Oman export promotion agency delegation to visit India

DUBAI: A 14-member high-profile business delegation from Oman will visit India next week to develop new business opportunities and strengthen existing trade and investment ties between the two countries.

The delegation is scheduled to visit New Delhi on August 10 and will be led by Salem Ben Nasser Al Ismaily, Chairman of Ithraa, Oman's inward investment and export promotion agency.

The delegation will also visit Mumbai, a city with considerable growth potential for Omani companies, as part of its effort to focus on improving trade, boosting collaboration and export.

"India is one of the fastest growing economies in the world with growth levels reaching between 5-6 per cent," Al Ismaily said.

"The market varies widely across its many different regions and states. India may be a complex and challenging market but it is one that should be taken seriously by Omani companies that are seeking to expand and go international," he said.

The Ithraa-led delegation will host a business seminar in New Delhi as well as business to business meetings with Indian importers, agents and manufacturers in an effort to develop new business ties in food processing, petrochemicals and plastics.

The business opportunities have now stretched beyond the traditional business centers to the emerging cities such as Chennai, Nagpur, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Pune and Jaipur, Al Ismaily said.

As a follow-up to the delegation's visit, Ithraa has already made plans to host an investment forum with Indian businesses in Muscat on October 12-13 this year.

The Oman-India Investment Forum aims to raise awareness of investment opportunities in Oman and provide an opportunity for business leaders from both the nations to make important connections.