On 3 February, a large Omani economic delegation led by Zaher bin Mohammed Al-Kaabi met with Omar Debous, the newly appointed Governor of Anbar Province and provincial business leaders, signaling Omani investor interest is now reaching Iraq's provincial level following the 24 memoranda of understanding signed between Baghdad and Muscat in September 2025.
THE DELEGATION
The delegation was received at the Anbar Chamber of Commerce by Chairman Amer Khalaf Alawi, with Hamid Daham Yassin, head of the Economic Committee in the Anbar Provincial Council, also present. The Omani representatives subsequently met with Governor Debous to discuss bilateral economic cooperation.
“Discussions focused on supporting small and medium enterprises as an essential pillar in revitalizing the economy and providing job opportunities.”Amer Khalaf Alawi, Chairman of Anbar Chamber of Commerce
Governor Debous emphasized the province's specific interest in creating investment opportunities for Omani partners, particularly in sectors that have lagged behind federal initiatives.
What they're looking at
While public statements remained diplomatic, technical discussions reportedly centered on three key areas:
- Logistics nodes along the international highway to Jordan and Syria.
- Light manufacturing zones capable of serving both local reconstruction needs and export markets.
- Agricultural technology transfers to address water scarcity
Context: Why now?
The Anbar visit comes five months after Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's September 2025 trip to Muscat, where Iraq and Oman signed agreements spanning energy, logistics, tourism, mining, banking, and defense. The centerpiece was a deal between Iraq's State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO) and Oman's OQ to build a 10-million-barrel crude storage facility at Duqm port.
Separately, Oman has renewed its formal request to join Iraq's $17 billion Development Road project, which aims to link the southern port of Faw to Turkey via rail and highway. Anbar's proximity to these routes makes it a logical secondary market for logistics firms entering the Iraqi market.
What to watch
The delegation is expected to submit formal proposals for two joint-venture industrial parks by late March. A decision on land allocation for a proposed logistics center near Ramadi could come as early as April 15.
