Oman's policies, reforms in focus at world forum to attract investors

Muscat – Oman welcomed 83 CEOs from 30 countries at the inaugural Advantage Oman Forum on Sunday, marking a crucial step in the sultanate's efforts to attract global investment and foster international partnerships.
The two-day event, held under the patronage of H H Sayyid Shihab bin Tarik al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs, was officially launched in Muscat by Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion (MoCIIP).
Organised by MoCIIP through its investment arm, Invest Oman, the forum has brought together over 250 high-level delegates, including international investors, policymakers and business leaders. Designed as a strategic platform for dialogue, the forum will address key global economic themes such as climate finance, shifting capital flows, regional integration and long-term investment strategies.
The event comes amid global economic uncertainty, prompting countries to reassess how best to attract and sustain investment. Oman is using the forum to highlight its stable policy environment, regulatory reforms and diversified economy – key pillars of its Vision 2040 development strategy in alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Discussions on Day 1 of the forum focused on several priority sectors, including clean energy, logistics, sustainable tourism and agri-tech. Emerging investment themes such as environmental, social and governance (ESG) frameworks, green hydrogen, digital infrastructure and resilient supply chains were also explored. Oman's ongoing reforms and innovation-driven initiatives were presented as case studies.
In his opening remarks, H E Qais bin Mohammed al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, emphasised Oman's reputation as a reliable partner in a world marked by geopolitical uncertainty and economic disruption. 'Oman has long served as a bridge between East and West, tradition and innovation,' he said, recalling the country's historic role in peaceful engagement and trade, including its landmark move in 1844 as the first Arab country to send an ambassador to the United States.
H E Yousef highlighted Oman's economic transformation, guided by four key pillars: societal innovation, economic diversification, environmental stewardship and strong governance. He also pointed to key indicators of Oman's economic resilience, such as fore- casted GDP growth of 3.4% for 2025, 18% year-on-year increase in foreign direct investment over the past five years, and projection to become world's sixth-largest hydrogen producer by 2030.
'However, our real advantage lies not in our policies but in our people,' H E Yousef noted, inviting participants to experience Oman's renowned hospitality.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Muscat Daily

2 hours ago

• Muscat Daily

Oman, Algeria explore new avenues for trade, investment cooperation

Algiers, Algeria –Qais Mohammed al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, held a series of high-level meetings with Algerian ministers and senior officials to explore ways to enhance economic, trade, and investment cooperation between Oman and the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria. The discussions took place on the sidelines of Oman's participation as the guest of honour at the Algiers International Fair, reflecting the deepening bilateral ties between the two nations. Yousef met separately with Saïd Grib, Minister of Industry; Kamel Rezig, Minister of Foreign Trade and Export Promotion; Tayeb Zitouni, Minister of Domestic Trade and Market Regulation; and Omar Rekkache, Director General of the Algerian Investment Promotion Agency. The meetings focused on activating existing agreements and memoranda of understanding, while identifying new areas of partnership in sectors such as manufacturing, food processing, and real estate. The two sides discussed facilitating joint projects, increasing trade volumes, and boosting cross-border investments through targeted incentives and streamlined procedures. Yousef stressed that these meetings reflect the spirit of the joint communique issued during the historic state visit of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to Algeria in May. He noted that the visit laid the groundwork for a new phase of strategic cooperation across multiple sectors. 'Algeria has shown strong interest in expanding its partnership with Oman, and we see a shared commitment to creating broader opportunities for investors and business leaders in both countries,' Yousef said. As part of the visit, the minister and his delegation toured the Rouiba Industrial Zone and visited leading Algerian companies, including the National Company for General Industries – a key player in energy and petroleum equipment manufacturing – as well as major producers in the dairy and sugar industries. The Omani delegation included Saif Nasser al Badai, Oman's Ambassador to Algeria; Faisal Abdullah al Rowas, Chairman of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Eng Dawood Salim al Haddabi, CEO of Madayn (Public Establishment for Industrial Estates); along with representatives from various government institutions, private sector entities, and prominent business leaders.

Observer

17 hours ago

• Observer

Majlis Ash'shura to host commerce minister on Wednesday

MUSCAT: Majlis Ash'shura will host Qais bin Mohammed al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, on Wednesday and Thursday, to deliver his ministry's statement in a public session. This was stated by Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed al Nadabi, Secretary-General of Majlis Ash'shura. He said: 'The council will discuss the statement of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion at its 13th and 14th regular sessions. The ministry's statement will address six main topics, the two sectors' contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP), the ministry's vision for the future of the industrial sector, the ministry's projects for the 2020-2023 period, an evaluation of free trade agreements, Nazdahir programme and the foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows.' The statement will elaborate on the efforts being made by the ministry to develop digital platforms and national initiatives such as Invest in Oman and evaluate the results of economic agreements signed with GCC countries and other countries, Al Nadabi said. Meanwhile, the Youth and Human Resources Committee of the Majlis Ash'shura on Sunday hosted Mohsin bin Hamad al Hadhrami, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Minerals and a number of specialists from the ministry, to discuss the ministry's efforts to empower and develop the national workforce in the energy and minerals sectors. The meeting was chaired by Younis bin Ali al Mandhari, Chairman of the Youth and Human Resources Committee. The Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Minerals provided an elaborate explanation of the Ministry's role in supporting and developing employment policies, highlighting the most prominent obstacles facing institutions and companies operating in the oil sector and the innovative solutions required for the next phase to enhance employment and Omanisation opportunities in the oil and gas sectors The Committee members were briefed, through a visual presentation by a specialist from the ministry, on the ministry's efforts to enhance Omanisation in companies operating in the oil and gas sector as well as contracting and service companies. The visual presentation also provided an overview of the Energy Sector Human Resources Forum, an important platform for exchanging ideas and experiences and enhancing national competencies.

Observer

19 hours ago

• Observer

New tech office boosts Oman's digital transformation drive

MUSCAT: Elm, a digital solutions leader owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), has officially launched its new office in Muscat, underscoring its long-term ambition to participate in Oman's digital transformation and expand its regional footprint. The move marks Elm's first physical presence in Oman, a market it views as strategically aligned with its growth objectives and expertise in e-government platforms, cybersecurity, digital identity, and artificial intelligence-driven services. With a client base that spans government, corporate, and individual sectors in Saudi Arabia, Elm's entry into Oman reflects growing regional collaboration in the technology space. The office was inaugurated during a ceremony under the auspices of Eng Said bin Hamoud al Maawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, and attended by Ibrahim bin Saad Bishan, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Oman, as well as key officials from both countries. Elm's expansion aligns with Oman Vision 2040, which prioritises the digital economy and government modernisation. The company says it aims to introduce custom solutions to help Omani institutions accelerate digital transformation across sectors such as logistics, public services, and national security. The Muscat office is part of Elm's broader strategy to export its homegrown capabilities developed in Saudi Arabia. In recent years, Elm has gained prominence for building and managing platforms such as Absher (a government service portal), and Tawakklna (a Covid-19 health platform), which have become integral to the Saudi government's digital infrastructure. Elm's expansion aligns with Oman Vision 2040, which prioritises the digital economy and government modernisation. Elm's Executive Vice President of Marketing and Official Spokesperson, Majid bin Saad al Arifi, said the decision to establish a base in Oman reflects the company's confidence in the local ecosystem. 'The opening of Elm's office in the Sultanate of Oman represents a strategic step that reflects our strong belief in the capabilities and digital potential of this market,' said Al Arifi. 'Through our presence, we aim to build high-value partnerships and provide tailored technological solutions that enhance government performance and promote a sustainable digital economy — delivering meaningful impact to citizens, investors, and our institutional partners alike,' he added. Elm's entry comes at a time when Oman is actively seeking private sector collaboration to fast-track its digital agenda, offering streamlined regulatory frameworks and incentives for foreign investment in the ICT sector. Elm's presence is also expected to generate skilled employment opportunities and knowledge transfer, as the company often works closely with local partners and public entities to localise its services. The Muscat office will serve as a regional hub to coordinate projects, engage with stakeholders, and adapt solutions to Oman's unique priorities — reinforcing the economic and technological ties between Muscat and Riyadh.