UAE-Oman economic cooperation strengthened in Abu Dhabi meeting
UAE-Oman economic cooperation advanced as ministers and Omani free zones chief meet in Abu Dhabi to boost investment, trade, food security, logistics, industry.
The UAE-Oman economic cooperation received a tangible boost after Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism, hosted Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousuf, chairman of Oman’s Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones, in Abu Dhabi. The meeting set out a shared agenda to expand bilateral investment, strengthen trade ties and deepen collaboration across sectors such as food security, logistics, energy and manufacturing. Officials described the relationship as rooted in historical ties and popular affinity, with both sides seeking to elevate cooperation to support sustainable growth across the two countries.
Bilateral meeting in Abu Dhabi
Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri and Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousuf held the bilateral talks at the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism in Abu Dhabi. The meeting focused on practical measures to scale up economic engagement and streamline channels of cooperation between government entities. Both officials reiterated a mutual commitment from the leaderships of the UAE and Oman to expand the partnership beyond traditional trade links and into strategic, long-term investment.
Priority sectors and investment opportunities
Delegations identified priority areas where UAE-Oman economic cooperation can deliver rapid gains, including food security, infrastructure, logistics and supply-chain resilience. Energy and industrial development were also highlighted as key areas for joint investment, with officials pointing to complementarities between the two economies. Discussions emphasized leveraging complementary ports, free zones and industrial clusters to attract new projects and increase the volume of cross-border capital flows.
Private sector links and trade flows
Ministers discussed measures to deepen ties between Emirati and Omani business communities and to stimulate private sector-led projects. Abdullah bin Touq noted that UAE markets host more than 9,180 companies and nearly 550 Omani brands, underscoring the existing commercial footprint and opportunities for expansion. Enhancing business matchmaking, trade missions and joint ventures was presented as a central tool to translate high-level intent into concrete deals.
Support measures for exporters and importers
Both sides agreed on the importance of easing trade processes to ensure steady movement of goods between the countries, particularly under current global supply-chain pressures. They pledged to coordinate on simplifying customs procedures, reducing logistical bottlenecks and providing support services for exporters and importers. Officials argued that such measures would increase trade volume, diversify traded goods and improve the resilience of bilateral supply chains.
UAE business environment and strategic reforms
Abdullah bin Touq reviewed recent UAE economic policies aimed at strengthening the business climate and attracting investment into new-economy sectors. He outlined steps the UAE has taken to enhance legislative competitiveness, promote open markets and position the country as a regional hub for business and innovation. The minister said these reforms, coupled with targeted incentives in free zones and sector-specific initiatives, make the UAE an attractive destination for Omani companies and joint projects.
The meeting also addressed coordination between regulatory frameworks and the role of special economic zones in facilitating cross-border investments. Both delegations discussed ways free zones can serve as platforms for joint manufacturing, logistics hubs and value-added services that support broader Gulf Cooperation Council integration. They agreed to maintain open lines of communication and to set up follow-up mechanisms to monitor progress on agreed initiatives.
The officials emphasized that enhanced UAE-Oman economic cooperation is intended to support sustainable development outcomes in both countries. By expanding trade channels, encouraging private sector partnerships and streamlining logistics, the two governments aim to boost employment, diversify economic activity and strengthen regional economic stability. Participants committed to translating strategic dialogue into actionable programs that will be tracked through bilateral working groups.
Looking ahead, UAE and Omani authorities said they will prioritize practical steps to convert discussions into investment pipelines, including sector-specific task forces and business delegations. Both sides expressed readiness to accelerate approvals for projects of mutual interest and to explore incentives that encourage joint ventures in industries such as food processing, renewable energy, transport and advanced manufacturing. The tone of the meeting signalled a clear intent to move from dialogue to delivery in the months to come.
The Abu Dhabi talks reaffirmed longstanding ties and set out a cooperative roadmap for economic partnership between the UAE and Oman. With a focus on targeted sectors, private-sector integration and trade facilitation, the two countries signalled a shared ambition to deepen their economic relationship and to harness it as a driver of sustainable growth.
