The Omani-Lebanese Economic Forum and its accompanying exhibition has commenced at Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre, aiming to boost economic relations and expand the scope of trade, industrial, and investment cooperation between the Sultanate of Oman and the Lebanese Republic.
Jointly organized by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion and the Lebanese Ministry of Economy and Trade, in cooperation with Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Federation of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture in Lebanon, the Omani-Lebanese Economic Forum hosts several investment institutions, industrial companies, and service providers from both sides.
Qais Mohammed Al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, highlighted the strong commercial ties between Oman and Lebanon, noting their role in deepening cultural, intellectual, and historical exchange between the two nations.
The Omani minister expressed hope that the Omani-Lebanese Economic Forum would further strengthen joint cooperation, promote economic integration, and build a competitive, sustainable economy capable of keeping pace with global developments.
Dr. Amer Bisat, Lebanon’s Minister of Economy and Trade, affirmed that relations between Lebanon and the Sultanate of Oman are built on mutual respect, recognition of expertise, and a shared belief that economic cooperation is vital for development and stability. He noted that the forum aims to elevate these ties through practical partnerships and productive initiatives.
In his address, he outlined three key action areas:
Establishing a permanent joint economic committee to follow up on the forum’s outcomes and translate them into practical agreements.
Creating linkage platforms between the private sectors of both countries to promote partnerships, share opportunities, and foster knowledge and technical exchange in value-added industries.
Encouraging companies from both nations to leverage bilateral meetings during the forum to build long-term, impactful collaborations.
Faisal Abdullah Al Rowas, Chairman of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the Omani-Lebanese Economic Forum and its accompanying exhibition reflect a shared vision to strengthen economic cooperation between Oman and Lebanon. He emphasized that the event underscores the strategic importance of their partnership and mutual ambition to expand trade and investment ties.
Al Rowas noted that the Omani-Lebanese Economic Forum offers a vital platform for the private sectors of both nations to exchange expertise, explore opportunities, and forge stronger business connections, paving the way for joint projects that drive sustainable economic growth.
The meetings discussed investment opportunities in the sectors of industry, tourism, services, technology, agriculture, and trade, alongside reviewing mechanisms to boost trade cooperation and exchange expertise, and exploring the possibility of establishing strategic partnerships that contribute to supporting economic growth and achieving mutual interests.
On its first day, the Omani-Lebanese Economic Forum featured an introductory visual presentation on investment opportunities in both countries, along with a number of specialized working sessions. The most prominent was a session titled ‘Prospects for Economic Integration between Oman and Lebanon: Towards a Sustainable Industrial, Commercial, and Investment Partnership’, which was attended by a selection of economic leaders and a number of specialists from the public and private sectors.
Image credits: ONA | Cropped by GBN
On the sidelines of the Omani-Lebanese Economic Forum, the Lebanese-Omani Economic, Commercial and Industrial Exhibition was inaugurated, showcasing products and services from more than 100 companies and institutions from both countries across diverse sectors including industry, food, tourism and logistics. This provides opportunities to establish new partnerships and explore promising investment areas.
During the Omani-Lebanese Economic Forum, Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry organized bilateral meetings between Omani and Lebanese business owners. These aimed to enhance direct communication between company and institution representatives to build long-term commercial and investment partnerships between the two countries and translate them into practical projects that contribute to augmenting trade volume and diversifying exports.
Trade relations between the Sultanate of Oman and the Lebanese Republic recorded significant growth in the first half of 2025. The trade volume between the two countries reached $22.22 million (RO 8.5 million), up from $17.11 million (RO 6.6 million) during the same period in 2024, reflecting a robust 29.4 percent increase.
Data further indicated that the number of Lebanese companies registered in Oman exceeded 1,035 as of September 2025, with total invested capital valued at $498.7 million (RO 191.5 million). Lebanese investors account for around 80 percent of this capital, with most projects concentrated in trade and retail, construction, manufacturing, transport, and food services sectors.
