Sultan Haitham renews centuries-old trade links with London on state visit
Oman has renewed its historic links to the City of London with pledges by Sultan Haitham to grow joint investment and keep trade flowing under the shadow of the Iran war. Sultan Haitham, who is on the first Omani state visit in 44 years to the UK, used a banquet address in the finance, shipping and insurance hub to pledge that ties dating back to 1647 would blossom. Referring to how the London…
Oman's Sultan Haitham renewed historic trade ties with London during his state visit, pledging to boost joint investment and maintain trade flow amid the Iran war. The visit marked the first Omani state visit to the UK in 44 years, held in the financial hub of London. Sultan Haitham highlighted that the private sector had previously been the first to establish trade links between the two nations in 1647, stating, "Not for the last time the private sector got there first."
He expressed optimism about the positive trajectory of bilateral investments and trade, with a focus on areas like sustainability, financial services, and technology.
Lady Mayor Susan Langley emphasized Oman's crucial role in ensuring free navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, calling it a foundation for global prosperity and peace. The UK and Oman have signed several agreements during Sultan Haitham's four-day visit, with over £1 billion in investment pledged. Notable pacts include securing maritime cooperation and establishing an artificial intelligence data center in Salalah.
The visit included a trip to London's former Olympic Park, which has become a symbol of the city's growth and regeneration efforts. Here East, a cluster of museums and businesses, hosted the Omani delegation, showcasing British and Omani start-ups in fields like space, healthcare, and artificial intelligence. BioOrbit, a start-up founded in 2023, aims to manufacture drugs in space, while SAIF Autonomy focuses on safety layers for autonomous technology. The Omani climate tech company 44.01 also participated, highlighting its carbon capture technology.
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