Kazan – The Kazan International Halal Forum and Exhibition 2026 concluded its activities, witnessing broad participation from over 133 countries worldwide. The event, which drew a large official, economic, and media presence, reflected the forum's growing stature as one of the most prominent international economic events specializing in the halal industry and products.
The Sultanate of Oman had a prominent presence at the forum, fielding the largest economic and trade delegation to participate in the event. The Omani delegation comprised approximately 30 businesspeople representing the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, along with representatives from several government entities and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). These SMEs participated with a dedicated pavilion at Expo Kazan, showcasing Omani products and services and promoting promising investment opportunities in the Sultanate.
The Omani pavilion was organized by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion in cooperation with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (Riyada). This initiative is part of their efforts to enhance the presence of Omani products in international markets and empower Omani companies to explore export opportunities and build trade and investment partnerships with various global markets. The Omani delegation actively participated in several economic and investment events held alongside the forum, most notably the Omani-Russian Business Forum, which was attended by the President of the Republic of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov, along with a number of senior officials, business leaders, and investors from around the world.
Also present at the Omani-Russian Forum was His Excellency Sheikh Khalifa bin Ali Al Harthy, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Political Affairs, who affirmed in his address that Omani-Russian relations are witnessing continuous growth at all levels, reflecting the commitment of both countries' leadership to strengthening economic and investment cooperation. He noted that the Sultanate of Oman pursues economic diplomacy as a key avenue for supporting development and enhancing international partnerships.
His Excellency explained that the Sultanate of Oman's economic vision is guided by "Oman Vision 2040," which prioritizes partnership between the government and the private sector, recognizing the private sector as a key partner in achieving economic development, diversifying income sources, and attracting high-quality investments.
He added that the Sultanate is working to provide an attractive investment environment characterized by its strategic location, advanced infrastructure, and stimulating legislation, in addition to its economic and free zones and modern ports that connect Gulf, Asian, and African markets. This enhances the Sultanate of Oman's position as a promising economic and logistical hub in the region.
The forum also witnessed the participation of His Excellency Engineer Ahmed bin Hassan Al-Dheeb, Vice Chairman of the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones, who affirmed that the Sultanate's participation in the forum reflects its keenness to strengthen its economic and investment presence in international markets and attract more high-quality partnerships that contribute to supporting the objectives of "Oman Vision 2040."
His Excellency pointed to the numerous opportunities available to the Omani and Russian private sectors in various sectors, most notably food industries and halal products, logistics and maritime transport, energy and renewable energy, tourism and real estate investment, food security, mining and manufacturing industries, as well as modern technologies and artificial intelligence.
He explained that the Sultanate of Oman possesses attractive economic and investment advantages, thanks to the incentives, facilities, and advanced infrastructure offered by its economic and free zones, making it a strategic platform for accessing regional and global markets.
He added that the most prominent products traded between the Sultanate of Oman and the Russian Federation include petroleum products, minerals, food products, industrial materials, and agricultural equipment and products, emphasizing the significant opportunities to expand this list in the future to serve the shared economic interests of both countries.
The Omani delegation also participated in the official opening ceremony of the Halal Products Exhibition, in addition to attending several dialogue sessions, bilateral meetings, and economic gatherings that focused on strengthening trade and investment cooperation and opening new horizons for partnership between the Sultanate of Oman, the Russian Federation, and the Republic of Tatarstan, particularly in the halal food industry, technology, tourism, logistics, and artificial intelligence sectors.
Mahmoud bin Sulaiman Al-Yazidi, Head of the Export Promotion Department at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion and General Supervisor of the Omani pavilion at the exhibition, affirmed that the Sultanate of Oman's participation in the Kazan International Halal Exhibition and Forum contributed to showcasing Omani products, highlighting the quality of national industries, and highlighting the investment opportunities available in the Sultanate. He noted that the Omani pavilion witnessed significant interest from visitors, investors, and representatives of international companies. He added that the participation provided an important platform for holding business meetings and exploring export opportunities and cooperation with Russian markets and the markets of participating countries, thus supporting the Sultanate's efforts to enhance non-oil exports and open new markets for Omani products.
The forum featured direct sessions and bilateral meetings between Russian and Omani businesspeople, during which available investment opportunities were reviewed, and areas of economic and trade cooperation between the two sides in several vital sectors were discussed. These meetings were further strengthened by the signing of several memoranda of understanding and cooperation agreements between Omani and Russian institutions and companies, contributing to opening new horizons for partnership, investment, and the exchange of expertise between the two friendly countries.
The forum witnessed the signing of two cooperation agreements between Etisalat Trade and Services LLC and both the Digital Financial Assets Center of the Republic of Tatarstan and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Honduras, with the aim of exploring cooperation opportunities in the areas of attracting investments and implementing projects.
