MUSCAT: Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor's official visit to Oman from Sunday will further strengthen relations between Malaysia and the sultanate, and may indirectly boost linkages between the two countries in fields like early childhood education, trade and tourism, according to a Malaysian diplomat.
The Jan 16-19 visit by the wife of the Malaysian prime minister is all the more significant as this will be the first time in 20 years that a visiting dignitary from Malaysia is being received as a guest of the state of Oman.
The last Malaysian dignitary accorded such a rarefied status was the then Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Azlan Shah, when he visited Oman back in 1991, said Mohamad Norhisyam Mohamad Yusof, charge d'affaires at the Malaysian embassy in Muscat.
Speaking to Malaysian journalists ahead of Rosmah's arrival, he said: "The government of Oman is very selective in extending invitations of that nature, meaning that the one extended to Datin Seri Rosmah is a reflection of the close and cordial ties between the two moderate Muslim countries."
He further said that Oman's invitation for Rosmah to visit the country could be seen as a recognition of her tireless efforts in promoting a cause close to her heart -- early childhood education under the Permata programme -- as well as her role in empowering women in Malaysia.
Norhisyam said he viewed Rosmah's role as complementary to that of her husband, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, in promoting the policies and positions of the Malaysian Government.
Rosmah is scheduled to have an audience with Oman's Deputy Prime Minister Sayyid Fahad bin Mahmood Al-Said.
Omani Social Development Minister Dr Sharifa bint Khalfan Al-Yahya'eyah will also call on the Malaysian prime minister's wife.
Rosmah will be joined on the trip by members of the Association of Wives of Ministers and Deputy Ministers (Bakti), of which she is president.
Malaysia and Oman established diplomatic relations in 1983.
Norhisyam said there were approximately 900 Malaysians in Oman, the majority working in the petroleum sector.
"And they're eagerly awaiting the arrival of Datin Seri Rosmah in Muscat," he added.
He said bilateral trade between Malaysia and Oman stood at nearly RM500 million during January-October 2010, with Malaysia's main exports to Oman being edible oil; machinery, appliances and parts; wood products; and electrical and electronic products.
According to him, there were ample opportunities for Malaysian companies in Oman's infrastructure projects like roads and highways, airport construction, as well as education.
Norhisyam noted that Malaysia was a favourite destination among Omani holidaymakers.
"The number of visitors from Oman to Malaysia is increasing over the years. In 2010 alone, we received 18,300 people from Oman, an increase of 20 per cent over the figure for 2009," he said.
He said the growth in the number of visitors from Oman in 2011 was projected to be in the 15 to 20 per cent range as compared to last year.
The diplomat also said that more than 400 Omani students were studying in Malaysian institutions of higher learning last year.
"My greatest hope is that the visit by Datin Seri Rosmah will lead to more opportunities for further collaboration between Malaysia and Oman, and bring the close and cordial relations between both sides to another level," he added.
The visit to Oman follows Rosmah's recent trip to Saudi Arabia. After Oman, she will head for Bangladesh. - BERNAMA