MUSCAT: Oman and Egypt have explored ways to strengthen industrial and investment cooperation, with a focus on expanding bilateral trade and joint manufacturing, during talks held in Muscat on Monday.
Qais bin Mohammed al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, received Kamel El Wazir, Egypt’s Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport, to discuss revitalising investment flows between the two countries.
The discussions highlighted opportunities to enable Omani products to access African markets by leveraging Egypt’s trade links and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) agreement. Both sides agreed that closer cooperation would help expand trade, attract new investments and serve the economic interests of the two countries.
The ministers also examined prospects for industrial integration in several promising sectors, aiming to maximise the benefits of the Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA) and enhance value-added manufacturing.
Both parties commended ongoing efforts to fast-track memoranda of understanding related to the unification of standards and acceptance requirements for goods, products and services. Talks also covered cooperation on anti-dumping measures, subsidies and safeguards, with the objective of strengthening economic and industrial ties.
It was agreed to organise a joint economic forum in coordination with the Chambers of Commerce in Oman and Egypt to support private-sector engagement and explore new partnership opportunities.
The meeting was attended by Dr Saleh bin Saeed Masan, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion for Trade and Industry, and Yasser Mohamed Ahmed Shaaban, Egypt’s Ambassador to Oman.
Separately, Al Yousef met with a group of Egyptian business leaders to review investment opportunities in Oman, including current and future projects. The discussions focused on expanding joint commercial activities, deepening industrial partnerships and increasing trade volumes.
Al Yousef stressed the importance of broadening Omani-Egyptian economic relations through joint manufacturing and export-oriented projects, which would raise added value, encourage investment in priority sectors and facilitate the transfer of expertise and modern technologies.
Trade exchange between Oman and Egypt reached around RO 97.6 million in the first half of this year. Omani imports from Egypt rose by 16.6 per cent to RO 44.3 million, while Omani exports to Egypt stood at RO 53.3 million. The number of companies registered in Oman with Egyptian participation reached 4,647 as of November 2025. — ONA
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