INNOVATION FRONT AND CENTER AT OMAN SUMMIT

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000517

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARPI, EB/CBA (BBEHRENS)
STATE PASS TO USTR (JBUNTIN)
COMMERCE FOR ITA (COBERG)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: BEXP ECON EINV ENRG PREL MU
SUBJECT: INNOVATION FRONT AND CENTER AT OMAN SUMMIT

REF: 05 MUSCAT 1916

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SUMMARY
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1. Muscat hosted the 2006 World Summit on Innovation and
Entrepreneurship from April 1-3, which brought together
public and private leaders to discuss emerging trends in the
global economy. The Minister of Commerce and Industry
stressed innovation and entrepreneurship's importance to
Oman's growing economy throughout the summit. End Summary.

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INNOVATIVE CONVERSATION
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2. On April 1-3, Muscat hosted the 2006 World Summit on
Innovation and Entrepreneurship, organized by U.S.-based
Global Leadership Team in association with the Ministry of
Commerce and Industry-affiliated Public Establishment for
Industrial Estates. The conference brought together a
diverse group of public and private sector leaders to discuss
topics related to infrastructure and competitiveness,
knowledge and development, energy and sustainable
development, geopolitics, growth strategies, and disruptive
innovations and value creation. Ministers from Oman,
Ireland, Jordan, Lebanon, and Tunisia took part in panel
discussions, as well as U.S. corporate officials from Boeing,
Pepsico, Cisco Systems, and Hewlett Packard.

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OMAN COMMITTED
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3. Minister of Commerce and Industry Maqbool bin Ali Sultan
highlighted the importance of innovation and entrepreneurship
during his opening remarks to summit participants. Maqbool
noted that the Omani government has placed a high priority on
creating a knowledge-based economy and vibrant digital
society through the establishment of Knowledge Oasis Muscat
and the Scientific Research Council. He also remarked that
Oman has created a favorable environment for innovation and
entrepreneurship through its protection of intellectual
property, commitment to e-commerce and development of small
and medium-sized enterprises.
GRAPPO