Oman and Spain: Strategic relations and new partnerships

Under the leadership of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, the Sultanate of Oman continues to strengthen its distinguished relations with countries around the world, in pursuit of mutual benefit and the promotion of the principles of international peace and security.

His Majesty’s state visit to the friendly Kingdom of Spain is an important milestone in this work, building on more than five decades of relations founded on mutual respect and shared understanding.

Over the past fifty years, Omani–Spanish relations have been marked by constructive cooperation, helping establish a solid partnership across many fields — particularly political and economic. This has been evident in a series of  high-level meetings, and bilateral agreements. These included the visit of King Felipe VI of Spain to express his condolences to His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik on the passing of Sultan Qaboos bin Said.

The two leaders held a phone conversation on October 8, last year, during which they reviewed relations and exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest. The previous Spanish King,  Juan Carlos I made several visits to the Sultanate of Oman, the most recent of which was in 2014, when a number of agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed.

Oman and Spain cooperate across many sectors, particularly in the economic and investment domains. Business forums, agreements, and memoranda of understanding between the public and private sectors, as well as investment funds, contribute to enhancing integration in these areas. They also help to make the most of opportunities in renewable energy, tourism, food security, infrastructure, technology, and defence.

Since the 1980s, the economic and investment partnership between the two countries has witnessed significant growth. It reached new heights following the establishment of the Oman–Spain Joint Private Equity Fund in 2018, created through a partnership between the Oman Investment Authority and Spain’s state-owned COFIDES company. The fund was further strengthened in 2023, and has invested in 11 Spanish companies across various sectors, including food industries, renewable energy, technology, manufacturing, healthcare, and marketing.

By the end of 2024, the volume of trade between the two friendly countries exceeded OMR 94 million. Oman’s exports to Spain amounted to nearly OMR 34m, while imports from Spain reached OMR 60m, according to data from the National Centre for Statistics and Information.

Spain’s main exports to Oman include ships, aircraft, cars, foundry products, flooring materials, and ammunition, while Omani exports to Spain consist mainly of aluminium, plastics, electrical materials, organic chemical products, and frozen fish.

By the end of September 2025, 58 Spanish-registered companies were operating in Oman, with a total invested capital of more than OMR 69m. According to data from the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, these companies are mainly active in the construction, transport, storage, and wholesale and retail trade sectors.

International tourist arrivals to Oman from the Spanish market grew by 19 percent during the third quarter of this year, reaching more than 6,700 visitors, according to data from the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism.

The Ministry has been targeting the Spanish market through promotional campaigns  and opened a tourism representation office in Spain in July 2025. The aim is to strengthen ties with partners in the Spanish tourism sector, explore opportunities for cooperation, and familiarise Spanish travel and tourism agencies with Oman’s rich tourism offering.

Thamer Alalawi, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to the Kingdom of Spain, said that this historic visit reflects the depth and strength of the close friendship between the two countries and their peoples. He added that the meeting between the two leaders will serve as a powerful catalyst to build the strategic partnership between Oman and Spain — established since the beginning of diplomatic relations in 1972.

He explained to the Oman News Agency that relations between Oman and the Spain are in continuous development, marked by close bilateral cooperation that has resulted in multiple partnerships across various fields.

He added that recent years have seen a notable expansion in the signing of agreements between the sovereign wealth funds of the two countries. Oman has become the third-largest recipient of Spanish investment among GCC states, with investments amounting to nearly OMR 37m. This has helped make Oman a reliable and attractive partner for a wide range of Spanish economic sectors, including tourism, civil engineering, chemical and metal industries, water management, and commercial activities.

Francisco Javier de Isturiz, Spain's Ambassador to Oman, said that Oman and Spain enjoy strong, friendly relations, built on mutual respect, reinforced by solid institutional ties. He added that both countries take pride in their joint efforts to promote the values of understanding and cooperation among nations, as well as their shared commitment to supporting dialogue and upholding international law in resolving conflicts.

He told the Oman News Agency that His Majesty's visit holds great significance for relations, representing a unique opportunity to review the cooperation achieved over the years and to highlight further areas where both countries can work together. He described Oman as an ideal location in the region, thanks to its good relations with many countries and its strong trade links with major markets such as the United States and India.

Faisal bin Abdullah Al Rawas, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that the visit of His Majesty to Spain will strengthen relations between the two friendly countries, crowning the close ties that unite them.

He explained that this visit reflects His Majesty’s keenness to consolidate economic cooperation and open wide prospects for commercial and investment partnerships.

He explained to the Oman News Agency that the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in cooperation with its Spanish counterpart, is working to explore promising investment opportunities across various economic sectors.

He said that business meetings and trade forums have strengthened communication between private-sector institutions in both countries, discussing ways to enhance trade and develop joint projects, supporting economic diversification and stimulating mutual investments.

This is an unofficial English version of an Arabic report. To view the official Arabic text, click here.