Hi FM

Listen
On Air James Hall Nelly, Kelly Rowland - Dilemma

British Omani Society hosts high-level talks on trade cooperation

Saturday, 5 July 2025 21:51

London, UK – The British Omani Society (BOS), in collaboration with the Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman in London, hosted a high-level panel discussion and networking reception on Thursday to explore strategic business opportunities between the United Kingdom and Oman. Held at BOS headquarters in Mayfair, the event brought together senior officials and private […]

London, UK – The British Omani Society (BOS), in collaboration with the Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman in London, hosted a high-level panel discussion and networking reception on Thursday to explore strategic business opportunities between the United Kingdom and Oman.

Held at BOS headquarters in Mayfair, the event brought together senior officials and private sector leaders from both countries. It came at a pivotal moment in the ongoing UK-GCC Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, offering a platform to reaffirm Oman’s position as a stable and growing destination for trade and investment.

Richard Stanford, Chair of BOS, opened the evening with a welcome address outlining the society’s role in fostering bilateral engagement. The panel discussion was led by Pankaj Khimji, Adviser for Foreign Trade and International Cooperation at Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, who provided an overview of Oman’s foreign trade priorities.

Other panellists included Sir Philip Barton, former Permanent Undersecretary at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and Chris Breeze, Managing Director of Ellipse Projects UK and Chair of the BOS Business Subcommittee. The session was moderated by Stanford and focused on opportunities for deeper bilateral cooperation across trade, infrastructure and innovation.

Stanford said the discussions highlighted “the growing momentum in UK-Oman trade relations and the shared ambition to deepen this economic cooperation through mutual investment”. He noted that the long-standing ties between the two countries continue to provide a strong foundation for future collaboration.

Following the panel, guests attended the BOS Summer Business Reception, co-hosted by Omani British Society, which is chaired by Saleh Zakwani. Khimji and Tom Wintle, UK Chief Negotiator for the GCC Free Trade Agreement, addressed the gathering as Guests of Honour.

The event was attended by the ambassadors of both countries, senior government officials, and representatives from a wide range of industries in the UK and Oman. Discussions throughout the evening reflected a shared commitment to identifying new opportunities for cooperation, innovation and sustainable growth.

Share

More from Muscat Daily Oman News

  • Manga exhibition open at OSFA till July 22

    Muscat – A travelling Japanese art exhibition, titled Hokusai Manga: Approaching the Master’s Compendium from the Perspective of Contemporary Comics, is running in Muscat till July 22 at Omani Society for Arts (OSFA). Organised by the Embassy of Japan in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, and supported by OSFA, the exhibition […]

  • Rummana returns to Jabal Akhdar to boost sustainable agritourism

    Jabal Akhdar – The third edition of Rummana, an event blending agritourism with cultural and family-oriented activities, has kicked off at Janaen Farm in the Saih Qatnah area of Jabal Akhdar. Running from July 4 to September 27, the festival forms part of broader efforts to promote sustainable tourism in Oman’s interior regions. Jointly organised […]

  • Rise in farm fires amid summer heat; CDAA urges caution

    Muscat – Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority (CDAA) has reported a rise in farm fires across the sultanate in 2024, warning that safety violations and extreme summer heat are contributing to growing risks for rural communities. According to the latest figures, 1,014 farm fires were recorded in 2024, an increase from 971 cases in 2023. […]

  • Adventure tourism in Oman grows with focus on safety and training

    Muscat – Oman’s adventure tourism sector is expanding steadily, drawing growing interest from international visitors as the sultanate leverages its natural landscape and heritage to support economic diversification under Oman Vision 2040, according to a Ministry of Heritage and Tourism (MHT) report. The ministry, in coordination with relevant authorities, is monitoring the sector’s development by […]

  • Rain and strong winds batter North Sharqiyah and Dakhliyah

    Nizwa – Moderate to heavy rains, accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms, struck several wilayats in Dakhliyah and North Sharqiyah on Friday, causing flash floods, power outages and infrastructure damage. Al Hamra and Bahla were among the hardest hit in Dakhliyah. Strong winds uprooted trees and damaged property, while power outages affected most areas from […]

  • Winner of Muscat Municipality Design Competition to be declared on Tuesday

    Muscat – The awards ceremony of Muscat Municipality Design Competition 2025 will take place under the patronage of H H Sayyid Dr Kamil Fahad al Said, Assistant Secretary-General at Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for Council of Ministers, on Tuesday. Launched by Muscat Municipality, the international competition aims to set a new benchmark in […]

FM
Online
App