Oman, a high-income country located in the Middle East and known for its rich oil reserves, is exploring investment opportunities in the Kingdom, the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) said on Thursday.
The CDC statement follows a visit by the Omani delegation to Cambodia last week, seeking to explore business and partnership opportunities here.
The delegation, which was headed by Nguyen Xuan Giao, Executive Director of the Vietnam-Oman Investment Agency, who held a meeting with Sar Shinira, Deputy Secretary-General of the Investment Committee of Cambodia within the CDC.
Welcoming the delegation, Sar Shinira highlighted the country’s favourable investment climate, which allows 100 percent foreign ownership in various sectors alongside offering significant incentives for investors.
“Cambodia and the Southeast Asian region remains one of the most favourable destinations for investment considering the geo-political tensions that have been spread across the Middle East.”
Giao appreciated the key role played by the CDC in attracting and boosting investments in the country. He said Omani businesses, both in the private and public sectors are keen on exploring the investment opportunities across Southeast Asia including Cambodia.
“There is a lot of interest among Omani businesses to invest in agriculture, food processing and green energy sectors. Many businesses are also interested in strategic partnerships with Cambodian business houses and individual firms.”
The discussion also focused on Cambodia’s judicial system, investment and other related laws.
The Oman Investment Authority (OIA) is the investment arm of the Gulf State, a sovereign wealth fund established in 2020, responsible for managing, investing, and developing the state’s assets both locally and internationally.
Its assets under management rose to nearly $50 billion in 2023, from $46.8 billion in the previous year. The sovereign fund also posted $4.4 billion in profit in 2023, up from $3.6 billion in 2022.
The OIA has been actively investing in Southeast Asia, particularly in infrastructure, logistics, and technology, using funds generated from the Omani government’s oil revenues.
Vietnam-Oman Investment Agency was established in the year 2008. It is an important joint venture between the OIA, and the State Capital Investment Corporation of Vietnam (SCIC).
Cambodia’s investment landscape remains vibrant, with 414 projects valued at over $6.8 billion approved in 2024. In the first two months of 2025, there have already been 112 new investment projects approved, worth approximately $1.069 billion. The Royal Government continues to encourage foreign investment to ensure sustainable economic growth.
With Qatar Airways and Emirates starting operations between Phnom Penh and Middle Eastern cities along with Turkish Airlines planning to launch services, the connectivity is more than ever.
And this is expected to bring more tourists and business travellers from the Middle East region to the Kingdom.
