OQ, the global integrated energy group, signed an agreement today with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources (MAFWR) to plant 250,000 seedlings of wild trees. This agreement aims to enhance efforts to expand the green area by planting 10 million wild trees as part of OQ’s green initiative. The Agricultural Development Fund will oversee and follow up on the implementation of this agreement.

The agreement was signed by Dr. Saud bin Hamoud Al-Habsi, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources; and Ashraf bin Hamad Al-Mamari, Chief Executive of People, Technology, and Culture at OQ.

On this occasion, the minister expressed his appreciation for OQ’s efforts to enhance the pursuits of the governmental entities in expanding the green area in the Sultanate of Oman through its green initiative. The initiative aims to promote public awareness about the importance of vegetation and effectively contribute to supporting these efforts to achieve their desired objectives. He pointed out the effective cooperation between the ministry and OQ in many initiatives including the projects of propagating economic types and varieties of fruits and combating pesticides using drones.

Dr. Al-Habsi stated that this agreement will contribute to planting a quarter of a million wild seedlings as part of the project to plant ten million trees in Oman. This project aims to create a balance between environmental components and reduce carbon emissions. He indicated that the concerted efforts of the government and the private sector would result in achieving this objective.

For his part, Ashraf bin Hamad Al-Mamari said: "OQ seeks to enhance efforts to expand the green area through the social investment programme, in which the environment is the main pillar." He added: "This agreement embodies the social investment pillar and seeks to implement OQ’s green initiative launched by the group in an attempt to contribute to the environmental sustainability efforts by supporting many qualitative agricultural and environmental projects."

Al-Mamri concluded: "OQ moves forward to enhance the effective community partnership and support efforts made to add high value to developmental projects. These efforts will play a great role in achieving the Oman’s strategic objective to reach carbon neutrality by 2050."