ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Oman are looking to turn growing political ties into new opportunities in trade, transport, investment and technology as Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tarik prepares for his first official visit to Kazakhstan on Oct. 5-6.
The visit comes as both countries share an interest in adapting to changing connectivity patterns across Eurasia and the Middle East. They are also expanding cooperation into emerging areas such as artificial intelligence and digital technologies.
Badr Al Busaidi and Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Photo credit: Akorda
The visit follows a series of high-level contacts that have strengthened bilateral engagement in recent years.
High-level contacts build momentum
In February 2025, Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al-Busaidi made the first official visit by an Omani foreign minister to Kazakhstan. During talks in Astana, the sides discussed political, economic and cultural cooperation, with particular attention to energy, transport, logistics, finance and agriculture. They also highlighted the potential for Kazakhstan and Oman to serve as regional logistics hubs.
Kazakh officials noted that the number of Kazakh citizens visiting Oman had increased by 37% the previous year, reaching around 21,000. Oman subsequently introduced a 30-day visa-free regime for Kazakh citizens, facilitating tourism and people-to-people contacts.
In April 2026, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev received Oman’s Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said. The meeting added momentum to efforts to strengthen economic and investment cooperation.
Oman’s Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said met with Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov on April 24 in Astana. Photo credit: primeminister.kz
Kazakhstan’s Samruk-Kazyna and the Oman Investment Authority have also been working to expand investment cooperation, including through a proposed joint investment platform and other mechanisms for financing projects.
The economic relationship includes several major projects. The joint investment portfolio comprises five projects worth $3 billion, including two projects worth $1.1 billion that have been implemented in the energy and rail transport sectors. Projects involving ore processing are also under way.
Logistics at the center of cooperation
Transport and logistics are emerging as key areas of Kazakhstan-Oman cooperation.
For Kazakhstan, cooperation with Oman provides another channel for engagement with the Gulf region, while Oman can strengthen its economic and transport links with Central Asia. Oman’s geographic position and maritime infrastructure could support Kazakhstan’s efforts to diversify export and transit routes. Kazakhstan’s position at the heart of Eurasia, meanwhile, offers Oman an additional link to Central Asian markets and wider continental trade networks.
According to Assylan Smagulov, a master of political science and director of the Voice of Youth Public Foundation, Oman’s Vision 2040 strategy places emphasis on reducing dependence on the extractive sector and diversifying the economy through areas including information technology and digital government.
“Both Oman and Kazakhstan have a similar task: to diversify our economies and become more independent. Kazakhstan is particularly interesting because of the ports of Aktau and Kuryk on the Caspian Sea, as well as its railway network,” Smagulov told The Astana Times.
Kazakhstan and Oman have previously discussed creating a joint logistics company to develop transport links. At the same time, disruptions and geopolitical tensions affecting routes through Iran have highlighted the risks and constraints of corridors that depend heavily on a single transit route.
For both countries, this makes the diversification of routes and stronger transport connectivity an increasingly important part of the economic agenda.
Smagulov said Oman sees potential in Kazakhstan’s role as a transit link between China and Europe, as well as in the country’s broader economic and digital development.
“Transit from China to Europe through Kazakhstan can take around 18 to 19 days. The same journey through the Suez Canal can take 45 to 60 days, particularly amid disruptions caused by crises in the Middle East. That is why Oman sees potential in developing this transport corridor and the direct benefits it could bring,” he said.
Smagulov noted that Kazakhstan’s economic position, digital development and transport infrastructure make it a potential partner for Oman in Central Asia.
“Oman needs a concrete and reliable partner in the Central Asian region where its investments can be protected and development remains predictable. Kazakhstan’s GovTech capabilities and transport and logistics potential are among the areas of particular interest,” he said.
AI enters the bilateral agenda
The scope of cooperation is now expanding beyond traditional sectors.
On Aug. 31, Kazakhstan and Oman held the second round of political consultations in Astana, co-chaired by Kazakhstan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Arman Issagaliyev and Oman’s Undersecretary for Political Affairs Khalifa Al-Harthy. The talks covered joint projects in AI and new technologies, as well as cooperation in energy, mining and metallurgy, food production, transport and logistics.
On Aug. 31, Kazakhstan and Oman held the second round of political consultations in Astana. Photo credit: gov.kz
Separately, Kazakhstan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Alibek Kuantyrov met with Al-Harthy to discuss bilateral cooperation and current issues on the regional and international agenda.
The two sides also discussed establishing a Kazakhstan-Oman Business Council and a joint investment fund to strengthen business contacts, expand investment cooperation and support joint projects.
According to Smagulov, Oman’s growing interest in Kazakhstan could create opportunities for investment in technology and other emerging sectors.
“Over the past two years, we have laid the groundwork. When Omani representatives visited Kazakhstan, we introduced them to Alem.ai, Astana Hub and other projects. One potential area of cooperation is Omani investment in Kazakhstan’s digital sector, including through equity participation,” Smagulov said.
He added that such cooperation could also create opportunities for Omani financing in sectors including energy, logistics and environmental projects.
