Manila will host senior government officials, investors and business leaders from Oman and the Philippines this Sunday, July 26, as both countries seek to expand trade, attract investment and open new opportunities for business partnerships through the Oman–Philippines 3: Strategic Majlis.
Oman’s delegation will be led by His Excellency Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamoud Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister of Oman. Its composition signals the agenda: His Excellency Muneer Al Muneeri, Deputy President of Operations at the Oman Investment Authority, brings the Sultanate’s sovereign wealth fund to the table, while His Excellency Dr. Mahad bin Said bin Ali Baawain, Minister of Labour, oversees labor policy and employment conditions for Filipino workers in Oman. They are joined by His Excellency Nasser bin Said Al Manawri, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to the Republic of the Philippines, and representatives from public and private sector institutions.
The forum is expected to create new opportunities for Philippine exporters, tourism stakeholders, investors, technology companies, logistics providers and agribusinesses seeking to expand cooperation with Oman. Fisheries and agriculture open a route for Philippine seafood and tropical produce into a Gulf market that imports the bulk of its food and requires halal-compliant supply. Logistics and connectivity address the shipping and air links that currently route Philippine goods to the region indirectly. Tourism and technology are positioned as areas for joint ventures rather than one-way trade, and the presence of the Oman Investment Authority signals opportunities for two-way investment.
The forum will serve as a platform for:
- Enhancing economic ties. Delegates will explore ways to increase bilateral trade, attract investment and establish joint ventures in priority sectors.
- Fostering diplomatic relations. Both governments will reaffirm their commitment to constructive dialogue, peace, stability and shared regional and international interests.
- Driving innovation and collaboration. Participants will identify partnerships in emerging sectors, including technology, energy, fisheries, agriculture, logistics and transport.
“This Forum represents a historic turning point in the Philippine-Oman relationship. For decades, our bilateral bond was primarily defined by the thousands of Overseas Filipino Workers building livelihoods in Oman, but this institutionalized platform now channels decades of social goodwill to turn it into concrete investments,” said Her Excellency Noralyn Jubaira Baja, the Philippine Ambassador to Oman.
The forum reflects the evolution of bilateral relations – from a partnership historically anchored on labor mobility and people-to-people ties to one increasingly driven by trade, investment, innovation, and economic cooperation.
“Oman views the Oman–Philippines Strategic Majlis as an exceptional opportunity to further strengthen our robust and growing relationship with the Philippines,” said His Excellency Nasser bin Said Al Manawri, Oman’s Ambassador to the Philippines. “We look forward to constructive discussions that will pave the way for mutually beneficial collaboration and contribute to the prosperity of both nations.”
The forum will also unveil its official logo, developed by Brand Oman in collaboration with the Foreign Ministry, symbolizing shared growth, partnership and the expanding economic relationship between Oman and the Philippines.
The Oman–Philippines 3: Strategic Majlis follows the commemorative activity in Manila marking the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, attended by His Excellency Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamoud Al Busaidi.
As both countries enter a new chapter in their bilateral relations, the Oman-Philippines Strategic Majlis aims to transform decades of friendship into lasting economic partnerships that will benefit businesses, investors, and communities in both nations.
Further Information For Media Interest
About the Oman–Philippines Strategic Majlis: The Oman–Philippines Strategic Forum is a biennial high-level dialogue established to enhance cooperation across key sectors between the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of the Philippines. It serves as a platform for policymakers and business leaders to identify new opportunities and address matters of mutual interest.
About Brand Oman and Economic Diplomacy: Brand Oman works to enhance the Sultanate’s global image and promote its economic opportunities through strategic communication and branding initiatives. Its work on the Oman–Philippines Strategic Majlis logo supports Oman’s economic diplomacy agenda by helping create narratives that attract investment, foster trade and strengthen international partnerships.