Egypt, Oman Discuss Boosting Trade, Investment

Ever Given, one of the world's largest container ships, is seen after sailing through Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt August 20, 2021. Suez Canal Authority/Handout via Reuters
Ever Given, one of the world's largest container ships, is seen after sailing through Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt August 20, 2021. Suez Canal Authority/Handout via Reuters
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Egypt, Oman Discuss Boosting Trade, Investment

Ever Given, one of the world's largest container ships, is seen after sailing through Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt August 20, 2021. Suez Canal Authority/Handout via Reuters
Ever Given, one of the world's largest container ships, is seen after sailing through Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt August 20, 2021. Suez Canal Authority/Handout via Reuters

Egypt's Trade and Industry Minister Nevine Gamea underlined the importance of benefiting from the Omani market for Egyptian exports to access the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and markets bound with Oman by free trade agreements.

Gamea met with Omani Trade and Industry Minister Qais bin Mohammed al-Yousef via video conference to boost trade, industrial, and investment cooperation between the two countries.

Yousef reiterated his country's hope to benefit from Egyptian expertise in the economic, trade, and investment domains. He underlined the importance of the Egyptian-Omani business council in boosting marketing and investment relations and achieving Oman's Vision 2040.

He stressed his country's keenness to benefit from Egyptian expertise in the e-commerce domain. He emphasized the importance of increasing joint investments within the coming period.

The minister pointed to the importance of increasing joint investments between the two countries during the next stage, especially since there are successful Egyptian investment experiences in Oman in tourism and retail trade.

According to a statement by the ministry, the Omani side invited the minister to visit Muscat during the first quarter of 2022, leading a delegation of businessmen to explore ways of economic, trade, and investment cooperation.

Gamea said intensive meetings would be held within the coming period between the two sides' officials and businessmen and holding the Egyptian-Omani business council and an investment forum.

She said the Omani products could also benefit from the Egyptian market to access Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) markets grouping 21 countries.



Saudi Arabia Sees 656% Surge in Leisure Tourism in 2024

File photo of Saudi flag/Asharq Al-Awsat
File photo of Saudi flag/Asharq Al-Awsat
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Saudi Arabia Sees 656% Surge in Leisure Tourism in 2024

File photo of Saudi flag/Asharq Al-Awsat
File photo of Saudi flag/Asharq Al-Awsat

The Saudi Ministry of Tourism said its sector, particularly the leisure and holiday segments, witnessed substantial growth, due in no small part to the Kingdom's Vision 2030 directives.
In a statement marking World Tourism Day, observed every year on September 27, the ministry said that the Kingdom welcomed 17.5 million international tourists between January and July 2024, a 10% increase over the same period in 2023 and a 73% increase compared to the 2019 figures, SPA reported.
Most striking is the 656% increase in the number of tourists arriving specifically for entertainment and holiday purpose. The ministry said that 4.2 million tourists arrived for these purposes in the first seven months of 2024, a 25% increase over the previous year and an enormous leap over pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
These impressive results highlight the success of the Kingdom's long-term tourism strategy, under Vision 2030, which seeks to transform Saudi Arabia into a global tourism destination. The Kingdom had set the goal of 100 million tourists by 2030, but achieved this milestone in 2023, seven years ahead of schedule.
Saudi Arabia was acknowledged as the fastest-growing G20 country in the latest UN World Tourism Barometer report. According to September report, Saudi Arabia leads both in the growth of international tourist numbers and in tourism revenues.
These figures underscore the Kingdom's strategic focus on developing a sustainable tourism sector, improving infrastructure, and promoting Saudi Arabia as a premier global destination.
The ministry's achievements reflect the effectiveness of these efforts and position the Kingdom as a key player in the field of global tourism.