Oman is an ideal investment destination: CBO chief- The Investment Exhibition and Businessmen Forum was opened at the Oman International Exhibition Centre yesterday under the auspices of Hamoud bin Sangour al Zadjali, Executive President of the Central Bank of Oman (CBO).

 The three-day event, is being organised by Al Ghaith International Exhibitions Company.

A number of investment companies, financial institutions, banks and real estate investment companies from the Sultanate are taking part in the exhibition. After the opening ceremony, the Executive President of the Central Bank of Oman said that the exhibition aims at luring local and foreign investment to the Sultanate. He affirmed that the Sultanate's investments infrastructure is inducive for investment and that the laws and regulations promulgated by the Sultanate encourage investments.

He also pointed out that the government in collaboration with the private sector is implementing some mega projects that will add momentum to the government’s policy towards diversification of the national economy and supporting some industrial, tourism and real estate sectors. He said that the exhibition which includes all aspects related to the investment shows areas of investment in the Sultanate.

Al Zadjali stated that there are some sectors, which support investment, such as banks. The Sultanate has strong and sound banking sector capable of meeting the investors' needs. Moreover, Muscat Securities Market (MSM) is one of the attractive stock markets for investors and hopefully more companies will offer their shares and bonds at MSM, he added.

He said the Omani banks enjoy good liquidity, therefore should be utilised in the different sectors in the Sultanate. The Omani banks, which are ready to finance the serious projects, needs investors and borrowers to invest in the surplus liquidity with them. For his part, Mohammed bin Samhan al Kathiri, General Manager of the organising company said that the exhibition is a new platform for investing the relationship and co-operation between the Omani companies and their international counterparts, especially the Sultanate enjoys investment friendly climate, has an attractive investment potential, as well as sound policies laid by the government, which encourage trade and investment.

He added that the exhibition is a good platform for companies taking part at the exhibition to showcase their projects and services in this field in the Sultanate. The exhibition is also a good opportunity for meetings between Omani businessmen and their counterparts to open new horizons of joint co-operation and benefit from the experience of these companies in local and foreign markets. It will also provide visitors with the opportunity to have a good idea on how to invest their funds and make the maximum benefit of them.

He also pointed out that the Sultanate enjoys a good investment climate and comes at the foremost of the Gulf countries. The Sultanate is moving to become a hub for world investment. He added that the organisation of this exhibition comes amidst the growing interest by investors in the stock market after a number of Gulf investors directed their investment to the Sultanate and abroad. The exhibition serves as the contact link between investors, banks, finance companies, businessmen and small investors. A number of investment companies, banks, real estate investment companies from within and outside the Sultanate will take part in the exhibition. — ONA