Saturday 03 / May / 2025
Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman and the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria are working to elevate the fraternal relations between the two nations, which have spanned over half a century and continue to witness remarkable growth across political, economic, and cultural spheres. This includes renewable energy projects, petrochemicals, desert agriculture, technology, tourism, and other promising sectors.
The bilateral relations between the two countries are distinguished by shared visions and stances on various regional and international issues, serving their mutual interests and contributing to strengthening Arab solidarity, as well as the pillars of security, peace, and stability in the region and the world.
Both nations back efforts to reinforce peaceful approaches by upholding international law, respecting global legitimacy, and adhering to principles of justice and fairness.
The upcoming state visit of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria on Sunday and his meeting with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune of Algeria, underscore the deep-rooted fraternal ties between the two nations.
Last October, President Tebboune paid a state visit to Oman, during which official talks were held in an atmosphere of mutual understanding, reflecting both sides’ commitment to advancing bilateral cooperation across various fields. These discussions served the common interests of both countries and highlighted their longstanding historical ties.
As many as 8 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were signed in diverse sectors, including investment promotion, exhibition and event organisation, education, higher education, environment and sustainable development, financial services, employment and training, media, and the establishment of a joint Omani-Algerian investment fund. This fund will facilitate partnerships and projects in renewable energy, petrochemicals, desert agriculture, technology, tourism, and other promising fields.
In a statement to the Oman News Agency (ONA), Saif Nasser Al Badai, Oman’s accredited ambassador to Algeria, emphasised that Sultan Haitham bin Tarik’s visit marks the first bilateral state visit by an Omani Sultan to Algeria.
He added, “This underscores the immense significance of this visit, which comes amid exceptional progress in bilateral relations. It will yield fruitful outcomes for future cooperation, guided by the vision and directives of both countries’ leaderships. We have already witnessed their strong commitment to strengthening ties at all levels through decisions made during President Tebboune’s state visit to Muscat last year.”
Regarding economic and investment cooperation, the ambassador highlighted efforts to elevate collaboration to match the historical political relations between the two nations. Recent achievements have been realised on the ground, including the leaders’ endorsement of the initiative to establish a joint Omani-Algerian investment fund. This fund will facilitate bilateral partnerships in energy, petrochemicals, mining, desert agriculture, pharmaceutical industries, technology, tourism, and other priority sectors outlined in both governments’ future plans, he added.
In this context, an Omani ministerial delegation visited Algeria last February, comprising ministers responsible for investment, health, fisheries, agriculture, and water resources. They held discussions with their Algerian counterparts and conducted field visits to explore Algeria’s investment incentives and experiences.
The ambassador also noted that an Algerian delegation visited Oman last month to enhance cooperation in transport and logistics, touring key facilities such as the Salalah Free Zone and Port.
He expressed optimism about the future of economic partnership, stating, “The developments expected in the coming days make me highly optimistic about the prospects of economic collaboration between our two countries.”
Regarding upcoming initiatives, he outlined a clear roadmap and ongoing negotiations between Omani and Algerian companies in promising sectors, with advanced discussions on partnerships underway.
The ambassador pointed out that the number of registered companies with Algerian contributions reached 423 by the end of 2023, up from 251 in 2022—a growth rate of 68.5%.
On cultural, tourism and academic cooperation, the ambassador affirmed Oman’s commitment to further enhancing collaboration in these areas. He referenced "Oman Vision 2040," a comprehensive roadmap guiding national aspirations across all sectors.
An Omani delegation from the National Records and Archives Authority visited Algeria last year under an executive program signed during the latest joint committee meeting. Omani participation in Algeria’s Arab Film Festival in Oran and various theatrical events has expanded Oman’s cultural presence beyond the International Book Fair. Similarly, Algerian intellectuals have actively engaged in Omani cultural activities.
Efforts are underway to increase the number of Omani students in Algerian universities through expanded scholarships, with initial results visible in the current academic year.
The ambassador highlighted the role of the Omani-Algerian Joint Committee in coordinating and advancing partnership initiatives since the 1990s. The committee’s eighth session, held last June in Algiers, resulted in dozens of agreements covering vital sectors, reinforcing bilateral cooperation and clarifying future prospects.
Additional MoUs on investment, trade, and higher education have already been implemented, with further projects in the pipeline to enhance strategic relations.
The ambassador emphasised opportunities for private sector collaboration, noting Algeria’s promising sectors for Omani investors and Oman’s attractive environment for Algerian investors.
The ambassador stressed the importance of Omani-Algerian coordination on regional and international issues, highlighting Oman’s clear vision and distinguished global standing, alongside Algeria’s regional and international influence. Both nations emphasised the need for Arab unity in addressing regional challenges, particularly the just Palestinian cause.
On his turn, Faisal Abdullah Al Rowas, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), emphasised that the upcoming visit of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria marks a historic step that reflects the depth of bilateral relations between Oman and Algeria.
He affirmed that the visit would open new avenues for cooperation in various fields, particularly in trade and economic sectors, which serve as the cornerstone for shared growth and progress.
In a statement to the Oman News Agency (ONA), he noted that trade relations between Oman and Algeria have seen significant growth in recent years. However, this gracious visit by His Majesty the Sultan represents a new phase of close and sustainable cooperation between the two nations, enabling both sides to explore further joint investment opportunities. He stressed that OCCI firmly believes in the importance of these relations in driving the Omani and Algerian economies toward wider horizons, aligning with both countries’ visions for sustainable development.
He explained that His Majesty the Sultan’s visit to Algeria focuses on strengthening cooperation in multiple vital sectors, reflecting the strategic direction to deepen trade and economic collaboration. The visit will also provide opportunities for business owners and investors from both countries to exchange expertise and enhance cooperation in major investment projects that serve mutual interests.
He pointed out that the MoUs signed during the Algerian President’s visit to Oman last October underscore the commitment to bolstering bilateral cooperation across vital fields and mark an important step toward expanding partnership prospects.
He added that such visits are fundamental to advancing economic relations and boosting trade cooperation. He expressed confidence that this visit will serve as a new starting point for further progress and prosperity in Oman-Algeria relations, anticipating more fruitful cooperation in the coming period. “The OCCI is committed to providing all possible support and resources to strengthen economic ties between the two nations, expanding trade exchange and promoting joint investments,” affirmed Al Rowas.
Preliminary data from the National Centre for Statistics and Information indicate that trade volume between Oman and Algeria rose by nearly 48% in 2024, reaching OMR62.988 million compared to OMR41.417 million in 2023.
The data revealed that Oman’s total exports to Algeria in 2024 amounted to approximately RO 62.3 million, while imports from Algeria reached around RO 707,900.
The total number of Algerian visitors to Oman through all ports reached 5,222, compared to 4,856 in the previous year—a 7.5% increase.
Sohar-based SOGEX Oman, an Omani company specializing in electricity and water, became the first Omani firm to invest in Algeria through the development of power and desalination plants. This included the implementation of Algeria’s first power station, the Arzew Electricity and Water Plant, in 2004.
Dr. Suhaib Aboudia, CEO of SOGEX Oman, stated that over 20 years have passed since the Arzew Plant’s operation, and the company now seeks to invest in developing additional stations, such as the Terga and Koudiet plants, in partnership with the Algerian government. He noted that SOGEX established the Algerian Company for Operation and Maintenance as part of this specialised electricity sector partnership.
He affirmed that the company’s investments in Algeria exceed $150 million, with plans for further expansion and diversification, particularly in desalination projects.
In 2008, the Suhail Bahwan Group entered a strategic partnership with Algeria’s Sonatracb by establishing the Omani-Algerian Fertilizer Company, which developed a $3 billion urea complex. The facility includes two industrial units producing ammonia and urea, with a total daily output of 4,000 tons of ammonia and 7,000 tonnes of urea in Arzew, Algeria.
Salim Saad Bahwan, CEO of the Suhail Bahwan Group, stated that the group holds a 51% stake in the urea complex, inaugurated in 2014, with plans to expand ammonia production capacity by up to 50%.
He added that the Omani-Algerian Fertilizer Company contributes to developing Algeria’s petrochemical industry and enhancing food security by supplying essential fertilizers to support the agricultural sector. It also boosts Algerian non-hydrocarbon exports by supplying global markets.
Salem Saad Bahwan further revealed that the Suhail Bahwan Group plans to invest in Algeria through a car assembly and manufacturing plant in partnership with South Korea’s Hyundai. Significant progress has been made, with the factory location identified and total project costs currently under study.
