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Oman offers Qatari businesses investment projects in agri sector
Qatari businessmen have been encouraged to explore and take advantage of investment opportunities in Oman’s agriculture sector, the co-chair of the Qatari-Omani Business Council has said.
The council, which is co-chaired by Qatar Chamber first vice chairman Mohamed bin Towar al-Kuwari and Oman’s Mahmoud bin Mohamed al-Garawani, discussed investment opportunities available in Oman’s food and manufacturing sectors.
Speaking at the council’s meeting held on the sidelines of ‘Made in Qatar’ 2018 in Muscat, al-Garawani said Oman’s agriculture sector “is promising with the abundance of cultivable lands.”
Also, al-Garawani reviewed the ways to integrate both countries’ private sectors in the field of industry, and how to rely on the advancements in technology in the food manufacturing sector.
During the meeting, the council agreed to focus on developing joint co-operation between Qatari and Omani businessmen, as well as eliminating all obstacles faced by investors of both sides.
Al-Kuwari stressed that Qatar and Oman enjoy “deep-rooted and historic bilateral relations,” and noted that the staging of the ‘Made in Qatar’ exhibition in Oman “stems from the joint desire to develop Qatari-Omani ties and take them to even higher levels.”
The Qatar Chamber official called on Omani businessmen “to take advantage of Qatar’s attractive investment climate” and to enter the Qatari market, as well as increase their investments in Qatar.
Al-Garawani said the joint business council “will strengthen the communication between businessmen from both countries, encourage them establish more investments, help increase trade volume, and remove all obstacles that might hinder establishing joint ventures.”
“Omani and Qatari businessmen have shown strong desire to set up joint projects,” al-Garawani pointed out.
Abdulrahman al-Ansari and Nasser al- Haider, who are both council members and Qatar Chamber board members, expressed optimism in the strengthening of relations between Qatar and Oman’s private sectors.
Al-Ansari said Qatari businessmen are looking forward to increasing their investments in Oman “in all sectors,” noting that “there are successful Qatari-Omani partnerships.” Meanwhile, al-Haider emphasised that Qatari and Omani businessmen “have a major role to play in enhancing trade exchange between both countries.”
Private sector leader Qatar Chamber launched a new book, Industry… Strategic Choice, on the sidelines of the opening of ‘Made in Qatar’ exhibition at the Oman Conference & Exhibition Centre on Monday.
Qatar Chamber first vice-chairman Mohamed bin Towar alKuwari and second vice-chairman Rashid al-Athba presented the book to HE the Minister of Commerce and Industry Ali bin Ahmed al-Kuwari and Oman’s General Authority for Investment Promotion and Export Development president Yahia bin Saeed al-Jabri after the expo’s opening ceremony.
The minister and al-Jabri led the ribbon-cutting ceremony of ‘Made in Qatar’, which will run until December 6 in Muscat. The event, which was held for the second time outside Qatar, is showcasing the products and services of 240 Qatari companies. Al-Athba lauded the event, saying ‘Made in Qatar’ Oman edition was successful in generating a large turnout of visitors, particularly leaders of major Omani companies and other industries during its first and second day.
He also commended the attendance of leading businessmen and investors from Qatar and Oman during the ‘Qatar- Oman Business Forum’, which was held on the sidelines of the event.
Al-Athba stressed that the exhibition is a key platform for the Omani business community to learn about the Qatari industry and the investment opportunities available in the country, adding that the B2B meetings held were “fruitful.”
“These meetings reviewed enhancing mutual investments and the potential of establishing alliances and partnerships between Omani and Qatari firms. I hope the expo would conclude with a multitude of transactions between Qatari exhibiting companies and Omani companies in the period ahead,” al-Athba said. According to a statement from Qatar Chamber, visitors at ‘Made in Qatar’ were impressed with the variety and high quality of the products and industries being showcased at the event. This affirms that the Qatari industry “has significantly developed,” the chamber said.
“Visitor feedback revealed that Qatari products are highlywelcome in the Omani market. Qatari industries will be highlypromoted in Oman because of their high quality and reasonable prices, especially food products, building materials, and furniture,” the chamber said.
On the first day of ‘Made in Qatar’, Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry chairman Qais bin Mohamed al-Yousef hosted a gala dinner for the Qatari delegation, and was attended by Qatar Chamber’s al-Kuwari and al-Athba, as well as a number of board of directors and businessmen.