Kazakhstan and Oman: fostering diplomacy, boosting investments, and promoting visa-free travel.

This marks the first official visit of the Omani Foreign Minister to Kazakhstan, paving the way for new opportunities to enhance bilateral cooperation.

During the meeting, the ministers discussed a wide range of issues related to political, economic, and cultural-humanitarian collaboration. Special attention was given to the prospects for cooperation in key sectors such as energy, transportation, logistics, finance, and agriculture.

The parties emphasized the significance of developing transit routes, considering the strategic potential of Kazakhstan and Oman as regional logistics hubs. In this context, the important coordinating role of the Kazakhstan-Oman Intergovernmental Commission was highlighted, with its first meeting scheduled for the second half of this year.

In turn, B. Al-Busaidi underscored Astana's role as a leading economic partner for Oman in Central Asia, reaffirming a strong commitment to elevate bilateral cooperation to a new level and proposed exploring the possibility of establishing direct air links between the countries.

In this regard, the initiative from Oman to create a Direct Investment Fund for Kazakhstan and neighboring countries aimed at realizing the potential for trade and economic interaction was noted and supported.

The ministers agreed that strengthening economic ties also creates opportunities for expanding cultural and interpersonal exchanges. For instance, last year, the number of Kazakh citizens visiting Oman increased by 37%, reaching 21,000 people.

In this context, the Kazakh side welcomed the Omani government's decision to extend the visa-free regime for citizens of Kazakhstan to 30 days, which will contribute to an increase in tourist flow and facilitate mutual travel, opening additional prospects for interaction in various fields.

Furthermore, the interlocutors exchanged views on pressing regional and global issues and agreed to continue active cooperation between their foreign ministries.

As a result of the meeting, a Roadmap for cooperation was signed between the foreign ministries of Kazakhstan and Oman, outlining promising areas for further collaboration.