Oman Business Road Show to visit the United States

Road Show Will Highlight Oman's Role as Gateway to fast growing $92 Billion Gulf Market

WASHINGTON, Oct. 21, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- His Excellency Dr. Ali bin Masoud Al Sunaidy, Oman's Minister of Commerce and Industry (MOCI), will lead a high-level trade and investment road show to the United States on October 23 – 31, 2013.  The delegation will visit three cities and consists of over 40 business and government leaders, including Oman's Ambassador to the United States, Her Excellency Hunaina Al-Mughairy, and the U.S. Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman, the Honorable Greta C. Holtz.

"We are pleased and proud to bring this distinguished delegation to the United States to further develop trade and investment ties between the United State and Oman and explore specific sectors and opportunities to strengthen our vital economic relationship," said His Excellency Dr. Ali bin Masoud Al Sunaidy, Oman's Minister of Commerce and Industry. "Given the existing free trade agreement between the United States and Oman as well as Oman's business climate and ideal geographic position, it is important that we inform more American businesses of the advantages of doing business in Oman and using it as a hub to operate across the entire Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region."

The delegation will travel to Houston, Texas (October 23 – 24); Chicago, Illinois (October 25 – 28); and New York City (October 29 – 31). The National U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce (NUSACC) and its partners will organize events in each city to enhance Americans' understanding of business opportunities in Oman.   

The road show will have a list of distinguished speakers that will address the delegation and event attendees. In Houston the Honorable Andrew Card, will give welcoming remarks at the Business Briefing and Mr. Bob Harvey, will be the keynote speaker at the luncheon. The Honorable Ray LaHood will be the keynote speaker at the luncheon in Chicago. In New York City, the Honorable Robert Hormats will be the keynote speaker at the luncheon and Mr. Warren Struhl will be the morning speaker. 

The focus of the visit will be to highlight the positive investment, trade and cultural relationship between the United States and Oman and to promote the U.S.-Oman Free Trade Agreement.

The Sultanate of Oman and the United States of America concluded a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that came into force on January 1, 2009. Designed to promote trade and investment between these two long-time partners, the Oman – U.S. FTA provides preferential treatment, creating a comparative and competitive advantage over other countries. Research conducted by NUSACC forecasts that total Foreign Direct Investment in Oman is on track to reach $19.475 billion this year, and U.S. goods and services exports to Oman are on schedule to reach $4.5 billion by the year 2016. These trends suggest extraordinary potential for economic growth between these two important commercial partners.

Oman is a key U.S. Arabian Gulf trading partner and gateway to the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council. With 2012 purchasing power parity GDP of $92 billion and population of 3.3 million, the FTA with Oman is driving higher levels of trade and investment across all sectors of the economy.

LIST OF SPEAKERS WITH TITLES:        
The Honorable Andrew Card, former U.S. Secretary of Transportation and White House Chief of Staff
Mr. Bob Harvey, President and CEO of the Greater Houston Partnership
The Honorable Ray LaHood, former U.S. Secretary of Transportation
The Honorable Robert Hormats, former Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth,
Energy and the Environment, U.S. Department of State
Mr. Warren Struhl, Entrepreneur

For more information please visit http://www.omanroadshow.com

CONTACT: Joy Lutes
703-362-0150, [email protected]

SOURCE Oman Business Road Show