(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) To develop its farm and agriculture sector, Oman is looking forward to strengthen its ties with Brazil. To chalk out the future course of action, H E Khalid Salim al Jaradi, the Omani Ambassador to Brazil, met Antônio Andrade, the Brazilian minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply in Sao Paulo recently.
H E Jaradi discussed technical partnership in agri-businesses. Oman wants to learn from the Brazilian experience in horizontal farming, sewage water treatment, plant and animal disease control, and training and exchange of expertise in the field of agriculture and veterinary services.
H E Jaradi said that development of its agricultural sector is of paramount interest to Oman as it is vital for food security. The ambassador added that Brazil is one of the largest food producing and exporting countries and its agriculture sector ranks among the most advanced in the world.
''We want to take advantage of Brazil's experience and position and get their expertise in farming, water treatment, disease control and also training our manpower in the sector,'' H E Jaradi said.
He added that the sultanate is also looking to export dates and some other agricultural products.
H E Dr Fuad bin Jaafar bin Mohammed al Sajwani, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, at the time of the visit of then Vice President of Brazil, Michel Temer to Oman earlier this year, had said that development of aquaculture was another sector that the sultanate was looking up to Brazil to get support from.
''There is a tremendous interest in aquaculture from the private sector in Oman, and companies are investing heavily in the sector. Brazil can be one of the important sources for establishing strategic partnership with companies here,'' the minister had told Muscat Daily.
Bulk of Brazilian exports to the sultanate consists of iron ore, poultry and airplanes, while sardines, fertilisers and marble are the main import items.
Total bilateral trade in 2012 was US$1.133bn (RO436mn), of which Brazilian exports stood at US$1.129bn (RO434mn) and Omani exports at US$4mn (RO1.54mn).
In January and February 2013, total trade stood at US$229mn (RO88.05mn), with Brazilian exports put at US$225mn (RO86.51mn) and Omani exports at US$4mn (RO1.54mn).
DuringTemer's visit in April, three agreements were signed including one on bilateral political consultation. Another pact establishes the Brazil-Oman Joint Commission, and the last one concerns cooperation in sports.
(With inputs from ONA)
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