‘Round and About the Gulf

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Kingdom of Bahrain

Wednesday, 7 October–Bahrain and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding cooperation on information exchange on refugees and asylum seekers. The MoU was virtually inked by the Kingdom’s Foreign Minister, Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani, and UNHCR Regional Representative, Khaled Khalifa.

 

State of Kuwait

Wednesday, 7 October–Kuwait’s Emir Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah named Mishaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah as Crown Prince, followed by an unanimous approval of the country’s Cabinet. The new Crown Prince has been Deputy Head of Kuwait’s National Guard since 2004 and previously  served as Head of State Security. Addressing the nation, Crown Prince Meshal stated that Kuwait will remain committed to supporting regional peace, democratic approaches and tolerance.

 

Sultanate of Oman

Monday, 5 October–Oman's Ministry of Energy and Minerals signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for oil exploration and production sharing with the Swedish company, Maha Energy. The energy firm will have the right to explore and produce in the 640-square-kilometre concession Block 70 as Oman seeks to find new oil fields and increase its oil production and reserves.

 

State of Qatar

Tuesday, 6  October–Qatar will allow foreign citizens to own and use properties in more areas as it aims to attract more investments in the country. The Qatari state will also grant residency to the owners of at least a $200,000 (USD) worth property and their families.

 

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Sunday, 4  October–Saudi Arabia resumed the Umrah pilgrimages, halted for seven months as a precautionary measure against the spread of COVID-19. Up to six thousands citizens and residents per day will be now allowed to carry out the pilgrimage.

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United Arab Emirates

Wednesday, 7  October–The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) signed an agreement with the Israel Export Institute (IEI) regarding bilateral trade and investment. The deal provisions bridging companies and strategic entities in the respective markets through industry delegations and the UAE-Israel joint events, increasing investment opportunities and resource access.

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The EU Corner

 

Tuesday, 6 October–The EU Council removed Oman from the list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes as it has passed the required reforms to adjust its tax policies. The decision came as a result of the Sultanate’s establishment of information exchange mechanisms with EU member states and its ratification of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters.

 

Key Official Visits

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Saturday, 3 October–Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs, Khalid bin Mohamed Al-Attiyah, received US Secretary of Defence, Mark Esper, in Doha amid unofficial reports that Qatar has sent a letter of request to the United States for acquiring the F-35 fighter jets.

 

Monday, 5 October–Oman reinstated its Ambassador to Syria, becoming the first Gulf country to do so since the 2011 civil war. Sultanate’s Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador, Turki bin Mahmood Al-Busaidy, met with Syria’s Foreign minister, Walid Al-Moallem, to discuss ways to develop bilateral cooperation. In 2018 the UAE and Bahrain announced the resumption of their embassies’ activities in Syria but they have not appointed ambassadors to the country.

 

Tuesday, 6 October–The UAE’s and Israel’s Foreign Ministers, Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan and Gabi Ashkenazi, held their first historic meeting in Berlin. They jointly visited the Holocaust Memorial along with Germany’s Foreign Minister, Heiko Maas. They later held a closed-door meeting to discuss cooperation in energy and industry and regional strategic issues. Minister Maas stated that Germany seeks to reinforce the new relationship between the two countries’ as part of its wider effortsAbdullah bin Zay