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 Giga-project Diriyah Agrees Deals Worth $1 bln with European Firms, Says CEO

Jerry Inzerillo, Group CEO of the Diriyah Gate Authority reacts during the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, April 28, 2024. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/File Photo
Jerry Inzerillo, Group CEO of the Diriyah Gate Authority reacts during the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, April 28, 2024. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/File Photo
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Saudi Giga-project Diriyah Agrees Deals Worth $1 bln with European Firms, Says CEO

Jerry Inzerillo, Group CEO of the Diriyah Gate Authority reacts during the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, April 28, 2024. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/File Photo
Jerry Inzerillo, Group CEO of the Diriyah Gate Authority reacts during the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, April 28, 2024. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/File Photo

Diriyah, one of Saudi Arabia's giga-projects, has agreed deals worth nearly $1 billion with European firms and is in talks to attract more foreign capital, its CEO said.

Diriyah, located at a UNESCO World Heritage site outside the capital Riyadh, has been backed by PIF investments worth a total of around 20 billion riyals ($5.33 billion) in 2023 and 2024, and should get 12 billion riyals more next year, its CEO said.

It has recently agreed deals worth nearly $1 billion in total with an Italian developer and a French company and is in talks with several foreign investors looking to buy equity stakes in hotels and other real estate developments, Jerry Inzerillo told Reuters in New York this week.

"There's a lot of interest from America, a lot of interest from every country," he said. "We'll work with any country that can deliver quality and stay on time."

Foreign investors have already bought stakes in several projects in Diriyah, said Inzerillo, with more to come.

"A lot of people can see that it's built, it's doable; it's no longer renderings, no longer 'you wait and see' ... So now we're seeing a big spike in interest in foreign investment".

Inzerillo said investment priorities have changed because of upcoming events such as the Expo 2030 world fair, which Riyadh last year won the right to host. But the pace and scope of the Saudi giga-projects have not been scaled back, he said.

"It's a realignment, a re-prioritization ... not a reduction," he added.