S. Korea, Oman discuss expanding economic cooperation in energy, plants and logistics

South Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said Trade Minister Kim Jung-kwan held a video call Sunday with Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef, chairman of Oman's Special Economic Zone Authority, to discuss key economic cooperation initiatives.

The meeting was arranged to strengthen ties with Oman as a potential alternative logistics hub and resource supply source amid continued uncertainty in the Middle East.

Kim expressed gratitude to the Omani government for cooperating on stable supplies of crude oil and naphtha following a visit by South Korea's special envoy for strategic economic cooperation in April, and asked for Oman's continued attention and support.

He also outlined the difficulties South Korean companies face when transporting cargo through Oman's Duqm Port to Saudi Arabia — including tariff payments and refunds within Oman and duplicate inspections and quarantine checks at the Saudi border — and urged Oman to help streamline those procedures.

Kim further requested support to allow South Korean companies to participate actively in new plant projects in Oman.

Both sides noted that the Korea-Oman Economic Cooperation Committee has not convened since 2016 and agreed to discuss the timing and agenda for resuming the meetings.

"Through this meeting and the future Economic Cooperation Committee, we will work to reinvigorate bilateral cooperation and actively explore ways to deepen ties in energy security, plant projects and logistics," Kim said.