Oman and Egypt Explore Industrial Integration: What It Means for Business Growth and Investment Opportunities
Muscat: Oman and Egypt are actively seeking to enhance their industrial and investment cooperation, with a focus on expanding bilateral trade and joint manufacturing, following discussions held in Muscat on Monday.
Qais bin Mohammed al Yousef, Oman’s Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, welcomed Kamel El Wazir, Egypt’s Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport, to explore ways to revitalise investment flows between the two nations.
The talks emphasized opportunities for Omani products to gain access to African markets by utilising Egypt’s trade connections and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) agreement. Both sides concurred that closer collaboration would boost trade, attract new investments, and serve their mutual economic interests.
The ministers also discussed prospects for industrial integration across several promising sectors, aiming to maximise the benefits of the Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA) and enhance value-added manufacturing.
Both parties appreciated ongoing efforts to expedite memoranda of understanding focused on the unification of standards and acceptance requirements for goods, products, and services. Discussions also included cooperation on anti-dumping measures, subsidies, and safeguards, with the goal of reinforcing economic and industrial ties.
It was agreed to organise a joint economic forum in partnership with the Chambers of Commerce in Oman and Egypt to promote private-sector participation and explore new business 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, Minister al Yousef met with a delegation of Egyptian business leaders to review investment opportunities in Oman, including ongoing and planned projects. The discussions focused on expanding joint commercial ventures, strengthening industrial partnerships, and increasing trade volumes.
Al Yousef highlighted the significance of broadening Omani-Egyptian economic relations through joint manufacturing and export-oriented projects, which would create added value, foster investment in priority sectors, and facilitate the transfer of expertise and advanced technologies.
Trade between Oman and Egypt reached approximately RO 97.6 million in the first half of 2025. Omani imports from Egypt increased by 16.6 percent to RO 44.3 million, while Omani exports to Egypt amounted to RO 53.3 million. As of November 2025, the number of companies registered in Oman with Egyptian participation totalled 4,647. — ONA
Special Analysis by Omanet | Navigate Oman’s Market
The renewed industrial and investment cooperation between Oman and Egypt presents a strategic opportunity for Omani businesses to leverage Egypt’s extensive trade links with African markets, especially through COMESA, boosting export potential and value-added manufacturing. For investors and entrepreneurs, focusing on joint manufacturing ventures and sectors benefiting from GAFTA integration can enhance competitiveness, attract foreign investment, and facilitate technology transfer. However, they should also consider the evolving regulatory landscape around standards, anti-dumping measures, and subsidies to navigate risks effectively and capitalize on emerging cross-border opportunities.
