Oman-based Ithraa, the sultanate's inward investment export development agency, in partnership with Arab-Swiss Chamber of Commerce and Industry recently held a one-day Invest in Oman Forum at Geneva’s Hotel President Wilson, Switzerland.

The forum helped underline the importance of Switzerland as a key investment and trading partner, said a statement from Ithraa.

Attracting 50 plus high-profile Swiss businesses operating in logistics, tourism, manufacturing, agriculture and fisheries, the forum was opened by Ambassador Abdulla Nasser Al Rahbi, Oman’s permanent representative to the United Nations in Geneva, it said.

The forum featured speakers from Duqm Special Economic Zone, ASAAS, Petroleum Development Oman, the Port of Duqm and HSBC, it added.

Alya Al Hosni, director of industrial investment, Ithraa, said: “In an effort to boost trade and investment relations between Omani and German companies we held a series of successful meetings in Dusseldorf last week.”

“Capitalising on HSBC’s extensive German business network, as well as the sultanate’s existing investment ties in Germany,” she said.

“We’ve now moved on to Geneva where colleagues presented on key sectors and the exciting commercial opportunities Oman offers potential Swiss partners,” she added.

Al Hosni continued: “This has been a very successful trade mission to Europe and I congratulate all of the Omani companies involved. This visit has served to strengthen our economic ties with Germany and Switzerland as well as raise awareness of what Oman can offer in terms of world-class infrastructure, workforce, products and services. It is clear that there is great potential for partnership between Germany, Switzerland and Oman.”

Sajda Al Ghaithi, media director, Ithraa, said: “We are working hard to build on recent inward investments into the sultanate as well as the success of Omani non-oil exports.”

“Indeed, this success clearly demonstrates how Omani companies can meet the needs of German and Swiss companies operating in sectors that include logistics, tourism, petrochemicals, manufacturing, agriculture and fisheries,” she said.

“Our B2B meetings in Dusseldorf as well as today’s Invest in Oman Forum are part of Ithraa’s drive to help increase inward investment, export market penetration and further support Omani companies’ growth and diversification,” she added.

Al Hosni said: “The sultanate is open for business and the Government is committed to supporting non-oil Omani export growth and encouraging inward investment.”

“Significant opportunities exist for German-Swiss companies to set-up and grow in Oman. This is the message we delivered loud and clear in Dusseldorf and Geneva,” she concluded. – TradeArabia News Service