•Mohamed Sami: Exceptional opportunities for Egyptian companies in Oman's technology market

•Ahmed Farag: Muscat exhibition attracts 80,000 visitors and offers exclusive discounts for Egyptian companies

By ; Wael Magdy

In a move to strengthen regional cooperation in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector, Al Dar Al Arabiya, the organizer of COMEX Oman, held a press conference in Cairo in collaboration with the Chamber of Information Technology Industry of the Federation of Egyptian Industries. The conference highlighted key investment opportunities available in the Omani market for Egyptian companies, ahead of the 34th edition of COMEX Oman, set to take place in September in Muscat, with the support of the Omani Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology.

Strategic Partnerships to Foster Technological Collaboration

The event was attended by top executives from the organizing company, including:

•Amr Baabood, CEO of Al Dar Al Arabiya

•Mohamed Sami, General Manager of Al Dar Al Arabiya

•Ahmed Farag, Director of COMEX Oman

•Farid Al Lawati, Director of Marketing and Business Development

Additionally, the event welcomed:

•Dr. Ahmed El-Sobky, Board Member of the Chamber of Information Technology Industry and Head of International Business Development

•H.E. Khalifa bin Rashid Al Shamsi, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman in Cairo

•A large number of representatives from Egyptian IT companies

COMEX 34: A Leading Platform for Digital Transformation

Amr Baabood, CEO of Al Dar Al Arabiya, emphasized that COMEX Oman serves as a strategic gateway for digital transformation in the Sultanate, bringing together government institutions, large and medium-sized enterprises, entrepreneurs, experts, and technology innovators. The exhibition provides an ideal platform to showcase the latest digital solutions and explore new investment and commercial partnerships.

Baabood added that Al Dar Al Arabiya aims to empower Egyptian companies to expand in the Omani market, leveraging their technological expertise and the growing demand for advanced digital solutions.

Promising Opportunities for Egyptian Companies in the Tech Sector

Dr. Ahmed El-Sobky highlighted Oman as a lucrative investment destination for Egyptian companies looking to expand in the Gulf region, especially given the rapid growth of digital transformation in the country.

He noted that Oman ranks 4th in the Arab world and 21st globally in digital transformation, with its e-Government portal processing over 275 million transactions annually.

El-Sobky emphasized that Egyptian companies’ participation in COMEX 34 presents a strategic opportunity to enhance their presence in the Omani market, benefiting from the investment-friendly environment supporting digital transformation.

Mohamed Sami, General Manager of Al Dar Al Arabiya, described COMEX 34 as a groundbreaking opportunity for Egyptian companies looking to expand in Oman, especially with the increasing demand for localized digital solutions. He also highlighted that the historic ties between Egypt and Oman create a strong foundation for investment partnerships.

Exclusive Benefits and Special Discounts for Egyptian Participants

Ahmed Farag, Director of COMEX Oman, announced exclusive incentives for Egyptian companies, including:

•25% early registration discount until the end of April 2025

•15% discount after April 2025

Farag also noted that the exhibition, which currently spans 18,000 square meters, is expected to expand to 23,000 square meters in the next edition. The event will attract over 80,000 visitors, with broad participation from government agencies and major corporations, including a dedicated FinTech pavilion.

Rising Success Indicators of COMEX Oman

COMEX Oman has witnessed remarkable growth in recent years, with signed investment deals reaching $220 million in 2024, marking a 112% increase from the previous year. The number of participating companies also surged from 100 in 2023 to 184 in 2024, while the number of government entities rose to 33, and the number of startups increased from 96 in 2023 to 133 in 2024.

Oman has also made significant strides in digital government rankings, climbing to 41st place globally out of 193 countries in the 2024 UN e-Government Development Index, up from 50th place in 2022. This places Oman at 5th in the Middle East and North Africa region.

Additionally, Oman improved its human capital ranking to 55th globally in 2024, reflecting the government’s efforts to enhance its ICT sector. In terms of ICT infrastructure, Oman advanced to 22nd place globally in 2024, up from 48th in 2022, driven by the expansion of broadband internet and mobile connectivity.

With its continuous growth and commitment to digital innovation, COMEX 34 presents a unique opportunity for Egyptian companies to establish a strong foothold in Oman’s evolving technology sector and contribute to its digital transformation journey.