South Korea is ready to partner with the Sultanate of Oman in the realisation of the latter’s vision to create a new energy economy powered by hydrogen, the Korean Ambassador said here last week.
Speaking at a reception to mark the Korean Foundation & Armed Forces Day, Ambassador Kim Chang-Kyu said Korea is well-positioned to support Oman’s decarbonisation goals given Seoul’s prioritisation of hydrogen as the driver of its future economy
Commending the Sultanate of Oman on its green ambitions, the Ambassador said: “the Sultanate of Oman has a world reputation as a reliable energy producer and exporter. The Sultanate of Oman is well placed due to its climate, location and know-how to drive the shift towards renewables and hydrogen. Policies including the Hy-Fly initiative to drive the development and deployment of hydrogen are in line with Oman Vision 2040.”
In this regard, Ambassador Kim described Korea as a “suitable partner for the Sultanateof Oman” in the development of the latter’s next growth engine. Seoul, he further noted, has prioritised hydrogen as a key factor in its future economic development.
“Green hydrogen has emerged as a key enabler in committing to carbon neutrality and coping with the climate crisis’’, said Ambassador Kim, adding: “I am very confident that this emerging marketplace will provide new opportunities for our businesses to further strengthen the bilateral strategic partnership.”
Dr Mohammed bin Hamad al Rumhy, Minister of Energy and Minerals, was the Guest of Honour at the event, which was also attended by dignitaries from the State Council, Majlis Ash’shura, Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, Foreign Ministry and Ministry of Defence.
In his address, Ambassador Kim also praised the “close economic partnership” enjoyed by the two countries.
“Korea is the Sultanate of Oman’s fifth largest trading partner (after) China, India, UAE and Saudi Arabia. Both countries are in close talks to take this cooperation further by exploring new avenues in the future, such as Smart Technology and Green Energy.”
He also lauded the Sultanate of Oman government for its efforts to position the country as a logistics destination.
“The Sultanate of Oman, leveraging on its geostrategic location, is becoming a global hub for logistics. I cannot overstate the importance of logistics in the global value chain, health and food security.
According to the World Bank, the Port of Salalah is ranked 6th among the 351 ports globally in its operational efficiency.
Within a decade, every business and investor will pursue location, location and location’’, he remarked.
By harnessing its full potential at the midpoint between Africa and the South Asia, the Sultanate of Oman can emerge as the “master of connectivity and marketability”, he further noted.
Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, there were high level exchange visits by the two countries, said Ambassador Kim.
Notable was the visit of the Korean Defence Minister and Vice Foreign Minister to Muscat this year, as well as the visit of the Omani Defence Secretary General to Seoul — visits that demonstrated “strong political support towards our shared goal of peace and security”, he added.
