From Cairo to Muscat: Beyond Trade, Towards Co-Production and Investment

I do not view this meeting as a routine protocol-driven gathering.

The Egypt-Oman Industry and Investment Forum held in Cairo was, in my view, the beginning of a much more significant dialogue regarding economic relations between the two countries.

As an attendee, what struck me most was that the discussions were not limited to mere expressions of goodwill. While the Omani delegation presented investment opportunities, Egyptian industrialists and investors actively inquired about direct investments, production, and partnership possibilities. The emerging picture indicates that economic cooperation between the two nations can be elevated to a brand-new phase.

Now, the main issue is translating the will manifested in Cairo into concrete projects and a viable roadmap.

Because the opportunity between Egypt and Oman is not just about selling more products to one another; it is about producing together, investing together, and opening up to third markets together.

Different Strengths of the Two Countries

Evaluating Egypt solely as a large consumer market with a population of approximately 120 million would be incomplete.

Egypt possesses a deep-rooted industrial infrastructure, a vast human resource base, production experience, and a wide manufacturing spectrum ranging from textiles and food to pharmaceuticals, chemicals, machinery, and agriculture.

Therefore, one of Egypt’s greatest assets is not only its large domestic market, but also its manufacturing and export capacity.

Oman possesses a strategic value that extends far beyond its population of around 5 million.

Oman’s primary strength lies in its geographical location, modern ports, advanced infrastructure, economic and free zones, and its positioning as a gateway to Gulf, Asian, and East African markets.

Especially when considered alongside Yemen, the Gulf countries, Iran, East Africa, and Asia, Oman’s economic perimeter extends well beyond its own population.

Consequently, rather than comparing the two countries, they should be evaluated as two complementary economic powers.

When Egypt’s production and scale advantages combine with Oman’s strategic location and logistics power, a much greater economic value can emerge.

Oman’s Striking Quest for Investment

During the meetings in Cairo, one of the aspects that particularly caught my attention was the Omani delegation's resolute approach to attracting investment.

I personally observed that the delegation did not merely recount opportunities in Oman, but made a serious effort to attract Egyptian industrialists and investors to the country.

Their approach to understanding investors' needs, answering their questions, and evaluating partnership opportunities across various sectors clearly demonstrated that Oman is actively and earnestly seeking investments.

I think this is an important message.

Because investments do not happen on their own. It is necessary to reach out to investors, provide accurate information, generate answers to their concerns, and build trust.

Witnessing the Omani delegation's efforts and on-the-ground approach was one of the most positive aspects of the meeting for me.

Oman’s Investment Advantage

Presentations regarding Oman’s economic and free zones were also noteworthy in this regard.

Spread across different regions of the country, these areas are developed to support industrial, production, logistics, and commercial activities.

Proximity to ports, airports, and transportation networks provides significant advantages for investors.

What stood out here was not just the incentives, but the convergence of production, logistics, and market access within a single investment model.

This characteristic makes Oman a noteworthy investment hub, particularly for Egyptian companies looking to reach the Gulf, East Africa, and Asia.

The Egyptian Industrialist’s Message: Concreteness

Another important aspect of the Cairo meeting was the stance of Egyptian industrialists.

Industrialists no longer want investment opportunities merely described to them; they want those opportunities concretized.

Elements such as costs, infrastructure, incentives, labor, logistics, company establishment processes, and legal guarantees are natural components of any investment decision.

Additionally, examples from various sectors presented at the meeting were significant.

It became evident that the two countries could complement each other in fields such as textiles and petrochemistry, food, fisheries and aquaculture, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, water technologies, and logistics.

The goal here is not to list as many sectors as possible, but to bring together the right companies in the right sectors.

Moving Beyond Trade

Trade will, of course, continue to be important in the new era of economic relations between Egypt and Oman.

However, trade can be the first step; the ultimate goal must be higher-value-added co-production and investment.

A company may first bring its product to the other country’s market, then establish representation and distribution networks. Once a market is established, joint production or direct investment can follow.

Successful models can subsequently be expanded to third markets such as the Gulf, Africa, and Asia.

This approach can transform the economic relations of the two countries from mere bilateral trade into a regional manufacturing and export partnership.

Law, Human Resources, and Technology

Investment is not just capital and factories.

Legal guarantees, rapid and predictable dispute resolution, qualified human resources, vocational training, and technology transfer are also inseparable parts of the investment environment.

Therefore, it is vital that cooperation between Egypt and Oman extends beyond trade and industry to encompass education, professional development, technology, innovation, and human capital.

Because sustainable investment is fundamentally driven by capital, technology, and human resources moving together.

Now the Real Issue: The First Project

Following the meeting held in Cairo on August 31, 2026, the two sides face a responsibility far more important than organizing another meeting: transforming the will demonstrated in Cairo into concrete projects.

To achieve this, a continuously operating industry and investment mechanism can be established between Egypt and Oman.

The relevant institutions, industrial organizations, and investors of both countries can identify priority sectors, match companies, inspect investment zones on-site, jointly conduct feasibility studies, and establish a concrete work schedule for suitable projects.

The goal here should not be organizing more meetings, but turning the outcomes of meetings into investments.

Success should not be measured by the number of meetings held, but by realized investments, established partnerships, created employment, and exports to third markets.

Because what is needed moving forward is clear:

It is time to progress from project to project, not from meeting to meeting.

Final Word: What Will We Produce Together, Rather Than What Will We Sell to Each Other?

The strongest thought that stayed with me from the meetings held in Cairo on August 31 is this:

Egypt and Oman have a great deal to offer one another.

Egypt’s population of approximately 120 million, manufacturing capacity, and industrial experience are significant strengths.

Oman’s strategic location beyond its population of around 5 million, its ports, economic and free zones, advanced infrastructure, and regional access capabilities are equally important strengths.

These two strengths should not be pitted against each other; they must be placed side by side.

Egypt can bring its manufacturing power.

Oman can bring its strategic location and logistical capabilities.

The two countries can invest together, produce together, and open up to world markets together.

Because the real question is no longer:

“What will Egypt sell to Oman?”

or

“What will Oman sell to Egypt?”

The real question should be:

“What can Egypt and Oman produce together?”

This dialogue initiated in Cairo can translate into investment in Muscat; production in Oman; and shared success in the Gulf, African, Asian, and global markets.

To achieve this, the two countries have a new opportunity ahead of them:

To transform goodwill into projects, projects into investments, investments into production, and production into exports.

This is the true objective of the Egypt–Oman Roadmap.