The talks focused on concrete projects. Kazakhstan and Oman are looking to expand cooperation across several strategic sectors, from energy and transport to food production and artificial intelligence, DKNews.kz reports.
The second round of political consultations between the foreign ministries of Kazakhstan and Oman was held in Astana. The talks were co-chaired by Arman Isagaliyev, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and Khalifa Al-Harisi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman for Political Affairs.
Energy and mining remain key areas of cooperation
A major part of the talks focused on expanding trade, economic and investment cooperation.
The two sides stressed the importance of continuing mutually beneficial cooperation in energy and the mining and metallurgical sectors.
Economic ties between Kazakhstan and Oman already include several major projects. Earlier reports indicated that the joint investment portfolio of the two countries includes five major projects worth around $3 billion.
Some of these projects are related to energy and railway transportation.
We previously reported on Oman’s growing interest in Kazakhstan as a destination for new investment. The mining sector has also emerged as a separate area of investment cooperation.
Artificial intelligence enters the bilateral agenda
The talks also covered joint projects in artificial intelligence and new technologies.
Specific project parameters have not yet been disclosed. Still, the inclusion of AI in the official negotiating agenda shows that Kazakhstan–Oman cooperation is expanding beyond traditional areas such as energy and natural resources into technology-driven sectors.
The two countries have discussed technological cooperation before.
We previously reported on Kazakhstan and Oman’s plans to develop cooperation in fintech and financial innovation. Those talks also included the presentation of Kazakhstan-developed IT solutions and prospects for digital projects.
Food production and logistics projects were also discussed
Another part of the economic agenda focused on food production, transport and logistics.
Oman’s geographical position is particularly relevant for Kazakhstan. Its port infrastructure on the Arabian Sea could provide additional routes for Kazakh cargo to reach Gulf markets and other international destinations.
The two countries have previously tested such transport links.
We earlier reported on the launch of the Almaty–Bandar Abbas–Muscat overland freight route. At the time, Oman was also considered a potential transit hub for Kazakh exports.
The latest consultations show that transport and logistics remain an important part of the bilateral economic agenda.
Kazakhstan and Oman discuss cooperation in international organizations
The political consultations went beyond economic issues.
The two sides exchanged views on current regional and global developments and discussed cooperation within the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia, and the Islamic Organization for Food Security.
They also discussed prospects for interregional cooperation within the Central Asia–Gulf Cooperation Council format.
For Kazakhstan, this mechanism provides an opportunity to deepen engagement with Gulf states not only bilaterally but also within a broader Central Asian framework.
Schedule of upcoming high-level meetings agreed
Kazakhstan and Oman reaffirmed their mutual interest in further strengthening a political dialogue based on trust.
Following the meeting, the two sides agreed on a schedule of upcoming high-level and senior-level events. Specific dates and formats have not yet been disclosed.
We previously reported on the prospects for joint Kazakhstan–Oman projects. At that time, transport, logistics, agriculture and digitalization were among the main areas of cooperation.
The agenda has now expanded to include artificial intelligence and new technologies, while energy, mining and metallurgy, and logistics remain central pillars of the economic partnership between Kazakhstan and Oman.
