Oman, Australia explore opportunities to deepen business ties

BUSINESS REPORTER
MUSCAT, SEPT 27
The Australian Business Group Oman (ABGO) hosted an evening with Miles Armitage, Australian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Yemen, bringing together representatives of Oman’s business community for dialogue, networking and engagement.
Held at Mesa Restaurant, Muscat, the event provided an opportunity for Ambassador Armitage to engage with members of ABGO and representatives of the wider Australian and Omani business communities on ways to strengthen commercial, economic and cultural ties between Oman and Australia.
Discussions focused on areas of mutual interest, including bilateral trade and investment, business collaboration, and opportunities arising from stronger institutional and people-to-people connections between the two countries.
Mustafa Salman, Honorary Consul of Australia in the Sultanate of Oman, also attended the event. He is a long standing supporter of ABGO, reflecting the strong institutional and business connections underpinning Australia-Oman relations.
Hanife Ymer, Chair of ABGO, said the organisation was pleased to welcome Ambassador Armitage and provide an opportunity for its members and the wider business community to engage directly with him and Australian Government representatives.
She noted that Australia and Oman have enjoyed bilateral relations since 1981, adding that such events provide valuable opportunities to further strengthen ties between the two countries.
Hanife also highlighted Oman’s role in regional stability and growing business opportunities between Oman and Australia in complementary sectors, including renewable energy, mining, agriculture and education.
Ambassador Armitage’s visit comes amid growing interest in expanding economic and commercial engagement between Oman and Australia, including in sectors aligned with Oman Vision 2040 and the Sultanate’s economic diversification objectives.
The Ambassador also acknowledged ABGO’s efforts to strengthen connections between the Australian and Omani communities, particularly through its engagement with Oman’s Australian alumni community.
By connecting with Omanis who have studied or lived in Australia, ABGO is building on an established network of personal, professional and cultural ties to support deeper business and institutional engagement between the two countries.
The Ambassador reaffirmed the Embassy’s continued support for engagement in Oman and with ABGO. ABGO said it would continue to provide a platform for Omani and Australian businesses, professionals and institutions to network, exchange knowledge and identify opportunities for collaboration.
The evening concluded with networking among guests and discussions on how the business community could contribute to stronger and more diversified Australia-Oman relations.