Al-Diwan Al-Amiri News

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sent on Wednesday a cable to the Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq, expressing gratitude towards the great hospitality His Highness received during his state visit to the Sultanate. In the cable, His Highness the Amir said that he felt the Omani leadership and people's great hospitality, affirming that it was another milestone in the historic relations between the two brotherly nations. He commended the stature of Oman as one of the leading nations in the region and the world, expressing tremendous appreciation for being honored with the Order of Al-Said, which reflected sentiments of brotherhood and solidarity. His Highness the Amir also said he was elated to have join Sultan Haitham in the opening of Al-Duqm Refinery and Petrochemical Industries Company, which embodies a quantum leap in Kuwait-Omani economic partnership. His Highness hoped that the vital joint project would be beneficial for both countries and add to their economic development.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sent a cable Wednesday to Namibian President Nangolo Mbumba, expressing his sincere condolences on the passing of the former President of Namibia Hage Geingob. His Highness the Amir also congratulated Mbumba on his swearing-in as President of Namibia, wishing him success and good health, and further development of Kuwait-Namibia relations.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and an official delegation accompanying him arrived in the State of Al-Duqm Wednesday to co-patronize and inaugurate with Sultan Haitham bin Tareq of Oman Al-Duqm Refinery and Petrochemical Industry. His Highness the Amir was received by Belarb bin Haitham Al-Saeed, chairman of board of Oman Central Bank Taimor bin Asaad Al-Saeed and Minister of the Sultanate Court Khaled bin Helal Al-Busaeedi. The motorcade of His Highness the Amir and Sultan Haitham headed to Al-Duqm Refinery and Petrochemical Industries for the inauguration. Citizens and children were welcoming His Highness the Amir and Sultan Haitham.

Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq held a banquet in honor of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and his accompanying delegation on the occasion of the state visit.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah departed, along with official accompanying delegation Oman, concluding a state visit. His Highness was seen off at the airport by Sultan Oman Haitham Bin Tareq and a senior delegation. His Highness the Amir and His Majesty the Sultan patronized earlier in the day the official inauguration of Al-Duqm Refinery and Petrochemical Industries.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tareq of Oman patronized Wednesday the official inauguration of Al-Duqm Refinery and Petrochemical Industries in the State of Al-Duqm, Oman. The motorcade of His Highness the Amir and Sultan Haitham arrived at the refinery with people of Al-Wusta Governorate welcoming them and performing folkloric arts. They were received by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Oil Dr. Imad Al-Atiqi, Oman's Minister of Finance Sultan bin Salem Al-Habsi and senior officials. A film was displayed about the project, considered the largest investment venture in refinery and petrochemicals sector. The film showed the vital role of Kuwait-Oman partnership in the journey of the refinery. Head of Oman's investment authority Abdulsalam Al-Murshidi said the inauguration of Al-Duqm refinery was a continuation of history between Oman and Kuwait, both working in one place "and continue this historic legacy for the future generations to be a guideline for prosperity and progress." He said the USD-nine-billion refinery was the largest investment project between two Arab Gulf countries in refineries and petrochemical sector. Al-Murshidi said Al-Duqm refinery was projected to increase Oman's refining capacity to 500,000 bpd from 230,000 bpd. He said the project was completed despite economic and political challenges. "The determination overcame all obstacles ... and challenges ... ." He said the refinery and petrochemical industries were located in Al-Duqm economic zone which has a unique location and thus lucrative for investments. Al-Murshidi pointed out the establishment of facilities that would support the refinery and petrochemical industries, and thanked KPC, Kuwait Petroleum International (KPI) and Oman's OQ for their endless efforts that saw the completion of this mega project. Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) CEO Sheikh Nawaf Suad Al-Sabah said the inauguration of Al-Duqm Refinery and petrochemical industries reflected the history between Kuwait and Oman. "The story with you my brothers did not start with Al-Duqm but with diving ships when our grandfathers" went in rough journeys looking for pearls, he said, and Allah the Almighty rewarded them following decades of struggle. Al-Duqm refinery, he said, will be processing crude oil from Kuwait and Oman thus honoring strategic objectives of KPC, according to which the corporation engage in investment opportunities with international partners to boost "our refining capacity in promising markets." The aim, said Sheikh Nawaf, is to reach a capacity of 425,000 barrels per day by 2025. Thanks to "cooperation of our brothers in Oman, we achieved this goal ahead of schedule." He expressed gratitude for all workers who contributed to this success. He said challenges facing the oil and gas industry "are not easy," foremost transform of energy which required safe and profitable operation of the refinery to make it an icon of innovation and excellence in international refining industry. His Highness the Amir and Sultan Haitham raised the curtain on a memorial plaque which marked the inauguration of the refinery. His Highness the Amir and Sultan Haitham were accompanied by Board chairman of OQ Group and Deputy Head of Oman Investment authority, Mulhem bin Bashir Al-Jurf to refinery's main control room and were briefed about operations of the refinery. His Highness the Amir was given a gift on this occasion. His Highness the Amir and Sultan Haitham left the refinery.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sent a cable of congratulations on Wednesday to Governor-General of Grenada Cecile La Grenade on the occasion of her country's national day. His Highness the Amir wished her good health and wellbeing, and Grenada further progress and prosperity.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq exchanged medals at Al-Alam Palace in the Omani capital Muscat. Sultan Haitham bin Tariq decorated His Highness the Amir with (Al-Saeed) Medal in recognition and appreciation for His Highness, while His Highness the Amir gifted Sultan Haitham (Mubarak Al-Kabir) Medal in appreciation of His Majesty and the distinguished achievements and efforts he has made for the Sultanate of Oman and its people.