Muscat – Oman and the Philippines are looking to deepen their long-standing partnership through stronger economic cooperation, expanded educational exchanges and enhanced people-to-people engagement, according to H E Noralyn Jubaira Baja, Ambassador of the Philippines to Oman.

Having assumed office five months ago, H E Noralyn said her priorities include strengthening bilateral relations and engaging with the more than 48,000-strong Filipino community in Oman. She also outlined plans for new initiatives spanning trade, tourism, education and cultural cooperation as the two countries approach the 46th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Excerpts:

What is your immediate focus as the new ambassador of the Philippines to Oman?

It has been five months since I assumed my post as Ambassador of the Philippines to Oman, and my immediate focus has been to engage with our Filipino community in Oman, which now numbers more than 48,000.

I have also met with our partners in the Omani government to convey my commitment to further strengthen and deepen our bilateral relations with the sultanate.

As we approach the 46th anniversary of diplomatic relations, it is my intention to achieve new and meaningful milestones that will benefit both our peoples through enhanced economic, political, cultural and people-to-people cooperation.

How many visas were issued to Omanis travelling to the Philippines last year? What are the main purposes of travel and are there plans to further promote tourism and education?

Omani nationals do not require a visa to visit the Philippines for stays of up to 30 days. Based on our observations, there is growing interest among Omanis to visit the Philippines for both leisure and business.

There are ongoing efforts to expand tourism and educational exchanges between our two countries. A recent meeting involving the Philippines’ Commission on Higher Education and Oman’s Ministry of Labour and Ministry of Education explored opportunities for greater institutional cooperation, including reciprocal visits and academic exchange programmes.

On the tourism front, we continue to promote the Philippines as a diverse and welcoming destination for Omani travellers. Tourist arrivals from Oman increased 58% in 2024 compared with 2023.

What new initiatives is the embassy or the Philippine government planning in Oman this year?

We are currently negotiating several agreements aimed at enhancing economic and political cooperation between our two countries, and we look forward to finalising most of these this year. I believe these initiatives will bring Oman and the Philippines even closer while strengthening the ties between our peoples.

The first half of the year has already seen two Philippine cabinet ministers visit Oman to meet their counterparts. Our Secretary of Foreign Affairs visited in February, followed by the Secretary of the Department of Migrant Workers in April. In June, one of our commissioners from the Commission on Higher Education also met officials from Oman’s Ministry of Labour.

Are there plans to establish a new Philippine school in Muscat?

At present, there are no plans to establish a new Philippine school in Muscat. However, the existing Philippine School is exploring options to relocate to a larger campus to accommodate its growing student population.

The school enrolled more than 900 students during the last academic year, and its current facilities are no longer adequate to meet the increasing number of enrolments and transfers.

What are the latest developments in investment, trade and business cooperation between Oman and the Philippines?

You may have heard about the second Oman-Cebu Investment Forum, held in Muscat in February 2026, which brought together Filipino business professionals and executives from both the Philippines and Oman. The forum provided an important platform for strengthening commercial links and fostering new business partnerships. Plans are already underway for the third Oman-Cebu Investment Forum, scheduled to be held in Manila later this month.

We have also learned that a Philippine company has recently signed investment agreements and cooperation memoranda at the Special Economic Zone at Duqm.

Beyond these developments, we continue to promote greater economic engagement between the Philippines and Oman, as we see significant potential to further expand trade and investment cooperation.