Dr. Ali bin Mas’oud al-Sunaidi, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Planning (SCP), was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun – Golden & Silver Star, in recognition of his contributions in promoting economic relations and mutual understanding between the Government of the Sultanate of Oman and Japan. The award ceremony held at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, and the Order had been conferred by Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan. Then, those who had been awarded the above-mentioned Order, had been given a chance to meet the Emperor of Japan. In a statement to Oman News Agency (ONA), Dr. al-Sunaidi expressed his gratitude and appreciation for the Government of Japan for this generous gesture. He also stressed the depth of the Oman – Japan relations in all fields. In addition to that, the economic relations between the two friendly countries have grown dramatically especially during the past 10 years.