The Minister of State for
Culture (Independent Charge) and Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Dr. Mahesh
Sharma led the Indian delegation to the second UN World tourism
Organization/UNESCO World Conference on Tourism and Culture, with focus on
sustainable development, which was held in Muscat, Capital city of Oman, during
11-12th December, 2017.
Speaking during the Ministerial Dialogue
on Tourism, Culture and Sustainable Development, Dr. Mahesh Sharma highlighted
India’s approach to sustainable development, while preserving nature and
India’s cultural heritage. The Conference had also on its agenda themes such as
culture and tourism as a factor of Peace and prosperity; tourism development
and protection of cultural heritage; culture and tourism and Urban Development
and creativity; and exploring cultural land escapes in tourism. The conference
also finalized the 2030 Agenda.
During his visit to Muscat, Dr. Mahesh
Sharma also held bilateral discussions on cooperation between India and Oman in
fields of culture and tourism. He met Minister of Tourism of Oman, Ahmed Bin
Naseer Bin Hamad al-Mehrzi and discussed cooperation in field of tourism,
including early conclusion of the MoU on cooperation in tourism between India
and Oman. There is a huge potential expanding tourism exchanges between the two
countries. People of Oman, due to their familiarity with India, visit India,
including for medical treatment.
Dr. Mahesh Sharma also met with Minister
of Heritage and Culture of Oman, H.H. Sayyid Haitham bin Tariq Al Said and
discussed with him the ways for expanding cultural exchanges between the two
countries. He also had a brief interaction with Deputy Prime Minister for
Council of Ministers of Oman, H.H. Sayyid Fahd Bin Mahmoud Al Said with focus
on expanding the Strategic Partnership between the two countries. On the
sidelines of the conference, Dr. Mahesh Sharma held a bilateral meeting with
Minister for Culture and Tourism of Turkey, wherein the two sides agreed to
institute a joint committee to explore areas for mutual cooperation in fields
of culture and tourism between India and Turkey.
There is a large Indian Community in
Oman, numbering around 0.8 million. Reflecting the commitment of the Government
of India to promote welfare of Indian communities abroad, Dr. Mahesh Sharma
addressed a gathering of Indian community at the Reception hosted on 12th
December at the Embassy in his honour by Ambassador of India to the Sultanate
of Oman, Shri Indra Mani Pandey and invited them to utilize the opportunities offered
by the fast growing Economy of India for investments and participate whole
heartedly in flagship projects of the Government like ‘Make In India’, clean
India, Digital India, Skill India. He also invited the community to join the
campaign for building a New India by 2022, launched by the Honourable Prime
Minister.
(Dr. Mahesh Sharma speaking at the Second UN World
Tourism Organization/UNESCO World Conference on Tourism and Culture held in
Muskat, Capital city of Oman)
(The Minister of State
for Culture (Independent Charge) and Environment, Forest & Climate Change,
Dr. Mahesh Sharma met Minister of Tourism of Oman, Ahmed Bin Naseer Bin Hamad
al-Mehrzi)
(The Minister of State
for Culture (Independent Charge) and Environment, Forest & Climate Change,
Dr. Mahesh Sharma in a bilateral meeting with Minister for Culture and Tourism
of Turkey)
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NB/UD
