Monday 13 / April / 2026
Muscat: The first international conference on business sustainability, titled "Enhancing the Innovation and Investment Ecosystem in the Sultanate of Oman," commenced today.
The two-day event is being held under the auspices of Nasser Khamis Al Jashmi, Chairman of the Tax Authority, at the University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS) branch in Muscat in partnership with the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion.
The conference aligns with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040, which include supporting national efforts to strengthen the Sultanate of Oman’s position as a sustainable investment destination. The conference addresses several key themes, including Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), regulatory reforms, innovation, and long-term economic sustainability.
Dr. Khalid Salim Al Abri, Assistant Vice Chancellor of the University of Technology and Applied Sciences, stated in his speech that the scientific committee received 136 research papers, of which only 38 were selected, reflecting a high scientific standard and meticulous selectivity in content.
He added that the conference brings together a distinguished group of researchers and experts from seven different countries, a scene that reflects the depth of the international dimension and confirms that contemporary economic challenges require a cross-border dialogue based on the exchange of expertise and the integration of visions. He further noted that the conference’s adoption of a hybrid model, combining physical and virtual attendance, underscores its flexibility and broad impact.
He mentioned that the conference was designed to serve as a high-level platform for dialogue and integration, covering core themes that address a critical strategic question: How do we build a sustainable investment ecosystem capable of competing globally and qualified to lead economic transformation?
He emphasized the university's commitment to developing its postgraduate system, noting that the College of Economics and Business Administration offers specialized Master’s programs, most notably the MBA in Leadership and Innovation and the Master’s in Taxation. This step reflects a conscious response to labor market requirements and the needs of the current economic stage, while enhancing national competencies in vital fields directly linked to development and investment.
Regarding institutional achievements, Al Abri highlighted the qualitative progress made by the university’s Muscat branch in the field of research, noting that the number of scientific papers indexed in the Scopus database has exceeded 1,000. Approximately 30 percent of these papers focus on the fields of investment, economics, and business, indicating a clear alignment of scientific research with national priorities.
He added that the current academic year witnessed a qualitative leap in external research funding, which neared RO 500 thousand, alongside the support and funding of the scientific incubator in collaboration with the university’s partners from the industrial sector. This strategic move strengthens the link between knowledge and application and contributes to transforming scientific research into sustainable economic value.
The first day of the conference featured participation from several institutions, including Muscat Stock Exchange and the World Bank. Additionally, an accompanying exhibition showcasing a number of student projects was inaugurated.
