News: The Business Times -  2 February 2010


Omani gift underlines old ties: SM Goh
By TEH SHI NING
IN MUSCAT, OMAN


OMAN Sultan Qaboos' gift of a 9th century Arabian dhow to Singapore symbolises the ancient trading links underpinning the countries' friendship and the desire on both sides to renew these historical ties, said Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong.

Yesterday, he officiated the launch ceremony of The Jewel of Muscat, an 18-metre-long vessel which replicates a dhow shipwrecked in Indonesia's Belitung Straits. Built traditionally without a single nail, the Arabian dhow used to ply shipping routes of old.

'The dhow underlines the importance of our ties today with Oman, ties that go all the way back to the 9th century,' Mr Goh said.

And at a gala dinner celebration last night, Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Zainul Abidin Rasheed said: 'Asia and the Middle East are old friends. We have been linked not only by the famous Silk Road and Spice Route but also by the Maritime Silk Route.'

The dhow will retrace that old route through Indian, Sri Lankan and Malaysian ports when it sets sail from Oman for Singapore later this month.

'As small trading nations and gateways to our respective regions, Singapore and Oman are natural partners,' Mr Zainul said.

An Omani captain will lead the crew of about 15, including Omanis and Singaporeans, which will sail the vessel to Singapore by June or July.

It will then be permanently displayed on land near the Tang Treasures, a set of 60,000 Chinese artefacts discovered on the Belitung wreck. The exact site has not been decided on yet.

The cost of building the dhow, which took less than a year, was undertaken by Oman, while Singapore has invited corporate sponsorship for the voyage leg of this project.

One such sponsor is Mini Environment Service (MES) which contributed $100,000.

The company was appointed by the Omani Centre for Investment Promotion and Export as its Singapore representative last July, and its trading and logistics division assists Singapore companies looking to trade or invest in Oman and vice versa.

Business development manager Yusof Lateef said that MES has been 'courting Singapore companies' and has seen interest, although development will take time. MES director MAJ Jinna added that he thinks 'both Oman and Singapore's leaders have done well' in bilateral ties and opportunities for business. They were among several Singaporean businessmen present at yesterday's launch.

Recent trade statistics testify to the revival of trading links between Oman and Singapore which the dhow is meant to signify. Bilateral trade grew from $576 million in 2007 to $1.07 billion last year.

- end of BT article