Muscat: Over recent years, Muscat and Rome have steadily strengthened political coordination and laid firm foundations for economic collaboration. This momentum was reinforced during a meeting on December 3 between His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and Prime Minister Meloni on the sidelines of the GCC Summit, where both sides reviewed bilateral cooperation and explored opportunities to expand partnerships across multiple sectors.

Official data from the National Centre for Statistics and Information shows that bilateral trade between Oman and Italy reached approximately RO 184.3 million in 2025. Of this, Omani exports to Italy amounted to RO 33.6 million, while imports from Italy stood at RO 150.7 million. Oman’s exports mainly included metals and metal products, plastics, rubber, machinery, electrical equipment, and vehicles, while imports from Italy were dominated by chemical products, food industry goods, machinery and electrical appliances.

People-to-people ties are also strengthening, with tourism emerging as a key indicator of growing relations. The number of visitors from Italy to Oman reached around 80,607 by the end of December 2025, reflecting Italy’s rising importance as a European source market.

Commenting on the evolving partnership, HE Faisal bin Abdullah Al Rawas, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said economic relations between the two countries are witnessing a qualitative shift, driven by aligned strategic and economic visions. He noted that partnerships are moving beyond traditional trade towards investment-based cooperation focused on added value, knowledge transfer and integration into global production chains.

He added that this progress comes at a critical time, coinciding with the implementation of Oman Vision 2040, which prioritises economic diversification, private sector empowerment and sustainability, alongside Italy’s drive to expand its global economic footprint in promising markets.

HE Al Rawas stressed that while trade provides a strong base, the next stage requires deeper joint investments and long-term partnerships in productive and service sectors. Such cooperation, he said, would enhance trade balance, improve national competitiveness and support a stronger presence for Italian companies in the region.

He highlighted wide-ranging investment opportunities, particularly in renewable energy and green transformation, positioning Oman as a regional hub for renewable energy and green hydrogen projects. These opportunities align with Italy’s advanced expertise in clean technologies and sustainable solutions. Additional prospects include value-added manufacturing, advanced industrial technologies, digital transformation, smart solutions, the circular economy, agriculture, food industries, mining, and logistics, leveraging Oman’s strategic location connecting Asia, Africa and Europe.

HE Al Rawas emphasised that business forums and bilateral meetings play a crucial role in converting these opportunities into tangible projects. He underlined the Chamber’s role in facilitating cooperation through organising delegations, promoting investment opportunities and strengthening links between the private sector and relevant authorities, with a focus on technology transfer, job creation and sustainable growth.

From the private sector perspective, Salma bint Ali Al Hashmi, Vice President of Marketing at Al Mouj Muscat, Board Member and CEO of the Omani-Italian Friendship Association, said steady trade flows reflect the positive trajectory of bilateral relations. She noted that tourism has become a visible sign of deepening ties, supported by direct flights to Rome, which have boosted Italian arrivals.

Al Hashmi said the Prime Minister’s visit offers an opportunity to transform diplomatic relations and trade exchange into concrete investment plans and sector-specific partnerships. She highlighted the role of the Omani-Italian Investment Business Forum in facilitating bilateral meetings and fostering business collaboration, as well as ongoing cooperation in tourism and archaeological heritage projects aligned with Vision 2040.

She added that energy remains a central pillar of cooperation, with partnerships expanding into renewable energy, green hydrogen and sustainable industrial projects, citing cooperation between Oman Exploration and Production Company and Italy’s Eni in Block 47.

According to Al Hashmi, high-level official visits are expected to further enhance market access, strengthen investor confidence and expand cooperation into advanced logistics, tourism assets, industrial supply chains and high-value services, reinforcing the long-term economic partnership between Oman and Italy.