Sohar and ewpartners Forge $1B Alliance to Cement Oman's Asia-GCC Gateway

MUSCAT, Oman – May 13, 2026 – In a significant move to bolster economic ties between Asia and the Gulf, Sohar International and the investment firm ewpartners have signed a strategic partnership poised to unlock approximately US$1 billion in financial cooperation and market opportunities. The alliance, formalized at Sohar International's headquarters, aims to create a powerful financial bridge facilitating trade, industrial projects, and cross-border investment, firmly positioning Oman as a pivotal gateway between the two dynamic regions.

This collaboration merges the extensive regional expertise and banking capabilities of Oman's fastest-growing bank with the specialized Asia-GCC investment network of ewpartners. It addresses a surging demand for integrated financial solutions required by Asian companies and large-scale industrial projects expanding into the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.

A Strategic Play for Oman's Economic Future

The partnership is more than a financial agreement; it is a cornerstone in the architectural blueprint of Oman Vision 2040. The Sultanate's long-term national strategy focuses on diversifying its economy away from oil dependence, with a goal for non-oil sectors to contribute over 90% of GDP. This new alliance directly fuels that ambition by targeting key growth sectors.

By creating a streamlined channel for foreign direct investment (FDI), the initiative supports Vision 2040's objective to increase foreign investment's share of GDP to 10%. The focus on digital infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, and logistics aligns perfectly with the nation's development priorities. Sohar International has already demonstrated its commitment to this national plan by signing a cooperation agreement with the Oman Vision 2040 Implementation Follow-Up Unit, making this partnership a tangible execution of that commitment.

The collaboration is set to enhance Oman's strategic geographical advantage, transforming it from a point on the map into a crucial financial and logistical hub. As complex international projects require navigating different banking systems, regulatory environments, and financing structures, this partnership aims to provide a seamless conduit, reinforcing Oman's role as a stable and attractive platform for international business.

Building on an Established Foundation

This strategic alliance is not the beginning of ewpartners' journey in Oman but rather a significant deepening of its established presence. The international investment firm, formerly known as eWTP Arabia Capital, has been a key player in the Asia-Middle East corridor since 2017 and has a proven track record of fostering cross-border growth, backed by major sovereign wealth funds.

ewpartners already operates a Muscat office, which serves as its local hub for industrial cooperation and investment flows. This new partnership builds upon a solid foundation, most notably the Oman Investment Authority's (OIA) US$150 million commitment to ewpartners' Technology Innovation Fund II. This commitment includes the creation of a local fund with Future Fund Oman, designed specifically to import Asian technologies and business models to build successful, job-creating enterprises within the Sultanate.

Furthermore, ewpartners has already made a multi-million dollar strategic investment in the United Solar Polysilicon plant in the Sohar Port Free Zone. This landmark US$1.6 billion industrial project, set to commence operations in 2025, marks ewpartners' first major foray into the energy transition sector and signals strong confidence in Oman's industrial capabilities.

Unlocking a Billion-Dollar Opportunity Pipeline

The headline figure of US$1 billion represents a target for facilitated economic activity rather than a single block of committed capital. A joint committee will be established to identify and evaluate initiatives, deploying this financial cooperation across a spectrum of instruments. The partnership will focus on bridging financial gaps through corporate, project, and industrial financing; trade finance; private credit; and structured financing solutions.

Key sectors poised for growth under this initiative include:

• Energy Transition: Building on the United Solar investment, the partnership will likely seek further opportunities in renewable energy, including solar, wind, and green hydrogen projects, which are central to Oman's long-term energy strategy.
• Advanced Manufacturing: The collaboration will support the development of industrial assets within Oman's special economic zones like Sohar, Duqm, and Salalah, attracting Asian manufacturers in fields like metal processing and high-tech production.
• Logistics and Consumer Enablement: Leveraging Oman's world-class ports and strategic location, the partnership will explore investments in warehousing, e-commerce logistics, and AI-driven supply chain optimization.
• Digital Infrastructure: With ewpartners' strong focus on technology, the alliance is expected to fund projects in digital solutions, cloud computing, and data centers, accelerating Oman's digital transformation.

A New Model for Cross-Border Finance

The synergy between Sohar International and ewpartners creates a novel and potent model for facilitating complex international business. Sohar International brings its deep understanding of the local market, regulatory landscape, and a full suite of banking solutions, including commercial and Islamic banking. ewpartners contributes its vast network of investors and portfolio companies across Asia, along with its expertise in structuring cross-border deals and fostering technology transfer.

Abdulwahid Mohamed Al Murshidi, Chief Executive Officer of Sohar International, commented on the strategic fit. "This cooperation reflects our shared ambition to strengthen financial connectivity between Oman, the wider GCC, and Asia," he stated. "By working together, we aim to support companies, industrial projects, trade flows, and cross-border investment opportunities, while reinforcing Oman's role as a regional platform for financial and business connectivity."

This sentiment was echoed by Jerry Li, Founder and Managing Partner of ewpartners. "Our partnership with Sohar International Bank strengthens ewpartners' local financial cooperation platform in Oman," Li added. "By combining Sohar International Bank's banking capabilities with ewpartners' Asia-GCC investment network, we aim to support portfolio companies, ecosystem partners, and industrial projects while enabling deeper participation by Oman's financial ecosystem in Asia-GCC business flows."

As global economic corridors continue to shift eastward, this partnership provides a powerful framework for capturing value and driving sustainable growth. It not only promises to accelerate Oman's economic diversification but also sets a new benchmark for how regional banks and international investment firms can collaborate to build the infrastructure of 21st-century trade.