Oman and China to cooperate on CBDCs and AI

Oman and China, during the meetings in Oman signed several memorandums of understanding, including agreements on AI, digital economy, and CBDCs.

Ahmed bin Jaafar Al Musalami, Governor of Central Bank of Oman, said the arrangement reflected the two countries’ commitment to deepening financial and economic ties. Cooperation on CBDCs will also facilitate the exchange of technical expertise, drawing on China’s experience in the field.

They also signed a protocol on Omani date exports expanding cooperation across finance, technology, industry, trade and investment, as well as agreements on satellite navigation, industrial supply chains, renewable energy, environmental protection, and archival cooperation.

His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and Chinese President Xi Jinping presided over the signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, during His Majesty’s state visit to China.

A key agreement between the Central Bank of Oman and the People’s Bank of China provides for local currency exchanges, aimed at strengthening financial cooperation and supporting economic stability.

The commercial significance of the agreements comes against the backdrop of growing bilateral trade. Anwar bin Hilal Al Jabri, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, said trade between the two countries reached approximately RO9.6bn equivalent to $25 million in 2025, making China Oman’s largest trading partner and accounting for 23.8% of its total trade.

Two years ago, Oman had stated that it was preparing a crypto regulation framework, and yet nothing has come of this to date. CBDCs are part of the digital asset realm and key to digital economy.