During the 2nd Strategic Dialogue held in Washington, the Sultanate of Oman and the United States of America (USA) discussed various ways to enhance trade and investment, as well as address common challenges. Leading the Omani delegation was Sheikh Khalifa Ali Al Harthy, Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry for Political Affairs, while the USA delegation was headed by Jose W. Fernandez, Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment at the US Department of State.
The discussions primarily focused on the potential opportunities for US companies in the Omani market, with specific emphasis on information and communication technology services, semiconductors, and clean energy. Both sides also explored avenues for collaboration in demonstrating and implementing carbon capture, use, and storage technologies, as well as carbon dioxide removal technologies. This collaboration would involve technical exchanges, investment initiatives, and trade missions.
Furthermore, the two countries reinforced their cooperation in geologic carbon by organizing a technical workshop in Muscat in September 2023, hosted by Oman's Ministry of Energy and Minerals in partnership with the US Department of Energy. Additionally, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Oman's Ministry of Energy and Minerals and US firm Eden GeoPower to study and showcase the potential of stimulated hydrogen production in Oman.
Both sides expressed their commitment to further strengthen cooperation in developing clean energy solutions, utilizing the expertise of the US private sector. They also explored investment opportunities in critical minerals essential for the clean energy transition.
In line with the US-Oman Memorandum of Understanding on Environmental Cooperation, both countries discussed environmental priorities and explored ways to facilitate collaboration between researchers from Omani universities and their counterparts in American research centers and universities. This collaboration aims to enhance scientific research in the field of clean energy.
The United States and Oman are dedicated to enhancing cultural, educational, and scientific collaborations in key areas such as artificial intelligence, space technology, higher education, renewable energy, inclusive education, and the media and film sectors.
Both parties have agreed to explore innovative methods to increase the number of Omani students studying in the United States and vice versa.
The United States and the Sultanate of Oman are committed to sustaining high-level bilateral visits, with plans to hold the next round of the Strategic Dialogue in 2025.
Discussions also revolved around strategies to boost mutual prosperity, including the $500 million procurement facilitation agreement between the Export-Import Bank of the United States and the Oman Ministry of Finance, as well as the establishment of the Commercial Attaché’s office at the Embassy of Oman in Washington.
