Exploring the GCC Advantage: What Tejarah Talks Mean for Business Growth and Investment Opportunities in Oman
MUSCAT: A decade ago, global ambition defined business success, with emphasis on global markets, supply chains, and reach. The world appeared borderless, and scale was paramount.
However, recent years have revealed a different reality. Tariffs, trade disputes, and supply-chain disruptions have exposed the vulnerabilities of long-distance interdependence. Geography has regained importance as a practical advantage. In many regions, closer-to-home collaboration is yielding results once attributed solely to globalization.
In Southeast Asia, ASEAN’s coordinated industrial policies and shared digital frameworks are driving increased cross-border manufacturing and investment in regional data centers. Africa’s African Continental Free Trade Area is establishing one of the largest trading zones globally, with the World Bank projecting a 33% rise in intra-African trade once fully implemented. Europe is enhancing resilience and competitiveness through joint energy interconnections and rail modernization projects.
This regional cooperation logic extends to the Gulf, where it remains central to economic development. Countries are increasingly linking energy corridors, digital infrastructure, and logistics networks. As industries focus on decarbonization, digitalization, and diversification, collaboration is evolving into both an economic and strategic imperative.
These themes will be explored during the upcoming session of ‘Tejarah Talks’ on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at 11 a.m., held at the Sultan Qaboos Higher Centre for Culture and Science. The discussion will feature His Highness Sayyid Dr. Adham al Said, Co-Founder of The Firm; Dr. Firas al Abduwani, Director General of Renewable Energy & Hydrogen at the Ministry of Energy and Minerals; and Essam al Sharji, General Manager of Corporate Affairs at be’ah. Moderated by Jamal al Asmi, Creative Growth Director at Mubashir, the session will focus on how trade and supply-chain strategies are fostering a more interconnected regional economy and how cooperation in the circular economy, energy, technology, and talent is reshaping competitiveness.
“Regional collaboration is no longer just about shared borders or markets; it’s about shared purpose,” said HH Sayyid Dr. Adham al Said. “The challenges and opportunities ahead in digital integration, energy transition, and sustainable growth demand a more connected approach to thinking and action. Tejarah Talks provides a platform to explore what this means in practice.”
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Oman’s businesses stand to gain significantly from the renewed emphasis on regional collaboration, as it fosters stronger ties in energy, digital infrastructure, and logistics within the Gulf. This shift towards nearby partnerships reduces reliance on fragile global supply chains, presenting opportunities in decarbonization, digitalization, and diversified industries. Smart investors and entrepreneurs should prioritize ventures that leverage regional integration and sustainability initiatives, positioning themselves at the forefront of Oman’s evolving competitive landscape.