More than 100 companies and top experts will participate and discuss Oman’s strategic economic plan at  Meed's Outlook Oman Forum next week, in Muscat, a senior official was quoted as saying.

The event will take place from October 24, at the Shangri-La Hotel.

During his keynote address at the event, Dr Ali Al Sunaidy, Oman’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, will outline the sectors where the government are prioritising for investment opportunities through public-private-partnerships (PPP) and finance raised from the local and international banking market, said a statement.

“This is timely conference that will bring together key stakeholders in the public and private sector to discuss and facilitate investment opportunities that will progress the sultanate from an infrastructure and economic development point of view,” said Al Sunaidy.

He will be supported by Central Bank of Oman’s executive president Hamood Al Zadjali and more than 25 other speakers and panellists representing the government and business sector, it said.

As Oman enters its ninth five-year plan, a key indicator of the Vision 2020 programme’s achievement will be the launch of projects prioritised to achieve the goal of economic diversification. With several projects in the pipeline, Muscat is focused on establishing the public-private-partnership (PPP) framework to solve the funding challenge and attract much-needed investment, it added.

The forum will discuss these seminal developments in detail and examine plans for further expansions in Oman’s power and water production capacity and its domestic transport and telecommunications infrastructure.

The one-day programme will also take a look at initiatives to boost tourism, including the opening of the new terminal at Muscat International Airport this year and the expansion of Oman Air’s global network.

Packed into a single day, the forum has designed an agenda to provide a complete outlook of the $209 billion projects market with speakers lined up to discuss Oman’s progress and plans for its non-oil manufacturing and service industries, housing and real estate projects and further expansions in education and healthcare, it stated.

“This is one of the most important conferences MEED has ever held” says Richard Thompson, editorial director at MEED.

“In common with all oil producing countries, Oman is facing major economic challenges. Al Sunaidy is driving an ambitious economic reform programme in response. It will touch every aspect of business in the Sultanate and we are honoured and privileged to have his support in this important event,” he added.

The forum is sponsored by Parsons (Networking Sponsor), Trowers & Hamlins (Bronze Sponsor), it added. – TradeArabia News Service