Deepening Oman-Türkiye Trade Ties at OMNEX 2026: What It Means for Investors and Entrepreneurs in Oman
MUSCAT: The Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) inaugurated the Oman International Exhibition and Forum (OMNEX) on Monday at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre. The event attracted extensive participation from government bodies and local, regional, and international companies, aiming to foster investment partnerships and business opportunities aligned with Oman Vision 2040.
This year, the Republic of Türkiye is the guest of honour. The opening ceremony took place under the patronage of His Highness Sayyid Faisal bin Turki al Said, with the presence of Necmettin Bilal Erdogan, son of the Turkish President, alongside senior officials, decision-makers, and private-sector leaders.
Faisal bin Abdullah al Rawas, Chairman of OCCI, emphasized that OMNEX unites government and business leaders, as well as investors from Oman and abroad, presenting “real opportunities” to boost investment, expand partnerships, and explore innovative business ventures. He highlighted that Oman’s exhibitions and economic forums are strategic platforms designed to widen commercial networks, exchange expertise, and initiate joint projects that contribute significant value to the national economy.
Welcoming Türkiye’s role as guest of honour, al Rawas noted it symbolizes the strong economic ties between the two countries and their mutual interest in enhancing trade, investment cooperation, and establishing long-term strategic partnerships.
Ibtisam bint Ahmed al Farooji, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion for Investment Promotion, stated that the event reflects Oman’s global economic relations and highlighted the rapid growth of Oman–Türkiye ties. She revealed a 21% increase in the number of Turkish companies registered in Oman in 2025, reaching 696 firms.
Türkiye’s Vice Minister of Trade, Sezai Uçarmak, described the forum as an effective platform to strengthen direct business links and open new opportunities for multi-sector cooperation. He remarked on the ongoing development of trade and investment relations and praised the forum’s sector scope for creating practical partnership opportunities.
Rustam Minnikhanov, Head of the Republic of Tatarstan, expressed his region’s eagerness to deepen trade and economic ties with Oman. He identified Islamic banking and petrochemicals as key areas for collaboration, citing Tatarstan’s expertise in these industries.
Shaikh Salem bin Abdullah al Rawas, Head of the Omani side of the Omani–Turkish Business Council, outlined the 2026 edition’s focus on creating opportunities, building commercial partnerships, and translating shared visions into tangible projects with sustainable economic impact. He stressed that successful economic relations depend on partnership, integration, and value addition beyond mere trade. The council is committed to increasing private-sector engagement, facilitating direct investor meetings, and linking investment opportunities to executable projects to ensure the event culminates in significant partnerships.
Highlighting Türkiye’s guest-of-honour status, Shaikh Salem pointed to leadership-level exchanges, including His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik’s visit to Türkiye, which marked a milestone. This visit resulted in 24 signed agreements and memoranda of understanding across various fields and the creation of a $500 million joint investment fund, demonstrating mutual trust and a shared commitment to converting political agreements into economic and investment outcomes.
He underlined Oman’s attractive investment climate, offering diverse opportunities in priority sectors such as industry, energy, logistics, tourism, mining, and the green economy—making it a promising destination for long-term, high-quality investments within a stable and business-supportive environment. The joint council remains dedicated to supporting this partnership and the forum’s success.
In a private-sector perspective, Dr. Mohammed al Barwani, Chairman of the Mohammed Al Barwani Group of Companies, shared insights from the group’s long-term diversification strategy in Türkiye. Since entering the Turkish market in 2014 through acquiring the Turquoise Shipyard, a leading facility building luxury yachts, the group has contributed to industrial growth and access to international markets. He cited Türkiye’s strategic location, industrial base, young workforce, and competitive operating costs as advantages while noting challenges like currency volatility and inflation.
The opening event also featured the signing of memoranda of understanding between government entities and prominent companies aimed at fostering investment cooperation and establishing projects in key sectors. Notable agreements included an IT collaboration between Türksat and Imtac and a medical services partnership between InTech and Mint Medical Services. The ceremony acknowledged official and supporting entities for their roles in the event’s success and efforts to enhance the investment environment through innovative initiatives.
The forum programme includes sessions on “promising sectors for joint investment,” covering energy, industry, tourism, and logistics, as well as a session on “the business environment, investment record, and commercial legislation in Oman,” which reviews foreign investment procedures, incentives, and mechanisms designed to facilitate business establishment and boost investor confidence.
Spanning two days, the event comprises specialized presentations, bilateral company meetings, and showcases of innovations and investment opportunities by Omani institutions and international participants. Additionally, an “Oman–Türkiye Night” was held in the venue’s front garden, featuring traditional cuisine, heritage attire, and folk performances to celebrate cultural exchange between the two nations.
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The OMNEX 2026 forum underscores Oman’s strategic commitment to deepening international partnerships and aligning with Vision 2040, creating fertile ground for businesses seeking expansion through cross-border collaboration. The focus on Türkiye as guest of honour highlights a growing bilateral synergy with significant opportunities in sectors like petrochemicals, Islamic banking, and technology, while the establishment of a $500 million joint investment fund signals robust investor confidence. Smart investors and entrepreneurs should now consider leveraging emerging Omani-Turkish collaborations and Oman’s stable, diversified investment climate to capitalize on long-term growth and innovation-driven projects.
