Wednesday 11 / November / 2026
GENEVA: The Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Investment Promotion Sector at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, has won the 2026 Award for Investment-Ready Projects, Partnerships & Facilitation Excellence, presented by the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA) in partnership with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group.
The award was presented during the 30th World Investment Conference, held in Geneva, Switzerland, from 10 to 12 November 2026.
This year's conference holds particular significance as it marks three decades of international cooperation in investment promotion. WAIPA was established in Geneva in 1995 and celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2025.
The IsDB Group–WAIPA Investment Excellence Awards 2026 comprise two main categories: the Award for Outstanding Sustainable Investment Project and the Award for Investment-Ready Projects, Partnerships & Facilitation Excellence, which was awarded to the Sultanate of Oman.
The latter category recognises investment promotion agencies that demonstrate excellence in developing investment-ready projects and opportunities, building effective partnerships and coordinating efforts among relevant stakeholders. It also acknowledges achievements in investor targeting, investment facilitation and advancing opportunities towards implementation, thereby supporting economic growth and sustainable development.
Oman's achievement reflects international recognition of its efforts to strengthen the investment promotion ecosystem, enhance institutional efficiency and promote integration between government entities and the private sector.
It also highlights the adoption of an integrated approach to identifying, assessing, developing and preparing promising investment opportunities, strengthening their ability to attract high-quality investments and become value-added projects that contribute to the national economy.
H.E. Ibtisam bint Ahmed Al-Farooji, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion for Investment Promotion, affirmed that Oman's success in winning the award reflects the progress achieved in the investment promotion ecosystem and the development of institutional working methodologies.
She highlighted the importance of partnership and coordination between government entities and the private sector in enhancing the investment environment and strengthening Oman's competitiveness in attracting high-quality investments.
Her Excellency explained that this international recognition crowns ongoing efforts to develop the investment promotion ecosystem and move beyond traditional promotional approaches towards an integrated institutional model.
This model focuses on identifying promising investment opportunities in cooperation with relevant entities, assessing their potential, and developing and structuring them through clearly defined methodologies to enhance their investment readiness and highlight their competitive advantages to prospective investors.
She noted that developing investment opportunities extends beyond preparing and presenting projects. It involves assessing the needs of economic sectors, identifying promising areas for growth and expansion, and working with relevant authorities to complete the necessary data and requirements.
This approach ensures that investors are presented with comprehensive, well-documented opportunities that enable them to assess projects and make informed investment decisions.
Her Excellency added that the role of Invest in Oman includes promoting investment opportunities, targeting prospective investors and building investment relationships and partnerships.
It also encompasses facilitating the investor journey in coordination with relevant entities, monitoring project progress and providing the necessary support throughout the establishment, implementation and operational stages.
She concluded by emphasising that this approach enhances the quality and readiness of investment opportunities and ensures their alignment with national economic priorities.
This contributes to attracting high-quality, sustainable investments, supporting economic diversification, increasing In-Country Value (ICV), creating employment opportunities, facilitating knowledge and technology transfer, and expanding the productive base of the Omani economy.
The achievement also reflects the operating model adopted by the Investment Promotion Sector through Invest in Oman, which focuses on developing investment opportunities in coordination with government entities and relevant institutions.
The process begins with identifying promising sectors and areas of investment, assessing available resources and potential, and developing and structuring opportunities while defining their requirements and competitive advantages.
These opportunities are subsequently presented and promoted through the Invest in Oman platform, alongside targeted investor engagement and investment facilitation services.
In this context, the portfolio of investment opportunities developed and structured by the sector, currently available through the Invest in Oman platform, comprises 62 investment opportunities across eight economic sectors, led by manufacturing, food security and tourism.
The portfolio reflects ongoing efforts to develop clearly defined investment opportunities supported by essential information, enabling investors to assess their potential and make informed decisions while increasing the prospects of transforming these opportunities into implementable projects.
Oman's Participation in the Conference
As part of its participation in the conference, the Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion and the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ), took part in several high-level sessions and discussions addressing the future of global investment, international partnerships, and policies and competitive advantages that support the attraction of high-quality investments.
H.E. Ibtisam bint Ahmed Al-Farouji, Undersecretary for Investment Promotion, participated in the Ministerial Roundtable: The Next Decade of Global Investment, which examined future trends in global investment and priorities for investment policy and promotion over the coming ten years.
H.E. Eng. Ahmed bin Hassan Al Dheeb, Deputy Chairman of the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones, participated in Global Leaders Platform II: The New Investment-Development Compact, which explored ways to balance competitiveness and sustainability while strengthening the role of investment in economic development.
He also participated in specialised sessions addressing investment incentives and the future of business in economic and free zones.
As part of Oman's participation, the Arab Swiss Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in cooperation with OPAZ, organised a session highlighting the strategic importance of the Special Economic Zone at Duqm amid global economic and geopolitical developments.
Discussions also explored opportunities to strengthen investment and trade cooperation with international companies and institutions.
During the conference, Oman showcased the competitive advantages and investment opportunities offered by its special economic zones, free zones and industrial cities, particularly in renewable energy equipment manufacturing, low-carbon steel, and food and fishery industries.
The presentations also highlighted the importance of infrastructure, logistics services and institutional coordination in creating an attractive environment for high-quality investments, supporting economic diversification and strengthening Oman's competitiveness as an investment destination.
H.E. Eng. Ahmed bin Hassan Al Dheeb emphasised that infrastructure, clear approval procedures and access to international markets are fundamental factors in attracting investors.
"Investors need to know when electricity and water will be available, which approvals are required and when they can begin production. Our responsibility is to coordinate with the relevant entities, enabling companies to plan their investments and fulfil their commitments to customers," he said.
His Excellency also stressed the importance of developing local suppliers and national talent alongside investment projects.
"When a factory begins production, Omani companies should be ready to supply its requirements, and graduates should have the skills needed to operate its technologies. This preparation must begin during the investment project development stage," he explained.
Investment indicators across Oman's special economic zones, free zones and industrial cities demonstrate the scale of ongoing efforts to attract investment and develop projects.
Total committed investments in areas overseen by OPAZ reached approximately OMR 25.6 billion, while 325 new investment agreements were signed during the first half of 2026.
The Authority oversees 24 economic, free and industrial zones, comprising 16 existing zones and eight under development.
These developments strengthen the contribution of economic zones to diversification efforts and the expansion of the national economy's productive base.
Three Decades of International Investment Cooperation
The World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA) is an international organisation dedicated to supporting investment promotion agencies and strengthening cooperation among them.
Its membership includes investment promotion agencies and authorities from more than 110 countries, providing a platform for exchanging expertise, developing institutional capabilities and promoting international best practices in attracting and facilitating foreign direct investment (FDI).
Established in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1995, WAIPA celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2025.
The 2026 World Investment Conference marks the 30th edition of the international event, bringing together investment promotion leaders, policymakers, investors, international institutions and private-sector representatives to discuss challenges and opportunities associated with global investment flows and partnerships for sustainable development.
The Sultanate of Oman, represented by Invest in Oman, officially joined WAIPA on 16 October 2024, strengthening its participation in an international network specialising in investment promotion.
This membership supports the expansion of Oman's international partnerships and provides opportunities to benefit from global expertise and best practices in developing its investment promotion ecosystem.
The international award further affirms Oman's continued commitment to developing its investment ecosystem and strengthening its presence at international economic forums through institutional partnerships, investment opportunities built on clearly defined competitive advantages, and integrated services that facilitate the investor journey.
It also reflects the Sultanate's commitment to fostering an investment environment conducive to growth, in line with Oman Vision 2040, while reinforcing its position as an attractive destination for high-quality and sustainable investment.
