MUSCAT: Oman is seeking to build on its growing economic relationship with Botswana and turn opportunities into concrete investments during His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik’s visit to the southern African nation, the head of the Oman Investment Authority (OIA) said.

His Excellency Abdulsalam bin Mohammed Al Murshidi, President of the Oman Investment Authority, said the Sultan’s visit would provide an opportunity to build on the progress already achieved between the two countries and explore further areas for investment and cooperation.

“Through His Majesty the Sultan’s visit to the Republic of Botswana, we seek to build on what has been achieved rather than merely explore what is possible,” Al Murshidi said in comments carried by the Oman News Agency.

“We can say that we stand on solid ground in terms of joint investments and renewed prospects for cooperation between the two countries,” he added.

Al Murshidi said relations between Oman and Botswana had developed rapidly from preliminary meetings into reciprocal visits, investment agreements and projects that had begun to take shape on the ground.

His comments come ahead of His Majesty Sultan Haitham’s state visit to Botswana, part of a two-nation tour that will also take His Majesty the Sultan to Angola beginning on Wednesday.

The visits are expected to focus on strengthening bilateral relations, expanding economic cooperation and identifying new opportunities for partnerships and investment across a range of sectors.

Al Murshidi said the relationship with Botswana represented a model of mutual trust between the two sides, with engagement progressing beyond discussions towards tangible investment cooperation.

The visit is expected to provide further momentum to Oman’s economic engagement with Botswana as the Sultanate looks to expand international investment partnerships and strengthen its economic links with African markets.