Commerce Ministry launches 'Invest in Oman' hall

Business Monday 27/February/2023 13:56 PM
By: ONA
Commerce Ministry launches 'Invest in Oman' hall
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Muscat: The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion inaugurated “Invest Oman” hall at the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) premises on Monday.

The step highlights the efforts exerted to develop the business environment in the Sultanate of Oman and attract and localize foreign investments.

The opening ceremony was held under the patronage of Sultan Salim Al Habsi, Minister of Finance.

Present at the opening ceremony were Qais Mohammed Al Youssef, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, their highnesses, excellencies, GCC ambassadors, investors, business owners from inside and outside the Sultanate of Oman, and government and private officials.

“Invest Oman” hall is a unified window for integrated services to provide all services to investors and offer investment opportunities of which size exceeds RO one million, in cooperation with relevant government institutions and private establishments, according to international best practices.

“Invest Oman” hall aims at enhancing the investment milieu through which all procedures and requirements for the establishment, operation and completion of an investment project in the Sultanate of Oman are completed.

The hall offers integrated and well-thought-out investment opportunities. The hall also displays investment opportunities in all sectors, as well as incentives and facilities provided to investors.

“Invest Oman” hall contributes to strengthening the principle of complementarity of roles with partners and striving to streamline investment services efficiently and effectively. The collaboration of government institutions is the main driver for serving and caring for the investor with ease, speed and perfection.

The hall will display investment opportunities and explain the paths of localization of opportunities. It will also introduce the investor to the investment environment in the Sultanate of Oman and the facilities and services provided.

The hall will also clarify and explain the investment journey in all targeted sectors, as well as determining the expected time periods for completing the localization of projects.

The hall also aims at ensuring the progress of the investor’s journey is processed in accordance with the unified government services guide and service level agreements with government institutions, as well as raising the challenges facing investors and proposing appropriate solutions.

“Invest Oman” hall includes the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, the Ministry of Interior, Muscat Municipality, Royal Oman Police (Immigration and Passports), the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ), Environment Authority, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning, the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, the Ministry of Labour and the Administrative Affairs Council for the Judiciary (Notary Public), the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education. The hall also includes 6 private entities that can meet the needs of investors from within the hall, including a commercial bank, a telecommunications company, a legal advisory office, and an accreditation office.

Pankaj Kanaksi Gokaldas Khimji, Adviser of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion for External Trade and International Cooperation said that the embassies of the Sultanate of Oman and the marketing staff of the Ministry in various countries should promote “Invest Oman” abroad as a recognized brand and the main entry point for foreign investors wishing to invest in the Sultanate of Oman.

Sheikh Hilal Abdullah Al Hinai, Project Manager of the "Invest Oman" hall, affirmed that the hall comes to culminate an advanced and integrated system of infrastructure, regulations, legislation and incentives, in which the values of integration, joint work, professionalism and excellence in customer service are evident.

He added that the hall is an embodiment of decentralization through integration with the governorates, and global openness through the embassies of countries in the Sultanate of Oman, and Oman’s embassies abroad.

The opening ceremony also included an introductory tour for ministers and undersecretaries to closely get acquainted with “Invest Oman” hall and the services it provides. The hall was designed to hold bilateral meetings with investors to discuss their projects and present the investment opportunities available in the Sultanate of Oman.