A delegation of more than 100 Omani businessmen will visit Iran's Kish Island to explore investment opportunities and new avenues for the expansion of trade ties with the Islamic Republic, according to a senior Omani official.
"After the visit of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, we met the Iranian ambassador and decided to organise a trip to Kish with more than 100 Omani businessmen," Redha Juma Mohammed Ali Al Saleh, vice-chairman for administration and finance affairs at the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) said, Times of Oman reported on April 27.
The trip would likely take place in June, he added.
The Iranian president paid a visit to Muscat on March 12 and 13, during which a number of agreements, including a deal to export 10 billion cubic metres of gas per year from Iran to Oman, were signed. Also, Rouhani held a meeting with Iranian and Omani businessmen during his stay and urged the relaxation of investment regulations to enhance economic cooperation.
"We will be going on a ferry. We will go to Khasab first, and will take some businessmen from there with us," Al Saleh said.
Kish Island is part of Iran's Hormozgan Province and has free trade zone status. Major projects are being implemented on the tourist island to attract more domestic and foreign investment.
Commenting on Muscat-Tehran ties, the Omani official said, "We have very good relations with Iran, which are based on respect. We want to strengthen the relationship. Iranians are also interested in investing in Oman, and we have told them that they are always welcome." Relations between the two countries have always been good, but the Iranian president's visit gave a boost to bilateral ties, Al Saleh concluded.