Fifteen Omani companies are expected in Kigali on Tuesday for a business forum aimed at expanding trade and investment ties between Oman and Rwanda, as the Gulf country seeks to increase its access to East African markets.
The forum, organised by Oman’s Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, will bring together Omani firms and Rwandan businesses for discussions on export opportunities, distribution and potential commercial partnerships.
The Omani delegation will be led by Ghalib Said Al Maamari, the ministry’s Undersecretary for Commerce and Industry. It will also include Khamis Mohammed Al Shammakhi, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, alongside government officials and company representatives.
The participating firms operate in sectors including food processing, agriculture, manufacturing, plastics, energy, technology, technical services and electrical equipment.
Bilateral meetings will give the companies an opportunity to assess demand in Rwanda, understand the country’s regulatory and logistical requirements, and identify potential local partners. The discussions will also examine how Omani businesses could use Rwanda as a base for reaching other East African markets, including Kenya and Tanzania.
Al Maamari said the forum was part of Oman’s efforts to deepen economic relations with African countries, diversify its trading partners and expand markets for Omani exports.
He said Rwanda offered opportunities in several productive and service sectors, adding that the ministry wanted to help Omani businesses establish direct links with potential partners and turn discussions into long-term trade and investment relationships.
Muhanad Hamoud Al Riyamy, a senior specialist in foreign trade development at the ministry, said the event would help Omani companies identify opportunities in African markets and reach new groups of consumers.
Madayn Mubarak Al Balushi, head of the ministry’s Export Development Department, said the “Oman Exports” programme supports companies seeking to enter foreign markets through trade missions, bilateral meetings, international exhibitions and access to market information.
The forum follows a series of agreements signed by Rwanda and Oman in September covering trade cooperation, investment promotion, agriculture, logistics and other areas. The two countries also agreed to establish a joint business council to support commercial ties.
The Kigali meeting is expected to give businesses from both countries an opportunity to identify practical areas of cooperation.
