Royal visit to strengthen Oman-France relations

MUSCAT, JUNE 27
The Omani French Friendship Association (OFA) is positioning itself to play a key role in translating the outcomes of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik's royal visit to France on June 28 into tangible business, investment and cultural partnerships, its president Sulaiman al Harthy said.
The visit, which comes amidst growing economic cooperation between the Sultanate of Oman and France, is expected to be accompanied by a high-level Omani delegation representing business, economic, scientific and other sectors. While official agreements and memoranda are expected to be announced during the visit, Al Harthy said OFA's focus would be on ensuring that those commitments evolve into practical cooperation once the delegation returns.
'The relationship between the Sultanate of Oman and France goes back to the 17th century', Al Harthy said in an exclusive interview with the Observer. 'This visit is a renewal of that relationship and an opportunity to make it bigger, stronger and more beneficial for both countries'.
Founded to strengthen people-to-people and institutional links between the two nations, OFA serves as a platform connecting Omani and French stakeholders across business, culture, education and civil society. Al Harthy said the association's role becomes particularly important after major bilateral visits, when governments establish strategic directions and private-sector organisations help turn them into concrete initiatives.
'We as OFA, once His Majesty comes back, will work very hard towards all the goals of this visit', he said. 'We will try to bring business people together, encourage cooperation and dialogue; and create an everlasting relationship and friendship between Oman and France'.
The visit follows the first Oman-France Strategic Dialogue held in Paris in April, which elevated bilateral engagement and provided a framework for deeper cooperation in economic and political affairs.
Al Harthy said OFA works alongside institutions such as the Oman-France Business Council, which operates under the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, but focuses more broadly on facilitating connections between potential partners and creating opportunities for collaboration.
One of the association's principal activities is organising events and forums that bring together Omani and French companies, entrepreneurs and professionals. These interactions have, in some cases, led directly to business partnerships and helped companies navigate operational challenges in each other's markets.
'I think one of the greatest things this association does is bring Omanis and the French together', Al Harthy said. 'It can be social, it can be art, it can be dialogue and it can be business'.
Al Harthy identified renewable energy and manufacturing as sectors with significant potential to attract greater French investment into Oman. He said the Sultanate of Oman’s industrial zones, investment incentives and strategic location continue to appeal to European companies seeking regional expansion opportunities.
'Many French companies are now looking particularly at renewables and manufacturing', he said. 'Oman provides a very good environment for these sectors through its industrial and free zones and its investment framework'.
Beyond large multinational corporations already operating in Oman, including French firms active in energy and environmental services, OFA also plans to place greater emphasis on supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Al Harthy said future association programmes are expected to focus on entrepreneurship, digital transformation and financial technology, building on previous initiatives that brought French experts to Oman to share expertise with local businesses.
Tourism is another area where the association sees opportunities for deeper cooperation. France is among Oman's most important European source markets and OFA has previously organised promotional initiatives, including hosting French influencers and adventure tourism campaigns showcasing the Sultanate of Oman's mountains and outdoor attractions.
While the details of agreements expected from the state visit have yet to be disclosed, Al Harthy said the association will measure success by the extent to which signed memoranda and policy directions are converted into real projects, partnerships and economic benefits.
'We want this trip to be unique, to be very successful and to bring benefits both for the French and the Omanis', he said.
Al Harthy added that the significance of the visit extends beyond diplomacy, noting that the active engagement of His Majesty in international outreach reflects the importance attached to economic cooperation and investment promotion.
'If His Majesty has time and effort to do these visits, it is for us to translate those visits into real measurable benefits to businesses and people on both sides', he said.
The state visit is expected to mark a new chapter in Oman-France relations, with organisations such as OFA seeking to ensure that political goodwill is converted into long-term commercial and institutional partnerships.