In statements to the Middle East News Agency (MENA) on Saturday, Ambassador Al-Rahbi explained that the MoUs will be for cooperation in the fields of education, judiciary, archives, heritage, transportation, aviation and taxation.

In 2022, the two countries signed nine MoUs for cooperation in various fields during President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi’s visit to Muscat, which was his first visit to the Arab Gulf nation since Sultan Haitham ascended to the throne in 2020.

Ambassador Al-Rahbi added that a high-ranking political and economic delegation will accompany Sultan Haitham in his visit.

On Thursday, the Omani Diwan of Royal Court issued a statement saying the visit, which comes upon an invitation of President El-Sisi, “reflects the keenness of the two leaderships to enhance joint ties and is a continuation of the historical relations binding the Sultanate of Oman and Egypt.”

“Sultan’s Haitham’s visit to Egypt comes at a critical time, especially after the Arab Summit in Jeddah on Friday, and amid major changes in the world,  and particularly in Arab-Arab relations, especially after the return of Syria to the Arab League (AL),” stressed Ambassador Al-Rahbi, who also serves as the permanent representative of his country to the AL in Cairo.

Al-Rahbi added that a meeting will be held on the sidelines of Sultan Haitham’s visit, which will comprise the finance and trade ministers of both countries as well as the head of Oman Investment Authority along with Egyptian businessmen, to explore investment opportunities in Oman under the investment roadmap adopted by the sultanate in 2021.

Growing relations

Egyptian-Omani trade and investment relations have been growing in recent years.

Trade exchange between the two countries increased by 64 percent in 2022, reaching $1.1 billion up from $650 million in 2021, according to the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics.

Meanwhile, Omani investments in Egypt recorded $77.5 million through 92 companies working in the fields of industry, tourism, construction and agriculture, according to figures released by the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

On the other hand, Egyptian investments in Oman recorded $680 million through 142 companies working in the fields of infrastructure, road projects and real estate investment.

In November 2022, Egypt held a major event at National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation to celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, coinciding with Oman’s 52nd National Day.

The number of Egyptians who live and work in the 4.5-million-strong Arab Gulf nation is estimated at 65,000.