Muscat: Officials have highlighted the historical depth of Oman-Bahrain relations, which were established by the ancestors of both nations, in anticipation of the King of Bahrain’s visit to Oman on Tuesday.
King Hamad bin Issa Al Khalifa of Bahrain is set to embark on a state visit to the Sultanate of Oman today.
Juma Ahmed Al Kaabi, the Bahraini Ambassador to Oman, remarked that King Hamad's visit symbolizes the longstanding bilateral relations that have been nurtured over decades, rooted in the shared bonds of fraternity between the two nations.
“These fraternal ties trace back to the ancient civilizations of Dilmun in Bahrain and Magan in Oman, enriched by strategic, commercial, and cultural connections founded on friendship and kinship. Currently, our bilateral relations are flourishing, thanks to the royal guidance of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and His Majesty King Hamad bin Issa Al Khalifa, whose visionary leadership will further enhance and elevate these relations,” Al Kaabi stated.
In an interview with Oman News Agency (ONA), Al Kaabi noted that both countries align on key foreign policy principles, including neutrality, good neighborliness, non-interference in domestic affairs of other nations, and the importance of dialogue.
He further emphasized that Oman and Bahrain uphold shared values in addressing issues of human coexistence, fostering international cooperation, achieving sustainable peace and development, safeguarding human rights and freedoms, and protecting the environment.
The Bahraini ambassador emphasized that the state visit highlights the strength of bilateral relations and is expected to pave the way for enhanced cooperation across various sectors, ultimately leading to greater integration. It is anticipated that this visit will result in the signing of agreements, memoranda of understanding, and executive programs in multiple areas, including museum affairs, education, food security, investment, industrial development, in-country value (ICV), media, health, endowments, labor, human resources development, insurance, social protection, agricultural production, and stock market activities.
He also mentioned the forthcoming announcement of the Omani-Bahraini Investment Company, which is projected to have a capital of OMR10 million. He noted that the establishment of this company, with its contract signed in Bahrain during His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik's visit, marks a new beginning for investment projects that will benefit both nations and their citizens.
Furthermore, he highlighted that since the inception of the Omani-Bahraini Joint Committee, eight agreements, 30 memoranda of understanding, and 10 executive programs have been established across various fields, including diplomacy, economics, culture, social issues, sports, and the environment. He stated that the recommendations from the Bahraini-Omani Joint Committee are designed to enhance cooperation in all developmental areas, yielding positive results.
Al Kaabi noted that the Omani-Bahraini Business Council, which unites the chambers of commerce and industry from both countries, has begun exploring opportunities for collaboration in numerous economic, commercial, and investment sectors, with the primary goal of achieving integration between Oman 2040 and Bahrain 2030.
Al Kaabi reported that the commercial exchange between the two nations in 2023 was valued between $850 million and $1.4 billion. He noted that Bahraini exports to Oman reached approximately $843 million, while Omani exports to Bahrain totaled around $558 million for the same year.
There are currently 876 Bahraini companies operating in Oman, compared to about 270 Omani companies in Bahrain. Additionally, 1,362 Omani investors hold shares in companies listed on the Bahrain Stock Exchange, while 696 Bahraini investors own shares in companies on the Muscat Stock Exchange.
Al Kaabi also mentioned that the number of tourists traveling from Oman to Bahrain was 57,000 in 2023, while 47,000 tourists visited Oman from Bahrain.
He highlighted that Bahraini investments in Oman amounted to 470 million dinars, equivalent to approximately $1.25 billion, whereas Omani direct investments in Bahrain were about 290 million dinars, or roughly $772 million.
In 2023, around 1,236 economic activity licenses were issued to Omani citizens in Bahrain, while Bahraini citizens received approximately 1,140 licenses for economic activities in Oman during the same period.
In 2024, it was reported that approximately 500 partnerships had been established between entrepreneurs from both nations, highlighting a promising outlook and a strategic framework for exploring further investment opportunities.
Regarding educational collaboration, Al Kaabi mentioned that an agreement was signed in 2024 between the University of Bahrain and Sultan Qaboos University, focusing on cooperation in research, expertise exchange, and educational programs, as well as the evaluation of school performance.
He noted that around 12 Omani universities have received accreditation in Bahrain, while eight Bahraini universities are accredited in Oman. Ongoing studies aim to expand the list of accredited institutions in both countries. Currently, there are about 300 Omani students enrolled in Bahraini universities, and approximately 120 Bahraini students studying in Omani universities.
In the cultural domain, Al Kaabi highlighted that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for cultural cooperation was signed in October 2022 and is now in the implementation phase.
He elaborated that cultural initiatives have included a Bahraini Cultural Week, an exhibition of Bahraini-Omani fine arts, and visits for experts in handicrafts. Plans are also in progress for an “Omani-Bahraini Identity Festival.”
Al Kaabi emphasized that both nations are working on a joint action plan to promote their cultural heritage, particularly in tourism and investment sectors.
The commitment of the two leaders to enhance bilateral relations fosters a spirit of cooperation and unity, honors the deep historical connections, and signals a promising future that aims to bring prosperity to both countries and their peoples.
