Sunday 07 / December / 2025
Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman and the Lebanese Republic are keen to enhance bilateral cooperation in various political, security, economic, and cultural fields, paving the way for building a new stage of strategic and economic partnership between the two countries.
The upcoming official visit of President General Joseph Aoun of the Lebanese Republic to the Sultanate of Oman this Tuesday and his meeting with His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik hold special importance in affirming the keenness of the two countries’ leaderships on promoting the bilateral relations and pushing them towards wider horizons.
In this context, Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Saidi, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to the sisterly Lebanese Republic, stated that the relations between Oman and Lebanon have been distinguished, since the opening of our first embassy in Beirut in 1972, by their strength and robustness, rooted in Arab and historical ties.
He added that the two countries pay great attention to enhancing political and economic partnerships with Arab nations in terms of sustainable development and economic integration, as outlined in Oman Vision 2040 which focuses on strengthening partnerships with Arab countries, and similarly in the Lebanese President's oath speech which emphasised solidifying strategic relations. Based on this convergence of approach, it is hoped this visit will contribute to further activating the partnership between the two countries, especially in economic, commercial, tourism, agricultural, and educational fields.
There are memoranda of understanding under consideration that will be signed during the meeting of the Omani-Lebanese Joint Committee in the first half of next year. The Ambassador noted that this visit embodies and reinforces the solid relations linking the two countries; both countries possess economic components and a strategic location attractive for investment.
On the political front, he underlined Oman's firm and steadfast position in backing the sovereignty of Lebanon and its national unity. He also stressed Oman’s complete rejection of any violations of Lebanon’s sovereignty and territories. Oman, the Ambassador said, will also continue to support diplomatic and political efforts aimed at achieving political and economic stability that serves Lebanon and its people.
He explained that Oman's embassy in Lebanon serves as a link between government bodies in both countries to serve common interests. It works to activate economic diplomacy by encouraging investments, facilitating communication between the two sides, visits by economic delegations, and supporting companies' participation in joint exhibitions and events.
The embassy also introduces and explores investment opportunities in Oman by holding discussions with economic bodies and investors, and exploring ways to enhance bilateral relations in this field with Lebanese officials. Bilateral relations between the two countries have witnessed promising activity to explore partnership horizons in recent months.
This included the meeting between the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion of Oman and the Lebanese Minister of Economy and Trade at the Omani-Lebanese Forum to explore investment horizons last September, and the meeting between the Minister of Education of Oman and the Lebanese Minister of Education and Higher Education last November.
On the economic front, Oman and Lebanon have enjoyed solid trade relations since ancient times. These commercial links have contributed to enhancing cultural, intellectual, and historical exchange between the Omani and Lebanese peoples, creating an environment of cooperation and communication across ages.
The governments of both countries seek to provide facilities, incentives, and enablers that empower the private sector to contribute to achieving prosperity and sustainable growth.
The volume of trade exchange between Oman and Lebanon during the first half of 2025 saw a growth of 29.4 percent, reaching approximately OMR8.5 million (22.2 million US dollars), compared to OMR6.6 million (17.1 million US dollars) during the same period in 2024, according to statistics from the National Centre for Statistics and Information.
The statistics indicated that Omani exports to Lebanon recorded noticeable growth of 30.7 percent in the first half of this year, with a value of approximately OMR2.8 million. Meanwhile, the value of Lebanese imports to Oman reached OMR5.7 million, representing a growth rate of 28.8 percent compared to the same period in 2024.
The number of Lebanese companies registered in Oman reached more than 1,035 by September 2025, with a total invested capital estimated at OMR191.5 million, with the Lebanese contribution forming about 80 percent, according to data from the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion. Most investments are concentrated in the trade and retail, construction, manufacturing, transportation, and food services sectors.
The two sides organised the Omani-Lebanese Economic Forum in Muscat in October 2025. It aimed at enhancing economic relations and expanding areas of trade, industrial, and investment cooperation between the two countries. It included discussion sessions on investment and partnership opportunities and a parallel exhibition featuring products and services from more than 100 companies and institutions from both countries in diverse sectors such as industry, food, tourism, and logistics, in addition to bilateral meetings between Omani and Lebanese business owners.
In this context, Faisal Abdullah Al Rowas, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, affirmed that the economic and trade relations between Oman and Lebanon represent an advanced model of Arab cooperation built on mutual respect and a sincere desire to enhance developmental partnerships.
He pointed out that these relations, which extend over long decades, have witnessed remarkable growth in trade exchange and joint investment, reflecting the solid trust between the two sides.
He added that the current phase opens wide horizons for developing economic cooperation, especially given Oman's attractive business environment, developed logistical infrastructure, and investment-incentivizing legislation, alongside Lebanon's qualitative expertise in service sectors, technology, food industries, and creative industries, making the two countries partners in value-added projects.
Al Rowas affirmed that Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry is pressing ahead with enhancing communication channels between business owners in both countries by organising bilateral meetings, joint economic committees, trade delegations, providing information, and facilitating access to qualitative investment opportunities.
For his part, Rashid Amer Al Muselhi, First Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, clarified that the economic relations between Oman and Lebanon are witnessing an advanced stage of coordination and partnership, driven by a clear vision from both countries to open new paths for cooperation suitable for changes in the regional and international economy.
He noted that Lebanon possesses numerous expertise in service sectors, the financial sector, media communication, and cultural industries. These are fields that represent added value and can align with economic diversification approaches in Oman amidst ongoing expansion in free and economic zones and growing opportunities in technology, logistics, and inter-trade.
In his turn, businessman Abdullah Jamal stated that the Lebanese President's visit to Oman will enhance and solidify Omani-Lebanese relations, especially in the economic and commercial field, and open a new chapter of cooperation and investment between the two countries. It will also encourage businessmen to enter into joint investment projects.
He added that there are real opportunities for Lebanese investors to invest in Oman across various industrial, tourism, technological, renewable energy sectors, and special and free economic zones. In turn, there are opportunities available for Omani companies to enter into partnerships with their Lebanese counterparts in innovation, entrepreneurship, and specialized services fields.
He affirmed that the upcoming phase will be promising with more joint initiatives aimed at supporting investments and expanding the volume of trade exchange. This will contribute to enhancing the presence of the private sector and raising the level of strategic partnerships between the two countries, especially with SalamAir resuming its flights to Beirut.
