Turkish and Omani officials set $5B trade target at Muscat business forum

High-level economic talks between Türkiye and Oman have advanced at the OMNEX 2026 business forum in Muscat, with officials outlining concrete pathways to significantly deepen commercial ties. Turkish Deputy Trade Minister Sezai Uçarmak joined the co-chairs of the Türkiye-Oman Business Council for a panel discussion, part of the two-day event aimed at forging new partnerships. The dialogue focused on overcoming logistical challenges, leveraging Oman's strategic position, and collaborating in high-potential sectors like food, agriculture, and technology to reach a shared goal of $5 billion in bilateral trade.

Overcoming challenges for stronger sectoral cooperation

Deputy Minister Uçarmak acknowledged that certain geopolitical and logistical hurdles related to Türkiye's position persist but affirmed active efforts to resolve them. He identified a specific opportunity: "Improving land access from Türkiye to Oman could create a strong cooperation environment, particularly for the food and agriculture sectors." Stressing a philosophy of equitable partnership, Uçarmak noted, "We don’t aim for profit in all our relations, and we always strive for mechanisms that benefit both sides," framing the economic relationship within a broader context of strategic solidarity and shared development.

Oman positioned as a strategic gateway for Turkish business

Omani officials actively promoted their country's advantages to Turkish investors. Salim Abdullah Al Rawas, co-chair of the bilateral business council, highlighted the appeal of Oman's free zones and significant opportunities in industrial, tourism, trade, and information technology sectors. He positioned Oman as a critical hub, stating, "Oman serves as a gateway for Turkish companies and foreign investors to access large markets with its strategic geographical location and political stability." He expressed confidence that integration between Turkish and Omani firms would positively impact both economies and lead to more joint projects.

Building on momentum towards a $5 billion trade goal

The forum has generated substantial momentum, moving from panel discussions to practical business-to-business (B2B) meetings where deals are expected to be negotiated. Yunus Ete, the Turkish co-chair of the business council, confirmed the productive nature of the event so far. All parties underscored that existing strong political relations have already enabled numerous successful projects. The clear and ambitious benchmark for future success was set by Al Rawas, who urged collective effort: "We must work together to achieve the trade volume target of $5 billion." This goal signifies a mutual commitment to elevate the economic partnership to a new level, reflecting the growing importance of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) markets in Türkiye's foreign economic policy.