PARIS — Standing alongside French President Emmanuel Macron before an audience of ministers, executives and investors, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik delivered a message of confidence, partnership and ambition, declaring that the agreements signed between Oman and France were among the most significant the two countries have concluded in recent years.

Speaking at the Oman-France Business Forum in Paris, His Majesty described the day as both productive and promising, reflecting a relationship that has evolved beyond traditional diplomacy into a broad-based strategic partnership spanning infrastructure, energy, investment, innovation and culture.

“I am delighted to be here in Paris,” His Majesty said. “We have had a wonderful day. We have talked about many things that concern France, Oman and, indeed, the wider world.”

His Majesty’s remarks came after Oman and France signed 12 agreements, memoranda of understanding and declarations of intent at the Élysée Palace, witnessed by His Majesty Sultan Haitham and President Macron.

The centrepiece of the package was a cooperation agreement covering logistics, ports and the proposed Muscat Metro project, signalling growing French involvement in Oman’s long-term plans to modernise urban transport and strengthen connectivity.

The agreements also reflected the increasingly economic character of Oman-France relations.

In the logistics sector, Asyad Group and French shipping giant CMA CGM signed an agreement to develop and operate a multi-purpose terminal, reinforcing Oman’s ambitions to become a major regional trade and logistics hub linking Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

In clean energy, French energy group EDF signed agreements for the first phase of the 500-megawatt Al Kamil Wal Wafi solar project and the development of the Wadi Dayqah pumped-storage hydropower project, both of which support Oman’s transition towards a lower-carbon economy.

The water sector also featured prominently, with French utility company Suez partnering with Omani entities to manage water networks across Greater Muscat.

Beyond infrastructure and energy, the agreements extended into healthcare, aviation, education, culture, space cooperation and entrepreneurship. They included arrangements for training Omani specialist doctors in France, expanding French language education, promoting investment flows and helping Omani startups access European markets through France’s renowned Station F innovation ecosystem.

For His Majesty Sultan Haitham, however, the significance of the visit extended beyond the agreements themselves.

“What we have signed today is bigger than anything we have done in the past few years,” he told the gathering, while hinting that additional initiatives are already under discussion.

“There are a few things that have not yet been announced,” he said, suggesting that the latest agreements may represent only the beginning of a broader phase of cooperation between the two countries.

His Majesty also welcomed President Macron’s call for closer economic collaboration, describing France’s openness to deeper partnership with Oman as highly encouraging.

“France has opened its arms to Omani partnership,” he said, reaffirming Oman’s commitment to welcoming French businesses and investors while encouraging greater Omani investment in France.

The message resonated with the business leaders gathered in Paris: the future of Oman-France relations will be shaped not only by governments, but increasingly by companies, entrepreneurs and investors seeking opportunities on both sides.