Muscat: Qais Mohammed Al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion held a meeting at the ministry's premises in Muscat today with Iwata Kazuchika, Japanese State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry. The two sides discussed means of expanding horizons of trade and investment cooperation between Oman and Japan. On the sidelines of the meeting, the two countries signed a joint statement related to enhancing cooperation in the trade sector, exploring investment opportunities, and supporting cooperation between the public and private sectors in the two countries. The joint statement also covered the exchange of trade missions in areas of interest to Omani and Japanese companies, in addition to discussing the development of human resources that contribute to further economic growth between the two friendly countries, enhancing the business environment, exchanging experiences in organizing commercial work, overcoming difficulties, and increasing trade exchange between the Sultanate of Oma n and Japan. The statement was signed from the Omani side by Dr. Saleh Said Masn, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion for Commerce and Industry. While it was signed from the Japanese side by Iwata Kazuchika, State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry. The volume of trade exchange between Oman and Japan reached about RO 1.3 billion in 2023. The signing of the joint statement underscores the close relations between the two countries towards continuously enhancing trade exchange and creating strategic economic partnerships in various fields Source: Oman News Agency