Monday 08 / September / 2025
Muscat: The Omani–Estonian Business Forum, hosted today by the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), affirmed the importance of strengthening economic and investment relations between the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Estonia, and of exploring cooperation and partnership opportunities between the private sectors of the two friendly countries.
The forum was attended by HE Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion; HE Sheikh Faisal bin Abdullah Al Rawas, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the OCCI; HE Margus Tsahkna, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Estonia; HE Ingrid Amer, Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia designated to the Sultanate of Oman; along with a number of business leaders from both countries.
By hosting the forum, the OCCI aimed to diversify the international economic partnerships of Oman’s private sector and benefit from advanced global experiences, particularly Estonia’s expertise in digitalisation and smart technologies. The forum discussed cooperation opportunities in several sectors, including information and communications technology, industry, cybersecurity, educational technology, agricultural technology, green and renewable energy, real estate, logistics and transport, smart manufacturing, and sustainability, among others.
HE Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, said that the Omani-Estonian Business Forum reflects the depth of friendly ties between the two countries and embodies broader ambitions for expanding joint cooperation. He noted that the presence of leading business representatives from both sides demonstrates mutual interest in strengthening relations, enhancing reciprocal investment, and seeking opportunities in priority sectors to expand trade, imports, and exports. He added that Oman is working to diversify its imports while at the same time boosting exports of Omani products, with the aim of establishing complementary investment relations between the two countries.
HE Sheikh Faisal bin Abdullah Al Rawas, Chairman of Board of Directors of the OCCI, stated that the forum represents a valuable opportunity to open new horizons for cooperation, especially given Estonia’s global leadership in digital transformation, e-government, innovation, and modern technologies, alongside Oman’s promising investment climate, strategic location connecting global markets, modern infrastructure, and ambitious Oman Vision 2040. He stressed that Omani-Estonian relations have witnessed increasing growth in recent years, providing confidence that the future of cooperation between the two countries holds vast opportunities. He expressed his aspiration for the forum to build on this momentum by launching practical partnerships across multiple sectors and diversifying areas of joint investment. He further noted that this cooperation is strengthened by Oman’s strategic ports, economic zones and free zones, which can enable Estonian businesses to access Gulf, Middle Eastern and East Asian markets. He confirmed OCCI’s commitment to supporting the business communities of both countries, facilitating dialogue, and providing the right environment for establishing joint projects that benefit both sides.
HE Margus Tsahkna, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Estonia, said the forum reflects the determination to build bridges of economic and trade cooperation, especially as Oman offers promising investment opportunities and a strategic location connecting regional and international markets, while Estonia brings leadership in digital technologies and innovation. He underlined that there are major opportunities for complementarity between the two countries in sectors such as digital transformation, renewable energy, logistics, education, and entrepreneurship innovation. He added that enhancing cooperation between Omani and Estonian companies serves not only the interests of both countries but also strengthens ties between Europe and the Gulf region. He expressed confidence that the forum will be an important step towards building practical and sustainable partnerships that deliver mutual benefit and open the way for high-quality investments.
HE Ingrid Amer, Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia to the Sultanate of Oman, stated that Omani–Estonian relations are advancing rapidly, particularly in economic and trade fields. She emphasised that with its promising investment climate and strategic location, the Sultanate of Oman is a key partner for the Republic of Estonia, which in turn offers deep expertise in digital transformation, innovation, and entrepreneurship. She noted that the next phase will bring greater opportunities for cooperation between entrepreneurs and companies from both countries, contributing to new commercial and technological partnerships that deliver mutual benefit and reinforce bilateral ties.
The forum also featured a presentation highlighting major investment opportunities available in the Sultanate of Oman across industrial, commercial, tourism and logistics sectors, as well as opportunities in special economic zones and free zones and the incentives and facilities provided by the Omani government to investors. On the sidelines of the forum, bilateral meetings were held between business leaders and private sector representatives from both countries, during which ways to enhance and establish commercial and investment partnerships were discussed.
