By Kabeer Yousuf -
MUSCAT — Notwithstanding the tremendous results brought in by the Oman-US FTA (Free Trade Agreement), various measures are in place to boost foreign investments between the two friendly countries.
A road show to this effect was held in Muscat yesterday where representatives of US’ leading economic sectors participated and spoke to the potential investors in Oman.
“The road show and the B2B meetings are the initiatives of the United States Department of Commerce International Trade Administration and the US Embassy in Muscat and facilitated by the Global Private Equity and Venture Capital Trade Missions based in Washington”, Anu Bhardwaj, Founder and Managing Director of Trade Mission US told the Observer.
This Commerce Certified Trade Mission to the Middle East, focused on relationship building, gave up to 12 US-based GPs a place in the delegation slated to connect with institutional investors, sovereign funds and family offices from besides Oman, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia.
The highly informative and interactive programme provided US private equity and venture capital fund managers with the opportunity to build key business relationships with LPs from these countries.
Aimed at the institutional investors from Oman, the B2B session evoked a sound response from the participants as was witnessed by the number of queries and the volume of money that the participants were willing to invest in the US.
“Apart from Introducing the US private equity firms to potential LPs who have the ability to invest in US private equity funds, we have aimed at creating opportunities for intimate interactions between GPs and potential LPs and promoting the US private equity firms in the region.
“There has been an increasing tendency to invest in the United States and we are aiming to tap the potential further”, Anu added.
She added that the delegation comprises a number of investors in technology, real estate and health fields, as well as other investment fields.
Anand T Philip, managing Director, Castle Harlan Inc, New York said the B2B session was immensely beneficial in terms of networking and liaising.
Leading companies who have investment portfolio such as Al Hilal, Bank Muscat, National Securities Company, Oman Brunei Investment Company (OBIC), Oman Investment Fund (OIF), Oman LNG, OMINVEST, OMZEST, Qurum Business Group, Qurum Investment Group, Saud Bahawan Group, State General Reserve Fund (SGRF), Zubair Corporation, Al Hilal Investment Company, and Ernst and Young took part in the event.
The meeting also shed light on the nature of American economy, the strategic approach in the investment field, besides the major investment opportunities available in both countries particularly signing the free trade agreement.
