Tuesday 06 / October / 2026
Astana: His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of the Republic of Kazakhstan attended Oman-Kazakhstan Business Forum at Astana International Financial Centre today, within the framework of the state visit undertaken by His Majesty to the Republic of Kazakhstan.
His Majesty the Sultan commended the growth and development witnessed in the fields of partnership and investment between the two countries across several sectors, calling for the extension of new bridges of investment and economic partnership in various sectors and the discovery of available opportunities in both countries in a manner that serves mutual interests.
The forum was organised by Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) and the Kazakh national company "Kazakh Invest", in cooperation with Oman Investment Authority (OIA). The forums aims to enhance opportunities for economic and investment cooperation between the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Kazakhstan, with the participation of officials and businessmen and businesswomen from the two countries.
The forum witnessed the signing of agreements and memoranda of understanding and the official announcement of the activation of electronic linkage between the Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX) and the Astana International Exchange (AIX), enabling investors to access securities listed on both markets and execute trading operations through qualified brokerage firms.
Abdulsalam bin Mohammed Al Murshidi, President of Oman Investment Authority, affirmed during the Oman–Kazakhstan Business Forum that economic and investment relations between the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Kazakhstan are witnessing accelerating growth across the energy, mining, food security, logistics, tourism and financial sectors. He noted that the establishment of the joint Oman–Kazakhstan investment fund marks a significant step toward bolstering investments between the two countries, while the formation of the Oman–Kazakhstan Business Council will help strengthen the role of the private sector and drive economic relations toward broader horizons.
For his part, Nurlan Zhakupov, Chief Executive Officer of Samruk-Kazyna, said in his address that the forum had brought together a number of business representatives from both countries. He noted that discussions had focused on the food security, transport, logistics, mining, and energy sectors, pointing out that these fields hold substantial potential for expanding bilateral trade and investment.
Faisal bin Abdullah Al Rowas, OCCI Chairman affirmed to Oman News Agency that the Royal care enjoyed by the Omani private sector, and the attention accorded by His Majesty to empowering it and enhancing its contribution to the march of economic development, have contributed to consolidating a more open and competitive business environment and broadened the horizons of partnership and investment with various global markets.
He explained that the attendance of His Majesty the Sultan and the President of Kazakhstan at the proceedings of the Oman-Kazakhstan Business Forum embodies the attention and support enjoyed by economic and investment relations between the two friendly countries at the highest levels, and reflects their aspirations to elevate them towards broader and more sustainable partnerships, thereby enhancing the role of the private sector in developing joint cooperation and transforming available opportunities into initiatives and projects that serve mutual interests.
He said that this forum represents an important space for the transition of trade and economic relations from the level of understanding to further practical partnerships, and affirms the role of the private sector in translating the distinguished relations between the two countries into projects and investments of added value.
He expressed his aspiration that the bilateral business meetings accompanying the forum will contribute to building direct links between Omani and Kazakh companies, and identifying priority areas of cooperation, leading to practical partnerships and projects, and translating the close relations between the two friendly countries into broader and more sustainable economic and trade cooperation.
For his part, Dr. Salim bin Abdullah Al Shanfari, Chairman of the Omani side in the Oman-Kazakhstan Business Council, affirmed to Oman News Agency that the establishment of the Council in conjunction with the Royal visit of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik lends its launch particular importance, and enhances the prospects for building sustainable cooperation between the two business communities in both countries.
He explained that the Council will work to identify priorities for trade and investment cooperation, ascertain the needs of companies and direct efforts towards opportunities and projects that meet the aspirations of the private sector. He noted that the forum constitutes a practical beginning for the work of the Council, through the communication it affords between companies and the exploration of possible areas of cooperation.
He affirmed that the Council will continue to follow up on the opportunities and proposals put forward by the forum, and to coordinate thereon with the relevant parties, in support of crystallising them into practical partnerships and projects that serve shared economic interests.
The forum witnessed the organisation of two panel sessions. The first panel session was titled "Food Security: Building Oman-Kazakhstan Supply Chains", and featured remarks by Eng. Nasser bin Khalifa Al Kindi, Chief Executive Officer of "Invest Oman" at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion; Eng. Abdullah bin Salim Al Fazari, Director General of Strategy and Performance at the Oman Food Investment Holding Company and a number of representatives of government and private entities in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The session discussed the sectors of food security, agricultural trade and the building of Omani-Kazakh supply chains. It also explored opportunities for developing trade in agricultural and food products, and enhancing integration between production, markets and logistics services, in support of building more efficient and sustainable supply chains.
The second panel session was titled "Transport Systems and Logistics Services as Drivers of Trade and Investment", and featured remarks by Eng. Said bin Ali Al Abri, member of the Board of Directors of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Head of the Chamber's branch in North Al Batinah Governorate; Al Khattab bin Salim Al Ma'ani, Senior Manager of Trade Facilitation at Oman Logistics Centre in Asyad Group, Salim bin Marhoon Al Hashmi of Oman Tank Terminal Company and a number of representatives of government and private entities in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The session discussed transport systems and logistics services as drivers of trade and investment, with a focus on the role of infrastructure, trade corridors and logistics services in enhancing the movement of goods and products. The forum was accompanied by the organisation of bilateral meetings between business owners and representatives of companies from the two countries, which allowed for discussion of cooperation opportunities, exploration of areas of investment and trade exchange and identification of market needs and available opportunities.
These meetings also formed a direct platform for examining areas of partnership in sectors of common interest, enhancing communication between companies and building business relations that contribute to the development of economic and investment cooperation between the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Kazakhstan.
