Date: 12th & 13th November 2025
Location: Crowne Plaza, Al Qurum Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
RO 585 / USD 1500 per participant
English to Arabic translation will be
available during the course.
Completed Course Event Report Below
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Apply international best practices in FDI promotion and lead generation
- Navigate GCC investment ecosystems and regulatory frameworks
- Develop effective investment promotion strategies aligned with national and regional visions (e.g., Vision 2030, Vision 2040)
- Master investor engagement and relationship management techniques
- Generate and qualify investment leads using modern tools and methodologies
- Design and implement successful investor aftercare programs
- Develop compelling value propositions for countries, cities, or SEZs
- Understand what makes a SEZ successful and attractive to investors
Detailed Course Structure
Global FDI Landscape and the GCC Investment Environment
An overview of current FDI trends and performance, highlighting how clear policy frameworks, targeted incentives, and a conducive business culture can drive FDI growth in the GCC and Oman.
08:30 – 9:00 Coffee, tea and welcome
09:00 – 10:00 Introduction by Douglas van den Berghe, speakers and participants, and overview of the two days, expectations and objectives
10:00 – 11:00 Oman’s Economic Landscape, Need for Change and Role of FDI
- Oman's macroeconomic framework (1970–2025), with a focus on both local and global megatrends.
- Vision 2040: Oman’s aspiration to join the ranks of the world’s developed economies and the paradigm shift required in national business growth strategies.
- FDI Theoretical background
- FDI in Oman
11:00 – 11:15 Coffee/tea break
11:15 – 12:30 Global FDI landscape, dynamics and trends
- Global FDI landscape and emerging trends
- Geopolitical shifts and post-pandemic patterns
- International and regional competitiveness metrics
12:30 – 13:30 Lunch
13:30 – 14:30 Zone strategies today and tomorrow
- SEZs as growing influence on FDI
- Overview of successful GCC and global zones
- SEZ value added services as a new trend
- Green and Smart Zones
- Summary of good SEZ value propositions
14:30 – 16:00pm Working session and wrap- up of day
Practical interactive exercise: Participants in groups will identify what has worked well, what are the challenges and suggestions for improvement. Based on the morning session, participants will identify their interests and explore how they would navigate FDI opportunities and challenges drawing from their organisational experience.
Investment Promotion Strategy
Day 2 is all about understanding the investment attraction process, best practice, supporting material and tools, and the importance of investor aftercare.
09:00 – 9:30 Welcome and Coffee and tea
09:30 – 10:30 Strategic investment promotion framework
- The investor journey – stages investor decision and process
- Points of interaction with IPAs, SEZs, and authorities
- What do investors want and need?
- Case studies of corporate investment projects
10:30 – 10:45 Coffee/tea break
10:45 – 12:30 Investor Targeting, Engagement, Lead Generation strategies and Invest facilitation and Aftercare
- Lead generation methodologies
- Target market and sector prioritization and propositions
- Investor identification and qualification
- Tools: AI and digital tools for targeting and lead generation sales automation, email nurturing and CRM systems
- Dealing with investor enquiries and better communication – soft skills
- Aftercare design and follow up
12:30 – 13:30 Lunch
13:30 – 15:30 Group exercises and/or role play
Group 1 Before: Development of value propositions and/or lead generation campaigns. In groups, participants will design investor lead generation strategies for selected sectors, followed by role-play exercises simulating investor pitch, and discussions.
Group 2 After: Investor services and facilitation: Organizing site visits, hosting delegates, Single-window investor handling services and after care activities.
15:30 – 16:00 Closing of two-day training, feedback form for participants to complete and certification awards.
Teaching Methodology
- Interactive lectures
- Case study analysis
- Role-playing exercises
- Group discussions
- Practical workshops
Assessment Methods
- Daily practical exercises
- Group presentations
- Final knowledge assessment
- Participation in collaborative activities
Course Materials
- Course handbook and presentations
- Case study compilation
- Reference and reading guides
Certification Requirements
- Minimum 90% attendance
- Completion of all exercises
- Final assessment pass
- Active group participation
Key References
- UNCTAD World Investment Report
- WAIPA Best Practices
- National and regional Vision strategies (e.g., Saudi Vision 2030, UAE Vision 2021, Oman Vision 2040)
- National IPA guidelines
- International FDI case studies
Meet Your Instructors
Dr. Douglas van den Berghe
Dr. Douglas van den Berghe is currently the CEO of NxtZones – NwHrzn, and deputy chairman of FEMOZA. With more than 25 years of experience Douglas is considered one of the leading global experts on FDI, investment strategies, Special Economic Zones (SEZs), investment and incentives, and how to develop FDI policies for economic development and increase competitiveness. He has been an advisor to numerous governments and corporations, SEZs, and investment promotion agencies (IPAs) in countries in the Middle East, Africa and Latin America and various organizations including UNCTAD, UNDP, UNESCAP, World Bank, USAID, OECD, US State Department and the EU.
Dr. Yousuf Hamed Al Balushi
A leading expert in FDI and economic strategy, Dr. Yousuf brings over 25 years of experience from key roles at the Central Bank of Oman, the Supreme Council for Planning, and as a former Content Expert for Oman Vision 2040. He has served as an FDI advisor to the IMF and IFC, and holds a PhD in Economics from King’s College London, where his research focused on the impact of FDI on private sector efficiency. As founder of Smart Investment Gateway, Dr. Yousuf has trained and advised government agencies and IPAS across the GCC on strategic investment promotion, policy design, and economic transformation. He is also a published author on economic diversification and development in the Gulf.
Dr Adarsh Varma
Dr Adarsh Varma is senior economist with 18 years’ experience in trade, investment and development projects across Europe and the MENA region. He has previously worked for WSP, Burohappold and Ricardo as a senior director. He specializes in SEZ strategies and business models and more recently supporting clients comply with UN SDG and ESG standards. He was worked in over 30 countries and brings in multi-cultural ideas and best practices to create meaningful dialogue and solutions.
