The Sultanate of Oman hosted the Oman–Cebu Investment Forum with the participation of officials and business representatives from Oman and the Republic of the Philippines as part of efforts to strengthen economic and investment relations between the two countries.

The Forum was opened under the patronage of Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi,  in the presence of  Maria Theresa Lazaro Foreign Minister of the Philippines, and in cooperation with the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI).

In his opening remarks, Sayyid Badr said this second Forum reflects the shared commitment of the two countries to build on the outcomes of the inaugural Forum held in Cebu last year.

He said the Forum provides an effective platform to expand cooperation across a range of vital sectors including trade and investment, tourism, logistics, renewable energy, and education, as well as innovation and modern technologies.

He commended the positive role of the Filipino community Oman, estimated at around 50,000 people, and its contributions across various sectors. He affirmed Oman’s interest in strengthening partnerships and attracting skilled professionals to serve mutual interests.

In her speech Foreign Minister Lazaro highlighted the importance of the long standing relations between the two countries. She praised the vital role of the Filipino community in Oman as a key pillar in strengthening trust and cooperation. She expressed her country’s aspiration to advance the economic partnership with Oman in investment, trade, tourism, renewable energy, and the maritime economy.

She said the Philippines stands ready to provide an attractive investment environment, inviting Omani companies to benefit from promising opportunities in the Philippines, especially in light of its current chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Engineer Hamood AlSaadi, Second Vice Chairman of the OCCI, said the Forum reflects the growing development of economic relations between Oman and the Philippines. He said it also confirms the private sector’s interest in both countries in strengthening dialogue and building sustainable partnerships that serve mutual interests.

The Forum concluded with the two foreign ministries announcing their intention to continue strengthening economic and investment cooperation, to support the role of the private sector, and to build on the outcomes of the Forum in ways that contribute to furthering the  shared interests of the two friendly countries.