‘Invest in Oman’ heads for Germany, Switzerland

Underlining the importance Oman places on Germany and Switzerland as key trading partners, management from Ithraa, Oman’s investment and export development agency, will travel to Dusseldorf and Geneva this week to meet with leading German and Swiss businesses operating in logistics, tourism, petrochemicals, manufacturing, agriculture and fisheries.

The high-profile delegation also includes management from HSBC Bank Oman, Duqm Special Economic Zone, ASAAS, Petroleum Development Oman and the Port of Duqm. B2B meetings will be held in Dusseldorf on October 12-14 while an Invest in Oman Forum is scheduled for Geneva on October 17-19 in collaboration with The Arab-Swiss Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Ithraa has organised the European visit in close co-operation with HSBC management.

“We’re looking to capitalise on HSBC Bank Oman’s extensive German-Swiss business network, as well as existing investment ties in an effort to boost trade relations between Omani, German and Swiss companies,” commented Nasima al Balushi (pictured), Ithraa’s DirectorGeneral of Export Development & Investment Promotion.

Nasima explained: “Our research clearly indicates that many German and Swiss companies are looking to enter the GCC market using Oman as their gateway. We will be focusing our efforts on attracting firms working in logistics, tourism, petrochemicals, manufacturing, agriculture and fisheries. Indeed, we are looking to deepen Oman-German-Swiss business partnership for the longterm.”

“Throughout the 70 years we have been operating in the Sultanate, we have worked hand in hand with the Omani government in supporting the development of the country across a broad spectrum of industries. With our international connectivity and expertise, HSBC Bank Oman is well positioned to contribute towards supporting the foreign direct investment in Oman while working alongside Ithraa,” said Andrew Long, CEO of HSBC Bank Oman

Ithraa’s Director-General of Export Development & Investment Promotion concluded: “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’ll be delivering loud and clear in Dusseldorf and Geneva.”