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Excellent Prospects for Broader Saudi-Omani Economic Cooperation, Integration

Saudi and Omani business sectors look forward to a qualitative leap in economic integration and trade and investment cooperation (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi and Omani business sectors look forward to a qualitative leap in economic integration and trade and investment cooperation (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Excellent Prospects for Broader Saudi-Omani Economic Cooperation, Integration

Saudi and Omani business sectors look forward to a qualitative leap in economic integration and trade and investment cooperation (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi and Omani business sectors look forward to a qualitative leap in economic integration and trade and investment cooperation (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia and Oman are on track towards greater commercial, investment, and economic cooperation and integration, especially in strategic sectors, industrial cities, logistics, renewable energy, and petrochemical manufactures, Omani and Saudi business sector experts predicted.

Oman’s ruler, Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, will be arriving in Saudi Arabia on Sunday for a two-day official visit and a summit with Saudi King Salman in the northwestern mega-city of Neom.

It is noteworthy that this visit is the Omani ruler’s first since being appointed as Sultan back in January and is set to produce a qualitative leap to boost cooperation and reinforce bilateral ties between the Kingdom and Sultanate.

Experts from both sides have called for formulating common visions and an annual work plan that includes specific objectives for raising the volume of trade and investment exchanges between the two countries.

Each of the Saudi-Omani Business Council (SOBC) and the Federation of Saudi Chambers (FSC) stated that the high-level visit reveals the depth of relations between the Kingdom and the Sultanate.

They also noted that economic cooperation would top the visit’s agenda given its significance to Saudi Arabia’s “Vision 2030” and Oman’s “Vision 2040.”

For his part, Saudi Commerce Minister Majid Al-Qasabi reasserted the depth and strength of Saudi-Omani bilateral relations across all fields, especially in the commercial domain, which currently is experiencing remarkable developments due to the ambitious visions of the two countries.

The two countries aim to raise their bilateral trade exchange volume, which reached over SAR58.6bn during the past six years (2015-2020), Al-Qasabi said.

He also stressed that the two sides are keen to consolidate cooperation through the SOBC to translate investment opportunities into tangible partnerships.

The SOBC is working to enhance joint work between Saudi Arabia and Oman to realize the grand ambitions leaderships have in both countries, the head of the SOBC, Nasser Bin Said Al-Hajiri, confirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat.

Moreover, Al-Hajiri revealed that the SOBC is working on enhancing available opportunities, raising the exchange of visits for governmental, commercial, and investment delegations, and boosting cooperation between research and study centers in the two countries.

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Digital Marketing Emerges as Engine of Economic Efficiency

Digital Marketing Emerges as Engine of Economic Efficiency
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Digital Marketing Emerges as Engine of Economic Efficiency

Digital Marketing Emerges as Engine of Economic Efficiency

In an era increasingly defined by data and rapid technological transformation, digital marketing has evolved from a simple promotional tool into a core driver of economic productivity. Experts say the discipline is reshaping business models by enabling precise targeting, reducing waste, and maximizing returns.

Financial and economic advisor Dr. Hussein Al-Attas told Asharq Al-Awsat that digital marketing is now an economic necessity rather than a luxury. “Digital transformation has become a key lever for productivity and return on investment,” he said, noting that analytics and artificial intelligence are redefining the rules of competition.

According to Al-Attas, the shift from broad-based marketing to highly personalized campaigns has allowed companies to forecast demand with greater accuracy, cut unnecessary costs, and accelerate sales cycles. He emphasized that this transformation offers smaller firms a chance to compete with major players by reaching their target audiences more efficiently and experimenting in new markets without heavy infrastructure spending.

“Today, the market value of a company is measured not just by its products but by the depth and quality of its data,” Al-Attas added, predicting that AI and predictive analytics will continue to revolutionize marketing by automating content, refining targeting, and driving higher returns. He also stressed the importance of respecting data ethics to build consumer trust and long-term growth.

Economic analyst Rowan bin Rabeean echoed these views, describing digital marketing as a true driver of productivity and economic expansion. She explained that the shift to real-time analytics has fundamentally changed supply and demand dynamics, as companies no longer rely on historical estimates but react to live market signals.

Bin Rabeean said that in today’s digital economy, smaller enterprises are finding unprecedented opportunities to expand their reach and enhance competitiveness. Affordable tools such as social media campaigns and search engine optimization allow them to reach customers more effectively than traditional channels ever could.

Looking ahead, she predicted that AI-powered marketing will help businesses anticipate customer needs before they are even expressed, driving smarter, faster decisions and elevating economic efficiency overall.

Bin Rabeean concluded that in this new landscape, those who own and understand data will hold the competitive advantage. However, she emphasized the growing imperative to protect consumer privacy alongside the rise of data-driven business models.