Oman Economic Forum (OEF08) comes at a time when Oman is implementing an ambitious plan that aims at expanding and diversifying its economic base and reducing dependence on oil exports, by encouraging foreign investment in various areas through incentives and exemptions and the provision of proper public utility services.

To these ends, the plan aims at the development and modernization of the infrastructure, and the establishment of a base of heavy industries associated with oil and gas including petrochemicals and iron and steel industries. It also aims also to take advantage of the Sultanate’s tourism resources to make it a leading tourist destination in the region and thus to encourage domestic and foreign private investments in tourism projects and corresponding services.

All these ongoing developments, in addition to the large outlays that have been allocated to develop the oil sector and increase production capacity, as well as the new laws governing real estate ownership and direct foreign investment in the banking sector, have made the Sultanate of Oman the focus of attention and growing interest by investors and businessmen in the region.

OEF08, organized by Al-Iktissad Wal-Aamal Group in association with the Ministry of Trade and Industry in the Sultanate of Oman, and in cooperation with the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Oman center for Investment Promotion and Export Development and it will be held in Muscat, Oman on the 13th and 14th of April, 2008 at the Bar Al-Jassa Resort (Shangri-La Hotel and Resort), is expected to attract ministers and officials and several companies and Arab institutions working in various sectors, and comes at an appropriate time to discuss a host of topics and issues concerning Oman's economy and its strategy for the future. These include:

- Recent developments in the Omani economy and the investment environment.
- Infrastructure development projects and investment opportunities.
- Main tourism projects and investment opportunities in the sector and related services industries.
- The oil and gas sector.
- Current and future investment opportunities in Oman's banking sector.
- Factors conducive to investment in manufacturing industry in Oman.
- The industrial areas and free zones and their role in developing industry and promoting investment.
- Power and water: Future requirements, plans to increase capacity and link up with the regional network, and investment opportunities in power and water projects.
- Advantages of investing in real estate and investment opportunities in related services. <