British Omani Society hosts high-level talks on trade cooperation
Held at BOS headquarters in Mayfair, the event brought together senior officials and private sector leaders from both countries. It came at a pivotal moment in the ongoing UK-GCC Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, offering a platform to reaffirm Oman's position as a stable and growing destination for trade and investment.
Richard Stanford, Chair of BOS, opened the evening with a welcome address outlining the society's role in fostering bilateral engagement. The panel discussion was led by Pankaj Khimji, Adviser for Foreign Trade and International Cooperation at Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, who provided an overview of Oman's foreign trade priorities.
Other panellists included Sir Philip Barton, former Permanent Undersecretary at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and Chris Breeze, Managing Director of Ellipse Projects UK and Chair of the BOS Business Subcommittee. The session was moderated by Stanford and focused on opportunities for deeper bilateral cooperation across trade, infrastructure and innovation.
Stanford said the discussions highlighted 'the growing momentum in UK-Oman trade relations and the shared ambition to deepen this economic cooperation through mutual investment'. He noted that the long-standing ties between the two countries continue to provide a strong foundation for future collaboration.
Following the panel, guests attended the BOS Summer Business Reception, co-hosted by Omani British Society, which is chaired by Saleh Zakwani. Khimji and Tom Wintle, UK Chief Negotiator for the GCC Free Trade Agreement, addressed the gathering as Guests of Honour.
The event was attended by the ambassadors of both countries, senior government officials, and representatives from a wide range of industries in the UK and Oman. Discussions throughout the evening reflected a shared commitment to identifying new opportunities for cooperation, innovation and sustainable growth.
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