MUSCAT – The forum aimed to provide an opportunity for businesspeople to explore available investment opportunities, and to seek the establishment of partnerships and joint ventures that contribute to enhancing economic integration between the two countries in several sectors, such as food industries, renewable energy, the textile industry, and agricultural promotion.
Rashid Amer Al Maslahi, First Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stated that the forum embodies the Chamber’s keenness to strengthen the bridges of economic and commercial cooperation within the private sector between the two countries. He added that it represents an opportunity for direct dialogue and communication between business owners and investors, contributing to reflecting the distinguished relations between the two nations into broader and more sustainable economic and investment partnerships.
In his speech, he emphasised that the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Tunisia are bound by deeply-rooted relations based on mutual respect and common understanding. These relations have witnessed continuous development over the past decades at various levels, including the economic aspect, as both countries have been keen to enhance trade and investment cooperation, and expand areas of coordination to serve mutual interests and support development efforts in the two nations.
He explained that under Oman Vision 2040, the Sultanate of Oman continues to work on enhancing the competitiveness of the national economy, diversifying sources of income, and creating an attractive and stimulating investment environment for business. Meanwhile, the Republic of Tunisia possesses outstanding expertise and capabilities in many economic sectors, opening promising horizons for building qualitative partnerships between private sector institutions in the two countries.
Al Maslahi stressed that Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry believes that the success of economic relations between countries depends primarily on the strength of links between business communities, and on the ability of the private sector to build genuine and sustainable partnerships based on the exchange of expertise and investment in future opportunities.
He expressed his hope that the forum would contribute to opening new horizons for economic cooperation between the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Tunisia, and serve as a launching pad for initiatives, partnerships, and joint projects that contribute to enhancing the volume of trade exchange and mutual investments, while supporting sustainable development goals in both countries.
Speaking on the occasion, His Excellency Chiraz Chebbi, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of the Republic of Tunisia to the Sultanate of Oman, affirmed that the Oman-Tunisia Forum constitutes an important platform for enhancing economic cooperation between the two countries. She noted that the participating Tunisian delegation includes a group of owners of companies operating in vital economic sectors, reflecting the keenness of the Tunisian business community to develop trade and investment relations with the Sultanate of Oman.
She further stated that the delegation was briefed on the promising investment opportunities with which the Sultanate of Oman abounds, emphasizing the importance of enhancing communication and networking between business owners in both countries. She added that the bilateral meetings provided by Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry would pave the way for concluding new partnerships and activating the continuous exchange of trade delegations.
She added that Tunisia and the Sultanate of Oman enjoy strategic geographical locations and outstanding logistical capabilities, providing significant opportunities for cooperation in the fields of re-exporting and access to African, European, and Asian markets. She emphasized that both countries possess integrated capabilities and common ground that allow for building fruitful economic partnerships that serve the interests of both sides, contribute to enhancing mutual investments, and support sustainable economic development.
On the other hand, Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry presented an introductory briefing on its role in supporting international relations, the Chamber’s pivotal role in supporting and developing the business environment in the Sultanate of Oman, and enhancing the competitiveness of the private sector through a package of initiatives aimed at facilitating the ease of doing business, attracting investments, and highlighting its efforts in developing economic partnerships, thereby contributing to opening wider horizons for investment and trade cooperation.
The forum witnessed the holding of B2B meetings between businesspeople from the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Tunisia to discuss cooperation opportunities and exchange expertise in the sectors of food industries, renewable energy, the textile industry, and agricultural promotion, contributing to enhancing investment partnerships and opening new horizons for economic integration between the two countries.