QBA Explores Investment Opportunities With Oman’s Commerce and Industry Minister

The Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA) held a meeting with Qais bin Mohammed al-Yousef, the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion of Oman, and his accompanying delegation in Doha Saturday.

The meeting, held on the sidelines of a luncheon hosted by QBA deputy chairman Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Thani al-Thani, discussed bilateral co-operation, especially in commercial, economic, and investment sectors, as well as the role of the private sector in boosting mutual trade and joint investments.

QBA chairman HE Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani welcomed the minister and his delegation in the presence of board members Sheikh Nawaf bin Nasser bin Khaled al-Thani and Saud al-Mana.

Also in attendance were QBA members Ibrahim Jaidah, Ashraf Abu Issa, Faisal al-Mana, Nabil Abu Issa, Maqbool Habib Khalfan, Yousef al-Mahmoud, Dr Mohammed Althaf, and QBA deputy general manager Sarah Abdallah.

Sheikh Faisal noted that the brotherly relations between the two countries serve as a distinguished model within the GCC, highlighting the increase in reciprocal visits aimed at strengthening economic partnerships between Doha and Muscat.

He also proposed the formation of a joint technical committee to study potential investment opportunities in various developmental projects across Oman, whether in industries, tourism, and the medical and pharmaceutical sectors, among others.

 This committee would aim to identify clear projects for both sides, paving the way for meaningful investments in agreed sectors, he said.

The Invest Oman Authority, affiliated with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, presented investment opportunities to Qatari investors in diverse sectors, such as fisheries, food and pharmaceutical industries, manufacturing, technology, mining, renewable energy, tourism, and agriculture.

Sheikh Khalid emphasised the strength of the brotherly ties between Qatar and Oman, describing them as a model of constructive cooperation. 

He affirmed the commitment of both leaderships to deepening strategic ties, especially economically, based on the belief that these partnerships significantly contribute to the countries’ development visions through active involvement of the private sector — the cornerstone of a successful economy.

He further stated that Oman is an important economic and trade partner for Qatar, highlighting the recent visit of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to Oman, accompanied by a large delegation of businessmen. 

This visit marked a step forward in advancing cooperation in strategic sectors, such as tourism, manufacturing, food security, education, and logistics — all representing projects of mutual economic value.

For his part, al-Yousef thanked the QBA for hosting the ministry’s delegation and praised the bilateral relations between the two sides. He invited QBA members to visit Muscat to explore the various available investment opportunities.

He welcomed QBA’s proposal to form a joint technical committee under the supervision of his ministry, aimed at laying the necessary groundwork to turn ideas into real projects. 

He stressed that building sustainable economic partnerships between the two countries is a strategic necessity and emphasised his ministry’s commitment to intensifying efforts and communication to eliminate any challenges facing investors.

He also praised the QBA’s positive role in supporting joint efforts to enhance economic and trade co-operation. The minister also praised Qatari investments in Oman and expressed Oman’s desire to see more Qatari private sector investment.

The Omani side presented a detailed overview of investment opportunities across several sectors and outlined the incentives provided to foreign investors, along with key indicators and facilitations in the business environment.

They pointed out that Oman has 22 free and industrial economic zones, offering significant investment opportunities in various sectors, including logistics, food industries, tourism, mining, education, innovation, technology, healthcare, and more.

Trade volume between the two countries increased by nearly 20% last year, reaching over QR6.2bn.