Oman and USA discuss trade and investment
Oman and the United States of America discussed ways to enhance trade and investment during the second strategic dialogue held in Washington.
Oman's delegation was headed by Sheikh Khalifa Alharthy, Foreign Ministry Undersecretary for Political Affairs, while the American delegation was headed by Jose Fernandez, Undersecretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy and Environment.
The two sides discussed opportunities available to American companies in the Omani market, highlighting information and communications technology services, semiconductors and clean energy.
They reviewed opportunities for cooperation in displaying and disseminating technologies for carbon capture, use, storage, and carbon dioxide removal through technical exchange, investment, and trade missions.
Cooperation between the USA and Oman in the field of geological carbon was strengthened by a technical workshop in Muscat in September 2023 hosted by the Ministry of Energy and Minerals in cooperation with the US Department of Energy.
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed by the Ministry and Eden GeoPower to study the possibilities of catalytic hydrogen production in Oman.
The two sides expressed their commitment to considering new ways to enhance cooperation in developing clean energy solutions including using the experience of the American private sector as well as investment opportunities in vital minerals necessary for the transition to clean energy.
They touched on environmental priorities within the framework of the Omani-American MOU on environmental cooperation and discussed means of communication between researchers from Omani universities and their counterparts in American research centres and universities to enhance scientific research in the field of clean energy.
The two sides also welcomed the continuation of cooperation in the fields of education, culture and science and the selection of the first Omani candidates for the Fulbright Visiting Professor Programme in nearly ten years as a major step.
They expressed their aspiration to enhance cultural, educational and scientific exchange in priority areas including artificial intelligence, space applications, higher education, clean energy, comprehensive education and the media and film industries.
The two sides agreed to explore new ways to increase the number of Omani students studying in the United States and American students studying in Oman and affirmed their commitment to maintaining the continuity of high-level bilateral visits including the next session of the strategic dialogue in 2025.
They also discussed ways to enhance mutual prosperity through the MOU signed last year between the US Export-Import Bank and the Omani Ministry of Finance to facilitate the purchase of goods and services for projects in the Sultanate worth $500 million as well as through the newly established trade attaché at the Omani Embassy in Washington.
This is an unofficial English version of an Arabic report. To view the official Arabic text, click here.