University of West London hosts MPs and business leaders at Oman-Britain Business Conference

Minister Plenipotentiary Arwa Al-Bulushi, Vice Chancellor Professor Peter John CBE, Cabinet Minister The Rt. Hon. Nadhim Zahawi MP, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to the UK His Excellency Bader Mohammed Bader Al Mantheri, Senior Lecturer at Claude Littner Business School Dr Malak Hamdan, Chair of Board of Governors Jennifer Bernard

University of West London hosts MPs and business leaders at Oman-Britain Business Conference

20 January 2023

The University of West London hosted a major investment summit - the Oman-Britain Business Conference - on Thursday 19 January providing an opportunity for UK businesses to meet key investors from the Sultanate of Oman. The event follows the signing of a Sovereign Investment Partnership (SIP), between the UK and the Sultanate of Oman in 2022 to strengthen the long-standing economic ties and deepen the investment relationship between the two countries. The event was attended by UK Government Cabinet Minister The Rt. Hon. Nadhim Zahawi MP and His Excellency, Bader Mohammed Bader Al Mantheri, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to the United Kingdom, as well as many other influential business and political leaders.

Cabinet Minister The Rt. Hon. Nadhim Zahawi MP speaking at Oman-Britain Business Conference with Oman-Britain Business Conference projected on the wall behind him.

Cabinet Minister The Rt. Hon. Nadhim Zahawi MP spoke at the conference and met with Oman government representatives including Minister Plenipotentiary Arwa Al-Bulushi and UK business leaders from sectors including fin tech, water tech, clean energy, cyber security, hospitality, tourism, and education.

Time has flown since 1800 when Britain and Oman signed that landmark treaty which catalysed our future cooperation in culture, in trade and in investment. Our relationship has gone from strength to strength,

I am excited to be among you today as our nations come together to grow investment opportunities. As successful leaders of business, you understand its vital importance for sustainable growth in both our economies."

said Nadhim Zahawi.

Minister Plenipotentiary Arwa Al-Bulushi at Oman-Britain Business Conference talking to room at UWL with Oman-Britain Business Conference projected behind her.

My colleagues who have travelled all the way from Muscat to give presentations today are here to give you a message that we are ready for a partnership,

We want to strengthen the diplomatic and economic bilateral relations between the Oman and the UK.”

said Minister Plenipotentiary and lead on Oman-British Business opportunities, Arwa Al-Bulushi.

Vice Chancellor Professor Peter John CBE talking at the Oman-Britain Business Conference on stage with the Oman-Britain Business Conference projection behind him.

Closing the conference, Professor Peter John CBE, Vice-Chancellor, University of West London praised the warmth of the people of Oman and reminded delegates that "it is people who make partnerships".

He continued,

The university is very pleased to be part of this day and what is coming in the future. Oman’s 2040 vision clearly sets out how it will move forward with confidence, opportunity and vision. As it says, it is ‘bursting with ambition for the future’ and we at UWL are looking forward to joining Oman on this journey."

British companies have a long history of investment in Oman; this latest partnership will fast-track trade and investment through sector-specialised departments, and broker business and investment incentives in multiple areas including clean energy and technology.

The event hosted 180 UK business leaders who discussed investment opportunities in a range of business sectors. Companies including OMRAN (tourism), Asyad (Logistics), Fish Development Oman, and Minerals Development Oman gave presentations on incentives offered to investors, including the investor residency programme and related services. There were panel discussions throughout the day where delegates had a chance to hear in detail from sector specialists. Also attending the event was The Rt. Hon. Baroness Elizabeth Symons of Vernham Dean - Chair of the Arab British Chamber of Commerce, Lord Robert Mitford of Redesdale, Rt Hon Lord Hogan-Howe and Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles KCMG. The conference closed with a networking session giving delegates the opportunity to meet key people from the Oman delegation.

Find out about business support at UWL and about a range of business courses available at UWL’s Claude Littner Business School.
Watch Oman News Center's coverage of the event on YouTube.

Cabinet Member Rt Hon Nadhim Zahawi MP gave a speech at the conference.

Minister Plenipotentiary Arwa Al-Bulushi and Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to the UK His Excellency Bader Mohammed Bader Al Mantheri were two of the influential business and political leaders at the Oman-Britain Business Conference.

Minister Plenipotentiary Arwa Al-Bulushi and Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to the UK and His Excellency Bader Mohammed Bader Al Mantheri were two of the influential business and political leaders at the conference.

Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles KCMG and Cabinet Minister Rt. Hon. Nadhim Zahawi MP greeting each other at the Oman-Britain Business Conference.

Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles KCMG and Cabinet Minister Rt. Hon. Nadhim Zahawi MP greeting each other at the conference.

Senior Lecturer at Claude Littner Business School Dr Malak Hamdan escorted Cabinet Minister Rt. Hon. Nadhim Zahawi MP through the campus to the Weston Hall.

The Rt. Hon the Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean gave a speech at the Oman-Britain Business Conference.

The Rt. Hon the Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean gave a speech at the conference.

Chair of the Board of Governors Jennifer Bernard gave a speech at the conference.

Chair of the Board of Governors Jenifer Bernard, Minister Plenipotentiary Arwa Al-Bulushi, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Business Development) Dr Suresh Gamlath, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to the UK His Excellency Bader Mohammed Bader Al Mantheri, Senior Lecturer at Claude Littner Business School Dr Malak Hamdan, Rt. Hon. Lord Hogan-Howe, Vice Chancellor Professor Peter John CBE and Lord Mitford of Redesdale

Chair of the Board of Governors Jennifer Bernard, Minister Plenipotentiary Arwa Al-Bulushi, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Business Development) Dr Suresh Gamlath, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to the UK His Excellency Bader Mohammed Bader Al Mantheri, Senior Lecturer at Claude Littner Business School Dr Malak Hamdan, Rt. Hon. Lord Hogan-Howe, Vice Chancellor Professor Peter John CBE and Lord Mitford of Redesdale.

Chair of the Board of Governors Jennifer Bernard, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to the UK His Excellency Bader Mohammed Bader Al Mantheri, Vice Chancellor Professor Peter John CBE.

Minister Plenipotentiary Arwa Al-Bulushi.

Minister Plenipotentiary Arwa Al-Bulushi, Vice Chancellor Professor Peter John CBE, Cabinet Minister The Rt. Hon. Nadhim Zahawi MP, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to the UK His Excellency Bader Mohammed Bader Al Mantheri, Senior Lecturer at Claude Littner Business School Dr Malak Hamdan, Chair of Board of Governors Jennifer Bernard.

Cabinet Member Rt Hon Nadhim Zahawi MP.

180 business leaders discussed investment opportunities in a range of business sectors.

Vice Chancellor Professor Peter John CBE closed the conference with a speech.

Chair of Board of Governors Jennifer Bernard, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to the UK His Excellency Bader Mohammed Bader Al Mantheri, Lord Mitford of Redesdale, Rt Hon Lord Hogan-Howe, Vice Chancellor Professor Peter John CBE.