OCEC signs agreement to enhance business events sector in Oman

MUSCAT: In a move set to strengthen Oman’s position on the global business events stage, the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC)  has signed a strategic partnership agreement with the Head Office of KIT Group, a leading Professional Conference Organiser (PCO), Association Management Group and KIT (Middle East) Group.

Under the agreement, KIT Group will serve as an in-house professional conference organiser and preferred partner for regional and international events hosted at the Centre — marking a significant step toward elevating planning standards and service excellence.

The partnership reflects the Centre’s commitment to aligning with global best practices in event management. By leveraging international expertise in organizing and managing major conferences and associations, the collaboration aims to expand the range and scale of events hosted in the Sultanate of Oman, while fostering innovation and sustainability across the sector.

Officials say the agreement will help develop national competencies in the meetings and conferences industry, facilitate knowledge transfer to the local market, and enhance the overall efficiency of Oman’s business tourism ecosystem. It also supports broader national goals of economic diversification and reinforces Oman’s visibility on the global map for conferences and exhibitions.

Both parties share a vision of delivering “exceptional experiences and sustainable success,” seeking to shape the next phase of the business events sector in the Sultanate by creating world-class events that leave a lasting legacy for both the industry and the destination.

 Engineer Said bin Salim al Shanfari, CEO of the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre, described the partnership as a qualitative leap for the conferences and events sector. He emphasized that collaboration with experienced international partners will raise quality standards, maximize economic impact, and consolidate Oman’s standing as a leading destination for major global gatherings, in line with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040.

Khalid bin Walid Al-Zadjali, Director of the Oman Convention Bureau at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, said the agreement underscores the Bureau’s commitment to strengthening the conference ecosystem through effective international partnerships. He noted that such cooperation enhances sector efficiency, facilitates knowledge exchange, and further positions Oman as a competitive host for high-value international conferences and events.

The strategic alliance is expected to generate long-term value for Oman’s business tourism sector, attract high-impact regional and international events, and reinforce the Sultanate’s global standing in the international meetings industry.