Second
Omani Afro-Chinese Business Forum Launches in Salalah

Salalah,
9 Sep 2026 (ONA) — The second edition of the Omani Afro-Chinese Business Forum
launched today in the Wilayat of Salalah, organized by the “Business
Forum” in a strategic partnership with Oman Chamber of Commerce and
Industry (OCCI).

The
event features the participation of a number of investors and business owners
from the Sultanate of Oman, the People’s Republic of China, and a number of
Horn of Africa countries, running for two days.

The
opening of the forum was held under the auspices of Eng. Ahmed Hassan Al Dheeb,
Deputy Chairman of the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free
Zones (OPAZ).

Mustafa
Abdul Qadir Al Ghassani, representative of the Omani-Chinese Friendship
Association, delivered a speech in which he pointed out that light of the
economic and developmental renaissance experienced by the Sultanate of Oman,
and its strategic location connecting Asia and Africa, it possesses significant
assets to serve as a platform for enhancing tripartite cooperation among Oman,
China, and Africa, in line with the targets of Oman Vision 2040, while simultaneously
keeping pace with the growing opportunities offered by African markets and the
continuous development in the Omani-Chinese partnership.

He
added that the future of Omani-African-Chinese cooperation holds vast
opportunities, particularly for new generations who possess the capacity to
innovate and forge partnerships that transcend traditional boundaries, noting
that investing in people, knowledge, and cultural connection is no less
important than investing in the economy and infrastructure.

For
his part, Majid Said Akaak, Chairman of the Forum’s Organizing Committee,
explained that this forum represents a strategic meeting point that unites the
interests of the three parties and their economic integration, combining
Chinese technological industries, the Sultanate of Oman’s distinguished
geographical and logistical location, and African markets with high population
densities, while affirming the deeply rooted historical trade and diplomatic
relations between the Sultanate of Oman, China, and Horn of Africa countries.

He
indicated that among the main goals of the forum is attracting investment and
localizing African capital, as a group of investors was attracted to transfer
their commercial and investment operations to the Sultanate of Oman, with the
presence rate of investors from Horn of Africa countries rising by more than
400 percent compared to the past two years prior to the launch of this forum,
according to recent official figures and statistics.

In
the same context, Abdul Wali Bashir, representative of the African delegation
and member of the forum, highlighted the importance of trade and investment
partnerships among business owners and the continuous pursuit toward exploring
promising opportunities in the markets of participating countries.

The
forum witnessed the inauguration of the forum’s website, which offers a range
of electronic services and packages that contribute to facilitating intra-trade
between the Sultanate of Oman and Horn of Africa countries in multiple
languages.

The
forum’s opening also included the presentation of two working papers. The first
paper, presented by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information
Technology, addressed the importance of the transport and logistics sector as
fundamental pillars of the business, trade, and investment ecosystem, and their
role in promoting trade flow and connecting markets, ports, and economic zones.
The second paper was presented by the Public Authority for Special Economic
Zones and Free Zones on its economic and logistical assets and strategic
location that enhances investment and trade opportunities.

The
forum’s proceedings continue through panel discussions, bilateral business
meetings, and field visits to a number of economic institutions and sectors in
Dhofar Governorate, enabling participants to discuss areas of cooperation,
build partnerships, and explore investment opportunities directly.

—Ends/AG