Business Mission to Oman and Saudi Arabia | SARIO, Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency

Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency (SARIO) in cooperation with the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Cairo, the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Riyadh, and the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic organized a business mission to Oman and Saudi Arabia on May 20—25, 2023.

The main topic of the mission was the fostering of bilateral business relations and the development of networking activities between entrepreneurs and enterprises. Sector focus: smart cities technologies and innovative solutions for industry, ICT, engineering industry, electrical engineering industry, healthcare, spa, construction, assortment for retail distribution.

In Oman, as many as 7 companies participated from the Slovak side, the sectors of the spa industry, as well as the ICT sector, prevailed. Slovak companies completed a total of 44 B2B/B2G negotiations in the Sultanate of Oman at the premises of the Oman Chamber of Commerce. Later on, the subjects took part in the negotiations in Invest in Oman entity.

In Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 33 Slovak companies and 39 Saudi companies participated in the business forum. As many as 8 Slovak entities were involved in the so-called PIF — Agenda covered by Dušan Duffek from 0100ventures company. The other 25 Slovak companies came from sectors such as the spa industry, engineering, ICT, trade and marketing, energy, and construction. The Slovak companies completed a total number of 154 B2B/B2G meetings in Riyadh through the local partner, which was the Federation of Saudi Chambers. Afterward, the delegation attended NEOM's premises where they conducted a meeting with the investment director, later on, they visited the Riyadh Travel Fair and glanced at the Future Projects Forum contracting fair.

After the forum in Riyadh, the business delegation moved to the port city of Dammam, which is located on the coast of the Persian Gulf. 15 Slovak companies as well as 31 Saudi companies participated in the forum in Dammam. An important point of the program was the reception at the lounge of local businessman called Mr. Otaishan, who organized a meeting with Slovak businessmen. In addition to the enterprises from Dammam, Mr. Otaishan invited his business partners from Bahrain. The business delegation concluded its program at the Ithra Acceleration Center.

As many as 59 B2B/B2G negotiations took place in Dammam.

Slovak business entities, which completed a cumulative number of 257 meetings over the course of 5 days, evaluated the progress of the mission positively. They stated that they see the potential for the development of further business relations and co-operation. Constantly maintaining of the contacts is a primordial thing. It also requires frequent travel to the territory and adapting to the local business customs and traditions.

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