Tuesday 06 / October / 2026
Astana: A number of ministers and officials affirmed that the visit of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik Al Said to the Republic of Kazakhstan marks an important milestone in the course of Omani-Kazakh relations, particularly as it witnessed the signing of 20 cooperation documents across various fields, reflecting the interest and mutual keenness to develop and elevate these relations in a manner that serves the common interests of the two countries and their peoples.
Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister, said in a statement to Oman News Agency (ONA) that the historic visit undertaken by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to the Republic of Kazakhstan marks the beginning of a pivotal phase in Omani-Kazakh relations, towards establishing a partnership in which economic interests are integrated with institutional cooperation and communication between the countries’ two peoples.
The minister added that Omani-Kazakh relations are founded upon a long-standing foundation of friendship and mutual respect, and that the Royal visit lends these relations a qualitative momentum to expand cooperation and transform available opportunities into sustainable projects and interests, thereby supporting the development and economic diversification priorities of both countries.
He explained that the strategic value of this partnership lies in the complementarity of capabilities. Kazakhstan's economic standing in Central Asia, together with the Sultanate of Oman's maritime location, ports and logistical infrastructure, affords opportunities to expand market access and develop the movement of trade and investment.
The minister indicated that cooperation in energy, minerals, renewable energy, tourism and services provides promising avenues for building partnerships that draw upon the resources and expertise enjoyed by both sides.
The Foreign Minister noted that the drive towards strengthening investment and financial frameworks, and developing joint financing instruments and investment protection, would provide a more firmly grounded and sustainable basis for projects between the two countries, and enhance investor confidence and their capacity to take long-term decisions.
He emphasised that strengthening the ties between the chambers of commerce and the two business communities constitutes a fundamental element of these efforts, enabling the private sector to play a broader role in discovering opportunities and developing them into commercial and productive partnerships.
He added that the cooperation to which the Sultanate of Oman and Kazakhstan aspire extends also to knowledge, capacity-building and the exchange of expertise in administration, public service, health, transport and diplomatic training, as well as culture and youth. He noted that these fields enhance the capacity of institutions to keep pace with development requirements and lend the relations a human depth that consolidates the closeness between the two countries’ friendly peoples.
On the political front, the minister affirmed that the visit allows for continued consultation on regional and international issues, and for building upon mutual respect for the sovereignty of states and support for peaceful solutions, thereby enhancing the prospects for understanding and cooperation in addressing common challenges.
The Foreign Minister concluded his statement by saying: "We look forward to this visit establishing a phase in which the partnership between the Sultanate of Oman and Kazakhstan broadens, and in which ambition is coupled with practical programmes and institutional follow-up. What we aspire to is that the investor finds broader opportunities, that our institutions acquire new expertise, and that Omani and Kazakh society alike feels the impact of this cooperation through the journey of growth and prosperity."
Abdulsalam bin Mohammed Al Murshidi, President of Oman Investment Authority (OIA), said in a statement to ONA that the investment partnership between the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Kazakhstan comes as a reflection of the growing relations between the two friendly countries, and as an embodiment of the role of investment in supporting economic diplomacy, for which Oman Investment Authority serves as the executive arm.
He expressed his aspiration, through the establishment of the joint investment fund and the agreements between the Authority's companies and their counterparts on the Kazakh side, to build strategic partnerships that achieve shared economic interests for both countries by broadening the horizons of cooperation in multiple promising sectors, particularly natural resources, manufacturing, food, healthcare, renewable energy, logistics services, tourism, mining and artificial intelligence. This would contribute to economic diversification efforts and open new horizons and pathways for Omani companies to transfer expertise and technologies in cooperation with our strategic partners in friendly countries.
Anwar bin Hilal Al Jabri, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, affirmed in a statement to ONA that the Agreement on the Reciprocal Promotion and Protection of Investments between the Government of the Sultanate of Oman and the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan represents an advanced strategic step in the course of economic and investment relations between the two friendly countries, and lays the foundation for a new phase of partnership based on trust and mutual interests, contributing to increased flows of quality investments and the expansion of cooperation between the two countries' business communities.
The minister said: "This agreement acquires particular importance amid the growing momentum witnessed by Omani-Kazakh relations, which has been reinforced by the Royal Visit and the important indications it carries regarding the depth of relations between the two countries, and the broader horizons it affords for elevating economic and investment cooperation to more advanced levels, and translating the distinguished relations into investment partnerships and projects of added value that serve the common interests."
He added that the agreement provides a clear legal and regulatory framework for encouraging and protecting the investments of investors from both countries, and enhances confidence, stability and transparency in the investment environment, thereby encouraging the private sector to explore available opportunities, enter into long-term partnerships, and benefit from the attributes and opportunities enjoyed by the economies of the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Kazakhstan.
He explained that the Sultanate of Oman looks forward to building upon the progress achieved in bilateral relations to expand cooperation with the Republic of Kazakhstan in priority sectors, and to benefit from the strategic location and the logistical and economic potential enjoyed by both countries in enhancing the movement of investment and trade and opening new pathways for the private sector to access regional and international markets.
The minister concluded his statement by affirming that the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion will work, in coordination with the relevant authorities, to build upon the outcomes of the Royal Visit and this agreement to transform available opportunities into tangible investment partnerships and projects, and to enhance communication between investors and private sector institutions in both countries, thereby supporting economic diversification and achieving the common interests of the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Faisal bin Abdullah Al Rowas, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), welcomed in a statement to ONA the signing of the agreement establishing the Omani-Kazakh Joint Business Council. He affirmed that this step represents a sustainable institutional framework for enhancing communication between the two business communities, raising awareness of available commercial and investment opportunities, and developing partnerships between companies in the two friendly countries.
He noted the keenness of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry to activate the role of the Council in cooperation with its counterparts and the relevant authorities in the Republic of Kazakhstan, through the organisation of business meetings, contributing to the development of trade and investment exchange and enhancing the role of the private sector in the course of economic cooperation between the two countries.
