Oman-Italy Business Ties Strengthen: Key Opportunities for Investors and Entrepreneurs
MUSCAT: The Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) hosted the Omani-Italian Business Forum on Sunday, focusing on enhancing economic and investment collaboration between Oman and Italy. Key areas of discussion included infrastructure, railway engineering, construction, manufacturing, energy systems, and development finance.
The event convened Eng. Hussain bin Hassan Abdulhussain, OCCI Board Member; Pierluigi D’Elia, Ambassador of Italy to Oman; alongside business leaders and investors from both nations at OCCI’s headquarters in Muscat.
Eng. Abdulhussain emphasized that the forum underscores the strength of bilateral relations and the mutual commitment to enhancing trade and investment. He noted the steady progression in ties between Oman and Italy, particularly following the recent official visit of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to Oman, invited by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, which further solidified economic collaboration.
In 2025, trade between Oman and Italy reached approximately €440 million, comprising about €80 million in Omani exports and €360 million in imports from Italy. The year also saw around 80,607 Italian tourists visiting Oman, showcasing a surge in tourism and cultural exchanges. Italian firms are increasingly establishing a foothold in Oman across various sectors, including mining, industry, real estate development, oil and gas, and logistics, facilitated by the Italian Trade Agency in Muscat and direct Oman Air flights to Milan and Rome.
The ambassador highlighted the forum’s significance in deepening partnerships and exploring new opportunities within priority sectors, describing Oman as a stable and appealing investment destination due to its clear economic vision, modern regulatory framework, and strategic position as a regional logistics hub. He pointed out Italy’s strengths in railway engineering, advanced infrastructure, and energy systems that could bolster Oman’s major national projects.
The forum also featured an “Invest in Oman” presentation, which outlined the nation’s investment incentives and a single-window platform that integrates over 22 public and private entities, supported by a national negotiation team and investor relations managers. Attendees learned about Oman’s strategic location connecting GCC, Asian, and African markets, strong credit ratings, and rising non-oil exports.
Presentations from the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology highlighted investment opportunities in transport and logistics, including innovative mobility initiatives, green hydrogen refuelling infrastructure, electric transport projects, biofuels in maritime operations, and shore-to-ship power supply systems aimed at emission reduction. The Ministry of Energy and Minerals also showcased investment potential in the mining sector for 2025.
Additionally, business delegations from both countries engaged in bilateral meetings to explore partnerships, exchange expertise, and identify opportunities for joint projects aimed at enhancing economic cooperation.
Special Analysis by Omanet | Navigate Oman’s Market
The recent Omani–Italian Business Forum underscores a strengthened bilateral relationship that presents substantial opportunities for businesses in Oman, particularly in infrastructure and energy systems. As Italian firms view Oman as an attractive investment destination, smart investors should leverage this momentum to explore partnerships in emerging sectors like transport and green energy. However, awareness of the competitive landscape and the evolving regulatory environment will be crucial to mitigating risks associated with navigating these new opportunities.
