MUSCAT: The Omani government plans to appoint commercial and investment attachés to a number of its strategic embassies around the world, according to Qais bin Mohammed al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion.
The move is designed to enhance the country’s “investment infrastructure”, the official said at a key forum held in London recently.
The daylong event, organised by the ministry with the support of the Anglo-Omani Society, Omani British Business Council, Omani British Friendship Association and the UK Department for International Trade, attracted dignitaries from both Oman and the United Kingdom.
At the forum, Al Yousef announced the appointment of a well-known Omani official as the Sultanate of Oman’s UK Commercial and Investment Attaché.
Arwa bint Abdul Rahim al Balushi, who was until recently associated with the Oman Investment Authority — the integrated sovereign wealth fund of the Sultanate of Oman — will now be based at the Omani Embassy in London, he noted.
“Building on the historic and longstanding Oman-UK relationship, Attaché Arwa and her team will support Oman-UK business connectivity in the years to come and more immediately, generate stronger commercial and investment ties,” Al Yousef stated.
The UK is currently the largest foreign investor in Oman with investments totalling £17.8 billion (RO 8.1 billion approximately) in 2021.
Significantly, Al Yousef also announced the establishment of a UK Investor Desk at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion.
“The desk will provide special support for UK investors wishing to explore Oman-UK business and trade opportunities,” he said.
In his address to the London forum, Al Yousef also shed light on the Oman National Programme for Investment and Export Development (Nazdaher), which was launched in March 2021 with the goal of enhancing and enabling the private sector’s role in driving economic development by creating an inviting investment environment.
Nazdaher covers key investment sectors, such as energy, mining, manufacturing, transport, aviation, tourism, information and communication technology, and food security, featuring a list of investment initiatives and projects undertaken by the relevant entities.
“With FDI and exports as its priorities, Nazdaher will — at the end of the year — launch a ‘one-stop-shop’ style Invest in Oman centre,” Al Yousef added.
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