BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

20/05/2006

Al Khonji is honorary consul of Belarus

By A Staff Reporter

MUSCAT - Prominent Omani businessman and member of the Sanad executive committee, Khalil bin Abdullah Al Khonji, has been appointed honorary consul of Belarus.

The step aims at further promoting the ties between the two nations and activation of commercial, tourism, and cultural relations between Oman and Belarus.

Khalil, who was recently awarded by the government for his efforts to promote the cause of Omanisation, which in turn has helped create jobs in many sectors, said he was honoured to represent Belarus in the capacity of a consul (honorary) in Oman. "This job entails me with the responsibility of looking after the welfare of Belarus citizens in Oman," Khalil Al Khonji told the Times of Oman.

Soon, both Omanis and expatriates wanting to visit Belarus will be able to apply through our office (number: 24817855/24817369, e-mail: ocmoman@omantel.net.om ).

Previously, they had to go through the Belarus Embassy, which was in Abu Dhabi. "Soon, visitors to Belarus from Oman will no longer face any difficulties," Al Khonji said.

Appreciating the Royal trust for his appointment as honorary consul, Khonji said it would help further promote cooperation between Oman and Belarus in the economic, commercial, and tourism fields and also assist in generating investment opportunities in both countries.

"This has helped open up a market, which would enhance re-export opportunities from the Omani market to Belarus and other markets of former Soviet Republic," Khonji said.

In a visit, which will be the first of its kind, Khonji, will be heading a trade delegation to Belarus in mid-June.

Belarus, which is known as 'White Russia' is a wonderful country, he noted. "They call it a country of modest, intelligent beauty. Perhaps, this is one of the few remaining places on our planet where one can see the amazing miracle - the miracle of untouched nature," Khonji said.

It is a country, where, in the very centre of Europe, time seems to have considerably slowed down its run.

"In Belarus, nature remains real, people remain human and values remain eternal.

"Belarus is an island of calmness in the swirl of seething time, a place of wise harmony of the body and soul," Khonji said.

Belarus attained its independence in 1991, after seven decades as a constituent of the then republic of the USSR. It has retained closer, political and economic ties to Russia than any of the other Soviet republics.

Belarus and Russia signed a treaty on a two-way state union in 1999, envisioning greater political and economic integration.

Khalil is a board member in many government and private sector organisations. He is a board member of Muscat Municipality Council (Muttrah state), M. A. Al Khonji group; Oman Construction Materials, Omani Centre for Investment Promotion and Export Development, Oman Air (member of audit and executive committee). He was also former member and secretary of the businessmen council.

A graduate in industrial management and technology from the University of Northern Colorado, USA, Khonji is the public face - from the private sector and government end - of the grand Omanisation drive that the Sultanate has embarked upon.

Source:

http://www.timesofoman.com/newsdetails.asp?newsid=30226&pn=local