Trade links between Oman, Europe and Africa are set to grow following a series of international visits to PEIE-run Knowledge Oasis Muscat (KOM). Representatives from a variety of countries have recently toured the Rusayl-based Technology Park in order to make business contacts and learn how PEIE and KOM can help foreign hi-tech companies and manufacturers establish a Middle East base.One visit was organised by the Arab-British Chamber of Commerce (ABCC). Founded in 1975, ABCC is devoted to the encouragement of Arab-British trade and economic co-operation. Sir Roger Tomkys, Chairman ABCC, headed the Chamber’s delegation to KOM. According to KOM Management, the ABCC delegation visited the Park to understand the facilities available to British hi-tech companies wanting to locate in the Middle East.
In addition to KOM, the ABCC delegation were also given a presentation on the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (PEIE), its newly-launched Al Mazunah Free Zone and expansion plans for its Sohar Industrial Estate.
A second group, headed by Jose Nuno, Spain’s Economic and Commercial Counselor for the GCC region - and representing several industries, visited KOM to look at the way the Park promotes the development of hi-tech businesses and discuss manufacturing issues related to PEIE’s six industrial estates in Al Buraimi, Sohar, Nizwa, Rusayl, Sur and Raysut.
Three further groups visited KOM recently. A UK Trade & Investment team accompanied by Janet Ford, Commercial Attaché, British Embassy, discussed KOM’s facilities and services and how they could help UK-based hi-tech companies looking to expand in the Gulf. A five man team from the Japanese International Co-operation Agency (JICA) visited the Park to discuss innovation and entrepreneurship and the development of the Knowledge Mine, a 30 office business incubator program based at KOM. Dr. Kennedy (pictured above) an advisor to the Kenyan Government also toured the Park where he visited Gulf Air’s Worldwide Reservations Contact Centre, Singaporean firm, Infocomm and The Knowledge Mine.
Mohammed Al Maskari said: 'We’re delighted to see PEIE and KOM’s reputation growing not only in the Gulf but around the world as the perfect location for manufacturing and hi-tech firms. By forging stronger relationships with these countries we aim to encourage inward investment and promote trade, providing a boost for the national economy.”
