Australia Oman relationship strengthens with formation of Business Council. The Australia Oman Business Council (AOBC) has recently been established as an Incorporated Association. At its first meeting in May, it adopted the mission statement: "Promoting bilateral business, trade, interests and investment between Australia and the Sultanate of Oman".

AOBC was initiated in response to the formation of the Oman Australia Business Council in Oman that has conducted two meetings in the capital, Muscat. The inaugural meeting of the AOBC in Melbourne was chaired by Mr Syd Giller, who has a longstanding trading relationship with Omani companies and is the immediate past President of the Australia Arab Chamber of Commerce & Industry Inc. AACCI has been pivotal in the creation of the AOBC, through discussions with the Oman Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and has been closely supported by the Consulate-General of the Sultanate of Oman in Melbourne.

Discussions in the recent meeting focussed on achieving the mission statement objectives. Mr Giller explains "the purpose of the Councils is to assist leading companies from each country into large projects and investments in the other country, by accessing to critical decision makers in both the private sector and government." Mr Giller continued, “AOBC is currently made up of 10 invited members from different industries, and all have significant business interests in Oman. It is through these high profile individuals and their networks that the Council aims to build increasing high level relationships to grow business and investment between the two countries.”

To kick start this, AOBC is planning a trade mission to Oman later this year. The trade mission is aimed at senior directors and CEO’s of leading companies from industries such as; construction, engineering, tourism, finance and transport/logistics that are interested in exploring Oman project and investment opportunities. Mr Giller says "Oman is planning to spend USD 85 billion on infrastructure and tourism developments in the next 10 years. Ports, airports, roads, rail, refinery, tourist complexes, etc. are to be developed, or extended. The trade mission will provide the opportunity for Australian companies to participate in these projects."