Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — The Consulate General of Oman on Wednesday held a reception at Crowned Plaza Hotel here on the occasion of the country's 45th National Day celebrations. Consul General Jumaah Al-Rashdy and the consulate staff received the guests, including Adel Abdulrahman Bakhsh, director of Protocol a the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Makkah region branch, dignitaries, senior officials, diplomats and media representatives. The ceremony began with the playing of Omani and Saudi national anthems. Speakers at the event congratulated Sultan Qaboos Bin Said and the Omani people everywhere on auspicious occasion. They also thanked the Saudi leadership for their constant support to the Omani mission. Qaboos Bin Said became the sultan on July 23, 1970, marking the beginning of an era of renaissance in Oman. The country celebrates Nov. 18, the sultan's birthday, as National Day. Consul General Al-Rashdy with Bakhsh and other guests cut the celebration cake at the Jeddah celebrations. The guests had a chance to listen to Omani patriotic songs and taste famous Omani ‘halwa'. The Oman government is paying great attention to develop the country's tourism sector. It plans to market Oman as a major tourist destination in the region with the aim of diversifying revenue sources and boosting the national economy. Oman Air offered tickets to winners of a raffle draw to visit Salalah.
