On the sidelines of the Future Minerals Forum (FMF) in Saudi Arabia, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Karim Badawi, met with Mohsin Al-Hadhrami, Undersecretary of Oman’s Ministry of Energy and Minerals and Chairman of Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), to expand bilateral cooperation in the petroleum, natural gas, and mining sectors.

The ministers reviewed potential collaborations under last year’s Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), leveraging Oman’s advanced mining survey to optimize mineral exploitation, according to a statement by the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources (MoPMR).

Furthermore, Minister Badawi highlighted the ongoing transformation of the mining sector into a primary pillar of the national economy. A pivotal part of this transformation is the conversion of the Egyptian Mineral Resources Authority into the Mineral Resources and Mining Industries Authority (MRMIA)—an independent economic entity designed to streamline licensing and offer greater administrative flexibility.

To accelerate exploration and attract investments, the Ministry has introduced a comprehensive incentives package specifically tailored for small and mid-sized mining enterprises. 

Finally, the two ministers explored expanding the footprint of Egyptian service companies in Oman. Major players, including Engineering for the Petroleum and Process Industries (ENPPI) and the Petroleum Projects and Technical Consultations Company (PETROJET), are actively bidding for Oman’s oil and natural gas infrastructure projects.

Notably, PETROJET recently secured a $273 million contract for a 193-kilometer natural gas pipeline in the Sultanate, while the Egyptian Drilling Company (EDC) is finalizing registration for upcoming well-drilling tenders.