Friday 13 / September / 2024
Muscat: The Omani-Belarusian Business Forum on Wednesday discussed means of enhancing economic and trade relations between the two countries, as well as promoting trade exchange and tackling challenges facing investors.
The forum was organised by Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI). The event focused on several economic sectors, namely tourism, industry, logistics, importing and exporting, food security, and information and communication technologies (ICT).
Eng. Hamoud Salim Al Sa’adi, Acting OCCI Chairman explained that the Chamber has worked to strengthen economic and trade relations with the Republic of Belarus in recent years by organising many high-level visits and meetings, which resulted in tangible positive results.
In his turn, Bogdanov Alexei, Minister of Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade in the Republic of Belarus, Head of the Belarusian delegation, pointed out that the forum reflects the desire of his country to boost relations with Oman.
He added that Oman has many components to be a gateway for Belarusian products to promising markets in the GCC and Asia.
He explained that the forum underlined means of stimulating bilateral cooperation, especially in the fields of industrial production, agriculture and information technology.
He said that Belarus seeks to support cooperation in many fields, especially in information technology, bearing in mind that Belarus owns an incubator with thousand companies working in various fields of information technology.
Meanwhile, Dr. Abdullah Masoud Al Harthy, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Belarus and member of the OCCI Board noted that the Omani private sector views Belarus as a promising economic and investment partner in light of the efforts made to develop areas and opportunities for joint cooperation.
He explained that holding the Omani-Belarusian Business Forum provided an opportunity for business owners in the two countries to strengthen bilateral relations and explore trade and investment opportunities, in addition to facilitating shipping, import and export routes in various areas of common interest.
During the forum a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between OCCI and the Belarusian National Centre for Marketing and Price Study.
The MoU deals with the exchange of information that are related to external trade, the business environment, opportunities for production and importing, as well as investment and market trends.
Moreover, a memorandum of understanding was signed between Oman National Engineering and Investment Company (ONEIC) and Belarus Hi Tech Park Company. This MoU pertains to the field of ICT and advanced technologies.
Another MoU was also signed between Omani Euro Food Industries SAOG and Minsk Dairy Factory.
The MoU pertains to cooperating in the field of retail business in Oman, with the possibility of expanding to neighboring countries and markets.
Furthermore, the forum showcased prominent investment and commercial opportunities in the Sultanate of Oman. It also highlighted projects that are being implemented in accordance with Oman Vision 2040.
On the sidelines of the forum, several B2B meetings were held between Omani and Belarusian businesspeople.
The forum was attended by Qais Mohammed Al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion and several officials from both sides.
