Muscat: Trade between Oman and Tanzania has more than doubled over the past three years, rising from US$140mn to US$350mn, reflecting stronger economic and investment ties between the two countries.

H E Saud bin Hilal Al Shidhani, Oman’s ambassador to Tanzania, said the growth has been driven by strong political support and expanding cooperation in trade, investment and logistics, building on the two countries’ longstanding historical and cultural ties.

He noted that business exchanges have increased in recent years, with more Omani companies participating in trade exhibitions in Tanzania and forging partnerships with the Tanzanian private sector.

Describing Tanzania as a strategic gateway to East Africa, H E Al Shidhani cited its Indian Ocean location, expanding logistics infrastructure and membership of the East African Community and the Southern African Development Community, giving Omani exporters access to a regional market of hundreds of millions of consumers.

He said Omani investments in Tanzania have diversified following the signing of agreements on the avoidance of double taxation and reciprocal investment protection in 2024. Investments now cover sectors including oil and gas, mining, industry, agriculture, fisheries, airport management, land transport and quarantine infrastructure.

The ambassador added that Tanzanian investors are showing growing interest in Oman’s real estate sector, attracted by the sultanate’s stable investment environment.

According to H E Al Shidhani, logistics, ports, food processing, agriculture, livestock, tourism, renewable energy, mining, special economic zones and supply chains offer the greatest potential for future cooperation. He added that the complementary roles of Omani and Tanzanian ports could strengthen trade and re-export activities between the Gulf and East Africa.

H E Al Shidhani said Tanzania’s population of around 65mn makes it an attractive market for Omani products and investments, expressing confidence that bilateral trade and investment would continue to grow with support from both governments and the private sector.

He said most agreements and memoranda of understanding signed during Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s visit to Oman in June 2025 have entered the implementation stage. Preparations are also under way for the third meeting of the Oman-Tanzania Joint Committee in Dar es Salaam to review progress and identify new areas of cooperation.

H E Al Shidhani also announced that Air Tanzania will soon launch direct flights between Dar es Salaam and Muscat, operating three times a week, a move expected to strengthen tourism, trade and business links. Dar es Salaam will also host Omani Cultural Week in September to further enhance bilateral ties.