The National Museum signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Museum of Nepal in the museum and cultural fields on (2nd November 2019 CE)- (5th Rabi Al-Akhar 1441 AH). The memorandum was signed by Jamal bin Hassan al-Musawi, director-general of the National Museum on the Omani side, and the Nepalese side by Jaya Ram Shrestha, the director-general of the National Museum of Nepal.

The Memorandum of Understanding aims at consolidating the principles of cooperation between the two parties that related to the development of cultural and museum activities of mutual interest, strengthening the relationship between the two parties through the mutual cooperation of exchanging expertise, providing specialized consultancy services, and emphasizing the enhancement of social cooperation and mutual cultural understanding of the civilizations of the two countries.

The Memorandum includes cooperation in the fields of exchanging experiences to enhance museum-related work, exchanging vocational training of the staff of the two parties at their headquarters and developing appropriate mechanisms related to visitor services, educational programs and preventive conservation. In addition, the memorandum involves developing a series of exchanging programmes between the two parties to serve the fields of cooperation and promote cultural and civilizational aspects between the two countries.

The two parties aim to have mutual collaboration in the aspects of cultural activities and exhibitions through the development of joint exhibitions and exhibits by experts in both countries, developing programs to improve the skills of the curators’ and other museum professionals. Also, a mutual promoting schedule of activities, lectures, and exhibits exchange will be frequently organized by the two parties.

The National Museum of Nepal is located in Kathmandu, the Capital city. It was established in (1928 CE). The Museum building was originally built in the early 19th century as a residence for Prime Minister Bhimsen Thapa. In (1939 CE), the Museum was first opened for the public under the auspicious of the Prime Minister of Nepal Juddha Shamsher Jung Bahadur Rana. However, the Art Gallery was later opened to the public in (1967 CE). The Gallery exhibits artefacts made out of metal, wood and carved stones which aged back to the second century CE. These artefacts were found in Handigaon sands of Nepal, and were restored by an Italian archaeological project.

It is worth mentioning that the National Museum, established by Royal Decree in 2013 and opened July 30, 2016, is the Sultanate`s flagship cultural institution, showcasing the nation’s cultural heritage from the earliest human settlement in the Oman Peninsula some two million years ago through to the present day.

As a national institution with global outreach, the Museum is dedicated to ensuring Oman’s cultural heritage is understood and appreciated not only within the Sultanate, but also internationally. Further, it aims to provide opportunities for cultural expression, innovation, and the transfer of traditional skills and knowledge from one generation to the next.

The museum is located in the heart of Muscat in a purpose-designed building. The total area of the building is 13,700 square metres, including 4,000 square metres allocated for 14 permanent galleries – The Land and the People Gallery, Maritime History Gallery, Arms and Armour Gallery, Aflaj Gallery, Currency Gallery, Prehistory and Ancient History Galleries, Splendours of Islam Gallery, Oman and the World Gallery, Intangible Heritage Gallery and Renaissance Gallery, among others. A further 400 square metres are allocated for temporary exhibitions.

The National Museum houses more than 6,000 objects and offers 33 digital immersive experiences, a fully equipped Learning Centre, state-of-the-art conservation facilities, a UHD cinema and discovery areas for children. It features an integrated infrastructure for special needs and is the first museum in the Middle East to adopt Arabic Braille script for the visually impaired. It also houses the region’s first open-plan museum storage concept, where visitors can learn about the various processes that artefacts go through before they are put on display.