His Majesty the Sultan of Oman was honored at a banquet in the City of London, where officials underscored the enduring partnership between Oman and the United Kingdom. The event highlighted the longstanding diplomatic and economic ties that date back to the mid-17th century, reflecting a relationship built on shared values and mutual interests.

The evening began with the Recorder of the City of London welcoming the Sultan, expressing pride in hosting the royal visit. Following this, the Lady Mayor of the City of London reaffirmed the warm reception and emphasized the deep historical bonds between the two nations. She traced the relationship back to 1646, noting that the two countries have cooperated through centuries on principles including the freedom of the seas, the security of trade routes, and the promotion of global stability.

Economically, the UK plays a pivotal role as it accounts for over half of foreign direct investment into Oman. The Lady Mayor highlighted the UK-Oman Sovereign Investment Partnership as a key driver fostering investment across both countries, with an emphasis on emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence and robotics. She stressed that trust remains the cornerstone of the bilateral cooperation, which extends beyond trade to fields like education, culture, and scientific research.

In his remarks, His Majesty the Sultan expressed gratitude for the welcome and recognition of the relationship’s historical depth, dating back to agreements signed in the late 18th century as well as earlier treaties involving the British East India Company. He described London as a dynamic center for innovation, trade, and finance, and underlined ongoing efforts to expand bilateral trade, particularly in sustainability, financial services, and technology.

The Sultan also pointed to the importance of transparent governance and stable markets as essential foundations for continued investment and partnership growth. He expressed optimism that the longstanding ties between Oman and the UK would thrive and evolve, benefiting future generations on both sides.

The banquet was attended by senior officials, dignitaries, and ambassadors from both countries, symbolizing the high-level commitment to maintaining and advancing the multifaceted relationship between Oman and the United Kingdom.