A business seminar organised by the South African Embassy in Muscat on Thursday highlighted the need to tap business opportunities between the two countries, and enhance mutual visits to help translate those opportunities into business deals.Speaking at a seminar attended by South African and Omani businesspersons at Crowne Plaza Muscat, H E Maj Gen Lungile Chris Pepani, South African Ambassador to Oman, said that more South African investors will visit Oman in the future to strengthen trade relations.
H E Pepani said that a number of business delegations have been coming to Oman, following the visit of the South African president Jacob Zuma to Oman in November 2011.
He said, "In the past one year, we have seen a heavy inflow of South African business visitors to Oman. I am sure there are going to be many more business delegations to Oman in the near future; we are very serious about our ambitions in Oman."
H E Pepani also highlighted the similarities between South Africa and Oman, where both countries can benefit from increased cooperation.
"Both countries occupy very strategic geographical positions having access to big continents. South Africa has access to the Americas and to the East and the African continent. This presents a very strong case for Omani businesses to work closely with South African businesses. South Africa has a dynamic investment environment and offers many competitive advantages," H E Pepani said.He also added that both Oman and South Africa are focusing on the development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and infrastructure development and have opportunities to cooperate in these areas as well.
Ayman Abdullah Mohammed al Hasani, vice chairman and head of the Industry and Mining committee at OCCI, said, "Both sides are making sincere efforts to improve and upgrade bilateral trade relations. Oman enjoys lots of resources that make it a promising investment destination for foreign investors. In addition, the expansion of Oman's free zones has become an attraction for foreign investors, including South Africa," Hasani said.Hasani added that South Africa is rich in minerals and diamond mining, thus providing opportunities for Omani mining companies looking to invest in this area.
"South Africa also presents opportunities for Omani investors in agriculture, tourism, construction and other industries," he said.
