Investment and economic cooperation at the forefront of Porto Muscat relationship

Mayor Rui Moreira recently visited Oman, in the context of the Design Muscat international conference, the first to be held in the south eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia.

Rui Moreira was a keynote speaker to explain the brand "Porto.", an international Case Study regarding city branding.

While in Oman, the Mayor of Porto met a number of high-ranking personalities including Ali Qassim Jawad Al Lawati, Chairman of OBF (Oman Business Forum) and President of Studies and Research of the Diwan of Royal Court.

Ali Lawati is one of the most prestigious personalities in the country and has lived many years in the USA. He has returned to the country upon request of the Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Al Said.

The excellent nature of the relationship between Muscat and Porto as well as the strong will to establish a strong cooperation in economic and strategic areas were clearly evident during the meetings held.

Also important was the meeting that took place in Ithraa, the counterpart of the Portuguese AICEP, where Mayor Rui Moreira was welcomed at the highest level by the Director-General Assan Qassim Al Busaidi and the Official in charge of Promotion and Investment, Faisal Ali Zaher Al Hinai.

The economic cooperation between the cities of Muscat and Porto were on the forefront of the meeting.

Regarding business cooperation, Rui Moreira was welcomed by Anees Sultan, the Chief Officer of the WJ Towell Group, one of the most relevant in the country and to which Porto can represent the gateway to Europe. Also, Director of Yahya Services, Nashia Yahya Nasibcujo and the Head of Business, the American Ken Mueller, of the Yahya Group, met Rui Moreira, and showed particular interest in the tourism sector in Porto.

In turn, Meng Wei, President of Shouk World, went to Oman strictly to meet Rui Moreira and discuss several business opportunities in Porto and investments in Portugal.

The Mayor of Porto also met Temitope Ola, President of EDACY, market leader in Africa and Oman, who is looking at Portugal as a "hub" to expand the technological centre to Portuguese speaking countries.

The entire visit of Rui Moreira to the capital city of Oman was accompanied by Inês Pires, a Portuguese citizen that lives in Oman and is the leader of ISPD - Impact, a consulting company specializing in international partnerships and economic diplomacy.

It is worth mentioning that the visit by the Mayor of Porto was useful, as well, in terms of contacts with the Portuguese community in that country, regarding the lack of a Portuguese Embassy or Consulate in Oman.

Starting next 2 July, Porto will have a direct flight to the Middle East, with Emirates operating from the Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport.

Currently, Oman Air, in code-share with Turkish Airlines, ensures a comfortable and quick link, with a stopover in Istanbul.