The Arab country’s national day commemorates both the 1970 ascension to power of its current leader, Sultan Qaboos bin Said, as well as his birthday on Nov. 18.

“Today represents the beginning of development and a new era for the people of Oman,” remarked Sulaiman Bin Sultan Al-Mughairy, director of the Commercial Office of the Sultanate of Oman in Taiwan. “It’s like a new birth for our country.”

To mark the occasion, Sulaiman, who has lived for over a decade in Taiwan, delivered a speech in Taiwanese. “This is just to prove that I’m a ‘new Taiwanese’ now!” he said smilingly afterwards to the guests who attended the banquet.

The director noted that bilateral trade volume between Taiwan and Oman has reached an annual average of US$1 billion in recent years — up from less than US$100 million just 17 years ago when the sultanate’s commercial office was first established in Taipei.

The exchanges in the fields of tourism and investment have also improved significantly, he added.

“In my humble opinion, these developments are a clear proof of the two sides’ determination and commitment to work together for the mutual benefit of their people,” said Sulaiman.

Even though Taiwan and Oman do not hold official ties, the two sides maintain close relations and frequent exchanges in the areas of trade, tourism and culture, said Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Javier Hou, who was also at hand for the celebration.

“Taiwan and Oman are very important economic partners,” Hou noted, citing Taiwan customs statistics which in 2007 placed bilateral trade at over US$860 million, while this year the same figure had already been toppled by August at US$890 million.