Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tarik Al Said is paying a state visit to Kazakhstan. High-level talks and the Kazakh-Omani Business Forum are scheduled to take place in Astana. Temporary traffic restrictions may also be introduced in the capital due to international events.
Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tarik Al Said is visiting Kazakhstan at the invitation of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. According to Akorda, the talks will focus on strengthening political dialogue, expanding trade, economic and investment cooperation, as well as developing cultural and humanitarian ties.
Economy and investment at the center of the agenda
The economic dimension is one of the key components of the visit. Kazakhstan and Oman currently have a joint portfolio of five major investment projects with a total value of around $3 billion. Two of these projects, in the energy and railway transportation sectors, worth approximately $1.1 billion, have already been launched.
Earlier, Samruk-Kazyna and the Oman Investment Authority agreed to establish mechanisms for joint investment. Potential areas of cooperation include industry, energy, logistics, mining and healthcare. The Kazakh and Omani sides have also discussed projects in the oil and gas sector, agriculture, digital technologies and tourism.
Transport and logistics are of particular importance for Kazakhstan. Oman has ports providing access to the Indian Ocean, and the two sides have previously discussed using Omani port infrastructure to expand supplies of Kazakh products to the markets of the Gulf states and other regions.
Business Forum to be held in Astana
The Business Forum will take place in Astana on October 6, with the participation of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Sultan Haitham bin Tarik Al Said. The forum will be held at the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC).
The priority areas include logistics, the oil and gas sector, agriculture, the chemical industry, construction and infrastructure.
The forum is expected to provide a platform for direct contacts between business representatives from the two countries and discussions on new joint projects.
Traffic restrictions possible in Astana
Temporary traffic restrictions may be introduced in connection with international political events. The State Security Service has warned residents and visitors to the capital about temporary traffic restrictions on certain sections of Astana’s streets on October 5 and 6.
However, the exact list of affected streets and the timing of the restrictions have not yet been officially published. Drivers are therefore advised to take possible restrictions into account when planning trips around the city, particularly on the left bank of the capital.
The state visit comes amid a notable expansion of contacts between Kazakhstan and Oman. Just a few months ago, the two sides formalized investment agreements, and now the economic agenda has been brought directly to the level of the two heads of state. The specific agreements and projects that will result from the talks will become known following the visit.
