The recent convening of the 13th Session of the Türkiye–Oman Joint Committee (JC) in Ankara on December 19, 2025, signals a deepening strategic partnership between the two nations. Co-chaired by prominent ministers from both governments, the meeting focused on boosting Türkiye-Oman relations across multiple sectors and set ambitious targets for future economic collaboration. This represents a significant step toward realizing shared economic visions and strengthening regional trade ties.
Advancing Bilateral Trade and Investment
A central theme of the JC session was the commitment to significantly expand bilateral trade and investment. Oman’s Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, H.E. Mr. Qais Mohammed Al Yousef, underscored the importance of translating the existing strong political goodwill into tangible economic benefits. The overarching goal is to achieve a total trade volume of $5 billion within the next five years – a substantial increase reflecting growing confidence and opportunity.
The talks highlighted a positive trend already in motion, with bilateral trade showing consistent growth. Notably, trade increased by 5.3% in 2024 and continued its ascent with a 7.8% rise in the first half of 2025. This positive momentum is coupled with a substantial increase in Turkish business activity within Oman, with a 21% growth in Turkish companies operating in the Sultanate as of September 2025. Alongside this, Turkish investment in Oman is also flourishing, increasing by 18.7% and playing a crucial role in supporting the nation’s key infrastructure and broader development plans.
The Proposed Turkish-Omani Industrial Zone
To further accelerate these developments, a particularly exciting proposal emerged: the establishment of a dedicated Turkish-Omani industrial zone within Oman. This zone is strategically envisioned to leverage Oman’s advantageous geographic position and its existing free trade agreements with major economies like the USA and India. Sectors anticipated to benefit strongly from this initiative include spare parts manufacturing and textiles.
Minister Al Yousef emphasized the importance of streamlining import routes and learning from Türkiye’s proven successes in export promotion, suggesting targeted incentives to catalyze activity within the zone. This represents a proactive step towards creating a more favorable and efficient environment for businesses from both nations. Focusing on trade facilitation will be key to unlocking the full potential of this collaboration.
Strengthening Regional Connectivity and the GCC FTA
Both sides recognized the importance of broader regional economic integration. A crucial element of this vision is the swift conclusion of the Türkiye–GCC Free Trade Agreement. Türkiye’s Minister of Treasury and Finance, H.E. Mr. Mehmet Şimşek, stressed that completing this agreement is a “decisive catalyst” for regional trade and should be prioritized.
Şimşek further detailed how Türkiye is positioned to support Oman’s Vision 2040, focusing on the country’s diversification away from oil dependency. He emphasized the natural synergy between Oman’s world-class ports and economic zones and Türkiye’s established connections to European, Central Asian, and Middle Eastern markets. The potential for creating a seamless “end-to-end trade corridor” could significantly reduce time, cost, and risk for businesses operating in both regions. Exploring joint ventures in emerging markets, specifically in Africa, were also discussed as a pathway for expanded cooperation. Economic diversification is a common goal fueling this partnership.
Expanding Cooperation Across Key Sectors
The meeting’s scope extended far beyond trade volumes and FTAs. The Joint Committee Protocol signed at the conclusion of the session outlines detailed plans for expanded collaboration across a diverse range of sectors:
- Energy: Finalizing an agreement between Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) and OQ Exploration and Production (OQEP) will enhance Türkiye’s energy security. Agreements relating to critical minerals and mining will also encourage joint investment. Cooperation is already strong in oil, natural gas, pipeline security, storage and crucially, green energy technologies.
- Banking and Finance: Continued close communication between Turkish and Omani financial institutions is a priority.
- Education: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed to promote collaboration between educational institutions, fostering knowledge exchange and talent development.
- Tourism: Strengthening people-to-people ties through increased tourism and technical cooperation.
- Industry: Leveraging both countries’ organised and special economic zones to attract investment.
- SMEs: Recognizing the crucial role of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in both economies, strengthening collaboration and support in this area is a shared priority.
Private Sector Engagement and Future Plans
Recognizing the vital role of the private sector, a “Türkiye–Oman Roundtable Meeting” was held, bringing together ministers and business leaders. This forum provided a platform to review existing projects and identify new avenues for collaboration. Participants highlighted the potential of organised industrial zones in boosting investment and trade, and the value of sharing best practices.
The 2026 work programme was discussed, and both sides agreed to broaden cooperation further. The overarching ambition of the Türkiye-Oman partnership is to build a sustainable and mutually beneficial relationship, contributing to economic prosperity and stability within the region.
In conclusion, the 13th Session of the Türkiye–Oman Joint Committee represents a significant milestone in a rapidly evolving partnership. The commitment to increasing trade to $5 billion, coupled with strategic initiatives like the proposed industrial zone and the drive to finalize the GCC FTA, reflects a proactive approach to fostering stronger economic ties. Continued dialogue, collaboration between the public and private sectors, and a focus on key areas like energy, education, and SME development will undoubtedly pave the way for a brighter future for both nations. Businesses interested in exploring opportunities within this expanding economic relationship are encouraged to research available programs and connect with relevant trade organizations.
