London Hosts Oman Investment Forum 2025 to Strengthen Financial and Economic Cooperation

London, The Gulf Observer: The Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Ministry of Finance in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, held the Oman Investment Forum 2025 in London on Tuesday. The event aimed to strengthen financial, investment, and economic cooperation between Oman and the United Kingdom, reinforcing investor confidence and highlighting Oman’s fiscal reforms and sustainable growth strategies.

The forum served as a platform to present Oman’s success stories, fiscal policies, and structural reforms that have enhanced economic stability and competitiveness. It also showcased the government’s strategies for attracting foreign investments through major national projects and initiatives.

In the opening session, Nasser Khamis Al Jashmi, Chairman of the Tax Authority and Head of the Omani Delegation to the Strategic Advisory Group (SAG), delivered a presentation titled “Pathways to Oman’s Financial Stability.” He outlined the key fiscal measures and reforms that have strengthened Oman’s financial foundation and investor confidence.

Al Jashmi emphasized the depth of Oman–UK relations, describing them as “a pillar of friendship and shared prosperity.” He stated, “This forum is a testament to the strong and enduring partnership between our two countries within the framework of the Strategic Advisory Group (SAG). The UK is currently the largest foreign investor in Oman’s economy, accounting for 51.2% of total FDI, underscoring the importance of this forum in fostering growth in investments between the two nations and enhancing global collaboration.”

Mahmood Abdullah Al Aweini, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Finance and Supervisor of the National Programme for Fiscal Sustainability and Financial Sector Development (Estidamah), delivered a presentation titled “Oman’s Economic Transformation Journey: From Stability to Prosperity.” He discussed the impact of structural improvements and economic diversification initiatives on attracting international investors.

Al Aweini remarked, “This forum showcases the renewed international confidence in Oman’s economy and financial strength, with the presence of leading financial institutions and investment funds. Oman has successfully transformed fiscal challenges into opportunities, achieving milestones in financial reform and sustainability. The UK remains a key strategic partner in our shared pursuit of investment and economic progress.”

He further noted that Oman’s public debt-to-GDP ratio declined from 68% in 2020 to 34% in 2024, leading to a reduction in debt service costs by more than 12% from peak levels recorded in 2020.

The first panel discussion, titled “Financing Growth: Reforming Oman’s Financial Sector,” featured Ahmed Jaafar Al Musalmi, Governor of the Central Bank of Oman, and Mahmood Abdullah Al Aweini. The session focused on strengthening the financial and banking sectors and the role of debt instruments in financing national growth.

Al Musalmi stated, “This forum represents a pivotal moment — transforming over two centuries of Omani–British partnership into a structured platform for resilient, diversified growth. Oman’s strategic location at the crossroads of Asia, the Middle East, and Africa offers access to over 2.5 billion consumers, supported by world-class ports, free zones, and integrated supply chains.”

In the second session, Mohammed Mahfoodh Al Ardhi, Chairman of the Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX) and Executive Chairman of Investcorp Holdings, addressed “Navigating Global Economic Challenges.” He reviewed emerging global economic trends and their implications for Oman’s financial resilience.

Meanwhile, Mulham Bashir Al Jarf, Deputy Chairman for Investment at the Oman Investment Authority (OIA), participated in the panel “Advancing Oman’s Capital Markets in a Global Context.” He highlighted the OIA’s initiatives to expand and modernize the Muscat Stock Exchange since its transfer to the Authority in 2021, which has led to record growth in trading volumes and investor participation.

Eng. Nasser Khalifa Al Kindi, CEO of the Invest Oman Lounge, remarked, “As Invest Oman, we view the United Kingdom as a long-standing and trusted partner in shaping the next phase of Oman’s investment story. Together, we are translating strategic dialogue into tangible opportunities that drive growth and shared prosperity.”

The event, organized in partnership with Sohar International Bank and HSBC, brought together representatives of investment funds, global banks, financing institutions, and private-sector companies. On the sidelines, specialized panel discussions were held to exchange expertise and strengthen bilateral cooperation in finance, economics, and investment.

It is noteworthy that the Oman–UK Strategic Advisory Group (SAG) will hold its 13th meeting from October 23–24, 2025, in Cardiff, Wales, to continue advancing the strategic and economic partnership between the two nations.