Muscat – Oman welcomed 83 CEOs from 30 countries at the inaugural Advantage Oman Forum on Sunday, marking a crucial step in the sultanate’s efforts to attract global investment and foster international partnerships.

The two-day event, held under the patronage of H H Sayyid Shihab bin Tarik al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs, was officially launched in Muscat by Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion (MoCIIP).

Organised by MoCIIP through its investment arm, Invest Oman, the forum has brought together over 250 high-level delegates, including international investors, policymakers and business leaders. Designed as a strategic platform for dialogue, the forum will address key global economic themes such as climate finance, shifting capital flows, regional integration and long-term investment strategies.

The event comes amid global economic uncertainty, prompting countries to reassess how best to attract and sustain investment. Oman is using the forum to highlight its stable policy environment, regulatory reforms and diversified economy – key pillars of its Vision 2040 development strategy in alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Discussions on Day 1 of the forum focused on several priority sectors, including clean energy, logistics, sustainable tourism and agri-tech. Emerging investment themes such as environmental, social and governance (ESG) frameworks, green hydrogen, digital infrastructure and resilient supply chains were also explored. Oman’s ongoing reforms and innovation-driven initiatives were presented as case studies.

In his opening remarks, H E Qais bin Mohammed al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, emphasised Oman’s reputation as a reliable partner in a world marked by geopolitical uncertainty and economic disruption. “Oman has long served as a bridge between East and West, tradition and innovation,” he said, recalling the country’s historic role in peaceful engagement and trade, including its landmark move in 1844 as the first Arab country to send an ambassador to the United States.

H E Yousef highlighted Oman’s economic transformation, guided by four key pillars: societal innovation, economic diversification, environmental stewardship and strong governance. He also pointed to key indicators of Oman’s economic resilience, such as fore-  casted GDP growth of 3.4% for 2025, 18% year-on-year increase in foreign direct investment over the past five years, and projection to become world’s sixth-largest hydrogen producer by 2030.

“However, our real advantage lies not in our policies but in our people,” H E Yousef noted, inviting participants to experience Oman’s renowned hospitality.