MUSCAT, Oman. - Friday, February 6th 2015 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE) The ties between Oman and Switzerland have been significantly enhanced in recent weeks, with the opening of a new embassy in Muscat in particular signifying the growing political and economic links between the two countries.

Around a third of European visa applications from Oman have been to the Alpine nation. Oman’s strong economic development has helped bring about increased trade with Switzerland in recent months.

Moreover, with news of high-level corruption dominating the headlines in Oman for some time, there are many positive signs that the country is on the right path to resolving financial misconduct through increasing its cooperation with other nations.

That Michael Lauber, the Swiss Attorney General, was received by his Omani counterpart Hussain bin Hilali and Senior Public Prosecutor Faisal Al Rashdi in Muscat serves as one important example of this.

His visit, which took place shortly after the opening of the embassy, was organised to discuss ways in which future cooperation between the two countries could be enhanced, particularly in tackling corruption and money laundering.

The Swiss Public Prosecution Office has been instrumental in aiding Faisal Al Rashdi in his investigations during the country’s well-publicised corruption cases.

The forty-year old General Attorney of the Swiss Federation and expert in economic crime, was escorted by Mr Al Rashdi where they visited the souk, the royal opera and the armed forces museum.

Mr Al Rashdi, who has played a crucial role in cleaning up irregularities in the oil sector, was optimistic about the future. He said “Oman has had significant success in recent times in dealing with high profile cases of financial wrong-doings.

“Recent verdicts have given ordinary Omanis’ faith in the integrity of the judicial system. However, this is not to say there isn’t still work that needs doing. The visit of Mr Lauber reaffirms the good relations between our two countries, as well as our mutual commitment to stamping out corruption in all its forms.”

Mr Lauber invited bin Hilali and al Rashdi to visit his home country where the next International Annual Conference (IAP) will be taking place in September.

The theme of the high profile conference will be “White-Collar Crime Corruption and Money Laundering.” Among other topics discussed will be international cooperation and assistance for combating corruption and money laundering.

The countries also have shared interests in human rights and various international organisations. The Sultanate adopts a policy of peace, diplomacy and regional stability; these values are almost identical to those held by the Swiss.

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