It was signed in Muscat on Monday between the chambers of commerce and industry in the two countries on the sidelines of a visit to Oman by Elyor Ganiev’s, Uzbekistan’s Minister of Foreign Economic Relations, Investments and Trade.

Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) Chairman Khalil bin Abdullah al Khonji said the agreement was aimed at "strengthening partnership and cooperation between private sector establishments, promote visits between businessmen and remove trade barriers."

He added that an Omani trade delegation would pay a visit to Uzbekistan in April "to explore aspects of joint economic cooperation... Many opportunities are available to enhance co-operation and partnership."

Khonji noted that currently bilateral trade was ’minimal’, also calling for establishment of joint ventures, operation of direct flights between the two countries and setting up of an Oman-Uzbekistan Businessmen Council.

He urged the Omani private sector to benefit from Uzbekistan’s expertise in the area of food processing, agriculture and national manpower training.

Meanwhile, Dr. Rajha bint Abdulameer bin Ali, Tourism Minister, conferred with Ganiev, and later in remarks to reporters, said the two sides discussed opening of tourism offices in each other’s country to ease travel by holidaymakers.

She pointed out that Uzbekistan was one of the Islamic countries that was home to "considerable Islamic heritage in its major cities, such as Tashkent, Bukhara and Samarkand, which annually attract about one to three million tourists from the Central Asian Region."

The two ministers also explored the possibility of signing a Memorandum of Understanding on tourism co-operation.