Iranian president Raisi to visit Oman on Monday

Iran looking to have preferential trade agreement with Oman, which will help enhance bilateral economic ties

Muscat - Ebrahim Raisi, President of Iran, is going to pay an official visit to Oman on Monday, the Diwan of Royal Court stated on Saturday.

‘In reiteration of the good neighbourliness and advanced relations binding the Sultanate of Oman and the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi will pay a visit to Oman this Monday, May 23,’ a statement said.

The visit reflects the keenness of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and President Raisi to enhance bilateral relations in various spheres to serve mutual interests and aspirations, the Diwan of Royal Court added.

The president’s office in Tehran announced that he will head a high-ranking delegation.

‘The visit is part of the Iranian administration’s policy of developing close ties with neighbours and promoting economic, political and cultural cooperation,’ the president’s office stated.

‘The programme includes a bilateral meeting, the signing of several cooperation documents, a meeting with Iranians residing in the country and a meeting with Omani businessmen.’

Raisi's visit to Muscat is the first visit of the president to the sultanate and his fifth foreign visit in the nine months since the establishment of his government.

In order to expand economic and trade relations between Iran and Oman, a delegation of 50 Iranian businessmen visited the sultanate last week.

Oman and Iran have enjoyed historical relations that have been strengthened by joint cooperation and mutual interests over the past 50 years. The neighbours are seeking to achieve further economic cooperation, especially in the sectors of economic diversification and investment opportunities. Trade exchange last year amounted to US$1.336bn.

About 2,710 Iranian companies have invested in Oman, including 1,163 with 100 per cent ownership and 1,547 OmaniIranian partnerships.

Ali Najafi, Iranian Ambassador to Oman, was recently quoted as saying that despite US sanctions and restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, trade with Oman experienced a substantial increase and officials of both countries are hopeful of boosting bilateral trade further.

He also noted that the sultanate ranked sixth among Iran’s neighbours and second among the GCC states for imports from the country.

Iran is looking to have an agreement with Oman to allow preferential trade, which will help enhance bilateral economic ties.