His Highness Sayyid Fahad Mahmood Al-Said, Deputy Prime Minister of the Sultanate of Oman, accompanied by Ministers and senior officials from Oman, attended a presentation on the reconstruction of a replica 9th Century Dhow at The Glass House, Sentosa Cove, earlier today. The visit also included viewing a display of some artefacts which the original 9th Century shipwreck was carrying.  He was hosted by Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo, Sentosa Development Corporation's Chairman Dr Loo Choon Yong, Singapore Tourism Board's (STB) Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive Lim Neo Chian and STB Senior Consultant Pamelia Lee.  His Highness is on an official visit to Singapore from 9 to 12 December 2007 at Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's invitation.

                        The idea of reconstructing and sailing a replica of a 9th century Dhow, found shipwrecked with a rich collection of well-preserved cargo in the Belitung Strait in 1998, was mooted by Minister George Yeo during his visit to Oman in May 2006.  Oman and Singapore signed a Memorandum of Intent on 27 February 2007 to construct and sail the replica Dhow from Oman to Singapore, where it will be placed on permanent display.  The Dhow replica will be a gift from His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said of Oman to Singapore.  Construction will begin in early 2008 and is expected to be completed a year later. Sailing is expected to commence in 2009.  Details such as the sailing route and the site of permanent display are being worked out and will be publicised at a later date.

                        The Dhow Project is a testament to the historic maritime links between the Middle East and Southeast Asia. It is a tribute to Oman's long-standing seafaring tradition and Singapore's historic role as a major port and entrepot along the Maritime Silk Route.  The Dhow will stand as a reminder of the friendship between Oman and Singapore at a time when our engagement of the Middle East has once again flourished. 

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE
11 DECEMBER 2007