OMANI MINISTRY REQUEST FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000207 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ARP, EEB/TPP/ATT/ATP AGRICULTURE FOR FAS ATO DUBAI FOR DWILLIAMS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAGR ECON PREL KMPI MU SUBJECT: OMANI MINISTRY REQUEST FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE REF: 07 MUSCAT 172 ¶1. This is an action request for USDA FAS. Please see paragraph 4. ¶2. On February 17, the Ministry of Agriculture delivered an official note to Embassy Muscat thanking the U.S. Department of Agriculture for sponsoring the "Assessments of the Risks of Plant Diseases" workshop in 2007. In the note, the Ministry expressed its appreciation for the opportunity to learn from U.S. counterparts on this subject, and requested a subsequent workshop on the analysis of the risks of plant diseases, as well as training for a "special national team." In addition, the Ministry asked for USG assistance in conducting joint research on the impact that the "dabas" insect has had on the cultivation of Omani date palms, along with technical assistance in the form of sending several of its agricultural quarantine inspectors to the U.S. for training. ¶3. The requests stem from the Ministry's continued interest in protecting Omani agriculture. In an early 2007 meeting with the Ambassador, Agriculture Minister Sheikh Salim bin Hilal al-Khalili noted that agriculture has always been an important component of the Omani economy. For this reason, the Ministry was particularly interested in strengthening its disease management efforts, especially in light of potential threats from neighboring countries. The Ministry places special emphasis on diseases and insect infestations affecting date palms, especially the dabas insect, which is common in Oman. ¶4. Comment and Action Request. Embassy believes that initiating cooperative research in this area would pay significant dividends in strengthening an already solid bilateral relationship with the Ministry of Agriculture. It is not often that Oman approaches us unsolicited for help on an issue such as this, which reflects the importance the government places on it, as well as the significant goodwill we would engender by responding affirmatively. Preliminary feedback from the USDA indicates that its Agricultural Research Service may be interested in establishing a joint research project with Oman on the dabas insect. Embassy would appreciate an update on this interest, as well as the possibility of conducting the requested training programs during 2008. End Comment and Action Request. GRAPPO