The Sultanate of Oman, representing the Investment Promotion sector of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, has won the 2026 Award for Investment-Ready Projects, Partnerships, and Investment Facilitation. This award was presented by the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA) along with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB).
Introduction of the Award and Importance of the Global Investment Conference
This award was granted to Oman during the 30th Global Investment Conference, which took place from November 10 to 12, 2026, in Geneva, Switzerland. This conference is considered a significant event in the field of international cooperation in promoting investment, especially this year due to the 30th anniversary of WAIPA's establishment.
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The 2026 Investment Excellence Awards, presented by IsDB and WAIPA, include two main categories: the Sustainable Investment Project Award and the Investment-Ready Projects, Partnerships, and Investment Facilitation Award, which was granted to Oman. This award is given to investment promotion entities that demonstrate excellence in developing projects and investment-ready opportunities, creating effective partnerships, and coordinating among relevant stakeholders.
Oman's Achievement and Integrated Approach to Investment Promotion
Oman's achievement reflects the international recognition of the country's efforts to strengthen the investment promotion ecosystem, enhance the efficiency of government entities, and promote integration between government and private sector entities. This success also emphasizes the adoption of an integrated approach in identifying, assessing, and developing promising investment opportunities.
The Undersecretary of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion for Investment Promotion, Ms. Ibtisam bint Ahmed Al-Frouji, emphasized that Oman's success in winning this award signifies progress in the investment promotion ecosystem and the development of institutional working methods. She highlighted the importance of partnership and coordination between government entities and the private sector in improving the investment environment and enhancing Oman's competitiveness in attracting quality investments.
Ms. Al-Frouji explained that this international recognition elevates ongoing efforts to develop the investment promotion ecosystem and takes steps beyond traditional promotion methods towards an integrated institutional model. This model emphasizes identifying promising investment opportunities in collaboration with relevant entities, assessing their potential, and developing and structuring them using specific methods.
She also added that developing investment opportunities goes beyond preparing and presenting projects; it includes assessing the needs of economic sectors, identifying promising areas for growth, and collaborating with relevant entities to complete necessary information and requirements. This approach ensures that investors are presented with comprehensive and documented opportunities that enable them to evaluate projects and make informed investment decisions.
In conclusion, Ms. Al-Frouji emphasized that the role of "Investment in Oman" includes promoting investment opportunities, targeting forward-looking investors, and establishing investment relationships and partnerships. This sector also involves facilitating the investor's journey in coordination with relevant entities, monitoring project progress, and providing necessary support throughout the establishment, implementation, and operational phases.
This approach has contributed to improving the quality and readiness of investment opportunities and ensures that these opportunities align with national economic priorities. This helps attract sustainable and quality investments, supports economic diversification, increases local content (ICV), creates job opportunities, facilitates knowledge and technology transfer, and expands the productive base of Oman's economy.
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