Oman-Lebanon economic ties set to grow further

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun’s two-day visit to Oman marks one of the most strategically significant diplomatic moves for Lebanon this year and one with real economic weight behind it. The trip aims to strengthen decades-old ties between Beirut and Muscat, with talks covering political cooperation, security coordination, trade, energy, tourism and cultural exchange. But at its core, the visit is about one thing: economic revival at a moment when Lebanon urgently needs new partners.

Both governments are pushing for deeper integration aligned with Oman Vision 2040 and Lebanon’s broader economic rebuilding efforts. Several MoUs are currently under review, with the Omani Lebanese Joint Committee expected to finalize agreements in early 2026.

Officials say priority sectors include agriculture, education, tourism, technology, manufacturing, and sustainable development areas were Lebanon’s human capital overlaps with Oman’s investment capacity.

Trade is already growing

Economic cooperation is not starting from zero. Trade between the two countries rose 29.4% in the first half of 2025, reaching approximately RO 8.5 million. Omani exports to Lebanon increased by 30.7%, while Lebanese exports to Oman grew by 28.8%.

Lebanese presence in Oman is also expanding. By September 2025:

1,035 Lebanese companies were registered in Oman.

Total Lebanese investment reached RO 191.5 million.

Sectors include trade, retail, construction, food services, transportation, and manufacturing.

The recent Omani Lebanese Economic Forum, which gathered over 100 companies, highlighted joint interest in sectors like logistics, renewable energy, smart manufacturing and free zone development.

Why this matters for Lebanon

Lebanon enters these talks with a clear advantage: the country’s strength in services, finance, technology, creative industries and food production matches Oman’s push to diversify its economy away from hydrocarbons. In other words, Lebanon exports expertise; Oman provides scale, infrastructure and investment security. That alignment creates space for:

Joint industrial and tech projects

Lebanese SMEs entering Omani free zones

Omani investors partnering with Lebanese service-sector leaders

Collaboration in tourism, hospitality and cultural industries

For Lebanese businesses, especially those constrained by the domestic banking collapse, Oman becomes a stable gateway for regional expansion.

A 50-year relationship enters a new phase

Since Oman opened its first embassy in Beirut in 1972, the two countries have maintained an unusually steady, respectful relationship in a turbulent region. Today, that relationship enters what both sides see as a new phase: one defined by economic integration, sustainable development and joint Arab action, rather than simple diplomatic courtesy.