Omani-Italian relations enter new economic chapter

Muscat: Omani-Italian relations are entering a new chapter of economic cooperation, as the visit of Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of the Italian Republic to the Sultanate of Oman represents a step towards maximizing this cooperation for a more diverse and sustainable partnership.

Over recent years, Muscat and Rome have strengthened political coordination and supported the foundations of economic cooperation. This momentum was embodied in the meeting held last December between His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of the Italian Republic, on the sidelines of the GCC Summit. The two sides discussed cooperation and explored ways to expand the partnership across multiple sectors.

Data issued by the National Centre  for Statistics and Information indicates that the volume of trade exchange between the Sultanate of Oman and the Italian Republic in 2025 reached about RO 184.3 million. This included RO 33.6 million in total Omani exports to Italy and RO 150.7 million in total Omani imports from Italy.

The most important Omani exports to Italy consist of metals and their products, plastics and rubber, machinery and mechanical appliances, electrical equipment, vehicles, and transport equipment. Meanwhile, the most important Omani imports from Italy include chemical industry products, food industry products, and machinery, appliances, and electrical equipment.

The number of visitors arriving from the Italian Republic to the Sultanate of Oman until the end of December 2025 reached about 80,607.

Faisal Abdullah al Rowas, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry,stated that economic relations between the Sultanate of Oman and the Italian Republic are witnessing an advanced stage of qualitative development, driven by the convergence of strategic and economic visions between the two countries. This, he said, reflects the shift in the nature of international partnerships from traditional trade relations to investment partnerships based on value-added, knowledge transfer, and integration in production chains.

He added that this momentum comes at a highly important time, coinciding with the implementation of the goals of 'Oman Vision 2040,' which places economic diversification, private sector empowerment, and sustainability at the forefront of its priorities, alongside the Italian approach to enhance its international economic presence and expand its partnerships in promising markets.

Al Rowas clarified that bilateral trade between the two countries represents a solid foundation to build upon. However, the next phase requires moving from a focus on trade exchange to deepening joint investments and establishing long-term partnerships in productive and service sectors. This, he affirmed, contributes to improving the trade balance and enhancing national economic competitiveness, while simultaneously supporting the presence of Italian companies in the region.

He pointed out that investment opportunities available to the private sector in the two countries are broad and diverse. They are particularly prominent in the energy and green transition sector, where the Sultanate of Oman represents a promising regional hub for renewable energy and green hydrogen projects, benefiting from its geographical location and natural potential. This, he added, aligns with advanced Italian expertise in clean technologies and sustainable solutions. He further noted that the opportunities also include the industrial sector, especially value-added manufacturing industries and advanced industrial technologies, alongside technology and innovation in areas of digital transformation, smart technologies, and the circular economy.

He added that the agriculture and food industries sector represent one of the promising areas for cooperation, particularly in light of Oman's approach towards enhancing food security and investing in modern agricultural technologies. This, he said, opens the door for qualitative partnerships with Italian companies experienced in this field.

He affirmed that business meetings and bilateral economic forums constitute a pivotal tool in transforming these potentials into tangible projects by facilitating direct communication between investors, exchanging experiences, and building trust between the business communities in both countries.

In this context, he explained that Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry plays a strategic role in preparing the institutional environment supporting this cooperation. This is done through organizing and hosting delegations and forums, coordinating bilateral business meetings, promoting investment opportunities, and providing effective communication channels between the private sector and relevant authorities.

For her part, Salma Ali Al Hashmi, Vice President of Marketing at The Wave, Muscat, Board Member and Executive Chair of the Omani-Italian Friendship Association,said that the bilateral relationship between the two countries is supported by steady trade flows, reflecting a positive trajectory in trade exchange. She explained that tourism has become a clear indicator of deepening ties between the two friendly peoples, reinforcing the importance of Italy as a European market, and that direct flights to Rome have contributed to increasing the number of arrivals from Italy.

She pointed out that the upcoming visit of the Italian Prime Minister to the Sultanate of Oman constitutes an opportunity to transform diplomatic relations and trade exchange into investment plans and sector-based partnerships. This, she affirmed, enables knowledge exchange and supports sustainable growth in priority sectors.

She clarified that the Omani-Italian Friendship Association organized the Omani-Italian Investment Business Forum and held bilateral meetings between Italian businesspeople and investors and their counterparts from the Sultanate of Oman, aiming to establish commercial partnerships.

She affirmed that there is ongoing cooperation and discussions to further enhance tourism and archaeological heritage, reflecting long-term Italian contributions and the potential for Italian companies to support 'Oman Vision 2040' in tourism initiatives.

She said that the energy sector in the Sultanate of Oman remains a key bridge as new partnership areas expand towards renewable energy, green hydrogen, and industrial cooperation related to sustainability, pointing to the cooperation between Oman Oil Company Exploration and Production and its partner Eni in Block 47.

She indicated that such official visits by high-level delegations will increase market access opportunities, enhance relationships between investors and operators, and broaden the scope of investment beyond traditional sectors towards renewable energy, advanced logistics, tourism assets, industrial supply chains, and high-value services, in alignment with 'Oman Vision 2040'.