Muscat:Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef, Chairman of the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ), held a meeting with Sahib Saifnazarov, Head of the Department of Free Zones and Special Economic Zones at the Ministry of Investments, Industry and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Saifnazarov is currently visiting the Sultanate of Oman.
According to Oman News Agency, the meeting aimed to enhance investment cooperation between Oman and Uzbekistan in special economic zones and free zones. The discussions focused on encouraging export-oriented projects, exchanging expertise in economic zone management, and improving services for investors.
The two sides aimed to convert prior recommendations into concrete projects and initiatives by developing a joint roadmap to define cooperation priorities and forming a joint working group. The discussions also explored encouraging Uzbek companies to establish projects in production, manufacturing, and logistics sectors within OPAZ's oversight and advising Omani investors on opportunities in Uzbekistan's economic zones.
The meeting considered establishing trade, distribution, and logistics centers to facilitate the flow of Uzbek products into Oman. It also discussed linking these centers with logistics hubs in Uzbekistan to support product access to regional and international markets. Streamlining investment procedures through "single-window" services and developing institutional capacities and human resources through training programs were also part of the dialogue.
Additionally, the two sides reviewed a proposed draft memorandum of understanding (MoU) to formalize bilateral cooperation.