Oman Determined to Invest in Iran’s Chabahar Port

In his Friday meeting with Rahmani, al Fatisi voiced readiness of his country for investing in Chabahar development projects, and emphasized the importance of being active in the maritime field.

The Omani side pointed to the brotherly and friendly relationship between Iran and Oman and emphasized on the need to strengthen transportation and infrastructural cooperation as well as presenting facilities in line with promoting bilateral trade volume.  

Development of relationship with neighbors especially Islamic Republic of Iran is the main policy of Omani government, he said, adding, “We welcome any strategy for promoting and developing bilateral relationship warmly.”

The Omani minister referred to the infrastructural facilities of his country in the field of launching air and sea transport lines and stated, “Now, air routes have been established between the two countries and it is necessary that trade and business activists should boost their activities in maritime field.”

For his part, Rahmani, said, “Activating Ashgabat Agreement and cooperation of Oman in North-South Corridor with the aim of using port and rail capacities between the two countries as well as accessing Central Asian market have been considered as one of the main objectives behind development and promotion of bilateral relationship.”

The Iranian minister pointed to the high potentials and capacities of Iranian cities including Chabahar and Bandar Abbas and added, “Islamic Republic of Iran attaches great importance to its relations with neighbors, so that the country thinks to this issue as a win-win and strategic tie.”

Earlier on the day, Rahmani, in a meeting with Omani businessmen, exchanged views on the problems on the path for increasing trade between the two countries, and pledged to further ease the situation for the merchants of both sides.

Rahmani, visited industrial town of "Al-Rasil" and delivered speech in a gathering of Omani businessmen and directors at the venue of the two countries’ chamber of commerce on Thursday, reassuring that the path for commercial interactions between the countries will be further paved.

In the meeting, the issues discussed were possibilities, capacities, existing problems and obstacles in the way of continuation of mutual cooperation.

The Iranian minister had a 3-hour meeting with Iranian businessmen residing in Oman in the venue of Iran's embassy and considered their requests and problems.

Iran's Ambassador to Muscat Nouri Shahroudi as well as an accompanying delegation were present in the meeting as well.

Rahmani, who arrived in Oman on Tuesday evening at the head of a high ranking delegation, met on Wednesday with Omani minister of Transportation and Communication as well as the Arab country’s minister of Industries and Trade.

Late in October, Tehran and Masqat announced that they are eager to boost their trade ties up to $1bln.

"The volume of trade exchanges between the two countries are expected raise to $1bln by the end of this year," Head of Iran-Oman joint chamber of commerce Mohsen Zarrabi told FNA on October 28.

He also added that the volume of Iran's exports to Oman had increased by 57% in the first six months of the Iranian year of 1397 (March 21, 2018- August 20, 2019) compared with the corresponding period in 2017.

Zarrabi said that imports of goods from Oman to Iran have also shown a 264% increase in the past six months of the current year.

Iran and Oman have had good economic relations from old times and the ties have even expanded in recent years due to extended bank cooperation between the two countries.