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation that the second visit by the Queen of the Netherlands will enhance horizons of mutual cooperation between the two countries. Verhagen referred to the Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) and agreements signed today by the two countries saying that these agreements will strengthen cooperation ties between the Sultanate and Holland in many fields. They will also create new opportunities for individuals, companies and