Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, said that the increase in non-oil trade between the UAE and Oman reflects strong relations between the two nations. These ties help ensure both countries meet their development goals and that this trajectory contributes to economic growth, ensuring both business communities build long-lasting partnerships.
Al Zeyoudi’s comments came during his official visit to Muscat, where he participated in the Advantage Oman Forum 2025, which aims to highlight future investment opportunities in emerging sectors.
Oman remains UAE’s second-largest GCC trading partner
Al Zeyoudi noted Oman continues to maintain its position as the UAE’s second largest trading partner in the GCC, and non-oil trade between the two countries grew in 2024 to AED56.2 billion ($15.3 billion), an increase of 9.8 percent compared to 2023, and an increase of 32.4 percent compared to 2020.
He stressed that UAE-Oman relations are an example of what a strategic partnership between neighboring countries aimed at achieving prosperity and sustainable development should be. Their partnership contributes to the hopes of both their peoples and boosts development on both sides.
During the visit, Al Zeyoudi met with Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef, Oman’s Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, and a number of other senior officials, where the two sides exchanged ideas on enhancing ties between the UAE and Oman. Al Zeyoudi also held meetings with other ministers and senior officials to discuss ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in mutually beneficial areas.
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Forum highlights Oman’s economic potential
Organized by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, the Advantage Oman Forum 2025 discussed the potential of the global investment environment, the trends shaping the future of promising sectors, and the discovery of opportunities.
The two-day event brought together over 250 prominent figures, including senior officials, decision-makers and regional and international investors, highlighting Oman’s position as a promising investment destination.
In his opening speech, Al Yousef emphasized that the forum marks a first-of-its-kind strategic event for Oman, attracting top decision-makers, business leaders and investors across key sectors. The forum comes as Oman experiences significant growth in the economic and investment fields, supported by rising international indicators.
He noted that the forum coincides with a period of increasing momentum in Oman’s economic and investment sectors. Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows grew by 16.2 percent in Q3 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. Additionally, Oman’s credit rating was upgraded to BBB- with a stable outlook by Standard & Poor’s.
Oman’s GDP is also expected to grow by 3.4 percent this year, outperforming many global economies—a testament to the resilience of the national economy and international market confidence.
