Oman is hopeful to perk up its tourism & improve digital economy with China

Published on : Monday, April 19, 2021

Under stepped-up cooperation with China, Oman is quite hopeful to perk up its tourism and improve its digital economy. Oman, a member of the League of Arab States, has recently explained that to Chinese investment, it’s opening all its financial sectors. In addition to tourism and information technology, the Middle Eastern nation has recognized human resources as yet another sector with huge possibility for greater cooperation with China.

Norafidah Ismail, a lecturer at the School of International Studies at University Utara Malaysia, has explained that assistance on the digital economy between China and Oman “is imperative and urgent”.

“The call of Chinese Foreign Minister (Wang Yi) on Oman to jointly work (on) China-Arab data security cooperation is practical,” Ismail said. “One of the many reasons, according to the foreign minister, is to highlight the importance of developing countries during the rule formulation regarding global digital economy.”

In March on his visit, Wang mentioned that he is anticipating seeing the joint execution of the Initiative on China-Arab Data Security Cooperation. The pact would “help raise the voice of developing countries” in this field, he said.

On March 29th, China and the 22-member League of Arab States have signed the agreement. This was a landmark move targeted at upgrading their digital relations and collaborating against cyber threats and promoting technological development.

In addition to virtual connectivity, China and Oman have decided to abolish visas for travelers from the two countries, with the partnership creating contracts related to culture, media and health as well.

Dubai-based Froilan Malit Jr, a Middle East migration specialist from the University of Cambridge in England, explained that the visa-free arrangements between China and Oman “reflect their deepening interstate diplomatic relations”.

As most Persian Gulf countries have more and more liberalized their immigration policies, “Oman’s response is not an outlier”, Malit said. “It reflects Oman’s strategic attempt to encourage more immigration (and) tourism.”