Oman and Liverpool City Region advance partnership at MIPIM

Muscat, Oman: Senior leaders from the Sultanate of Oman and the Liverpool City Region have advanced their growing partnership during high-level meetings at MIPIM, focusing on urban regeneration, innovation and international collaboration.

His Excellency Dr Khalfan Al Shueili, Minister of Housing and Urban Planning (MoHUP), held strategic discussions with Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram and Liverpool City Council Leader Cllr Liam Robinson, as both sides explored opportunities to deepen cooperation across key sectors.

The discussions centred on mutual priorities including urban regeneration, waterfront development, cultural exchange, innovation and international trade, reflecting a shared ambition to strengthen long-term economic and development ties.

Omani officials outlined the scale of opportunity emerging under Oman Vision 2040, highlighting a pipeline of projects spanning new cities, eco-tourism destinations, housing, healthcare, education, rail connectivity and national infrastructure.

Both parties explored pathways for structured collaboration, including knowledge exchange, reciprocal visits and sustained engagement between civic and ministerial leadership.

Liverpool’s transformation model highlighted

Liverpool City Region’s transformation over the past two decades was presented as a reference point for regeneration-led growth, driven by investment in culture, tourism, sport and innovation.

The region’s global profile includes its role as European Capital of Culture 2008, participation in World Expo 2010 Shanghai, hosting of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, and its status as a major international cultural destination. It is also home to two Premier League football clubs and England’s Golf Coast, while being recognised by Guinness World Records as the World Capital of Pop.

Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram, said: “It was a great honour to meet His Excellency again during MIPIM, and I was delighted to welcome the opportunity for thoughtful and engaging discussions about a potential partnership. “The Liverpool City Region is advancing one of the UK’s most ambitious growth plans, supported by a landmark investment fund that is driving innovation, regeneration, and sustainable economic development at scale. “Oman’s Future Cities programme reflects a similarly bold and forward looking vision. Exploring how our approaches can complement one another opens exciting possibilities for shared expertise, new investment pathways, and long term value for both our regions. “I’m really encouraged that from the conversations we had last year at MIPIM that it’s resulted in some job creation and I look forward to more announcements on the job front between Oman and the Liverpool City Region in the near future.”

Strengthening Oman’s global positioning

As part of its broader participation at MIPIM, Oman secured international recognition with the admission of Greater Muscat to the Global Business Districts Innovation Club, joining a network of leading global districts including Paris La Défense, Chicago Loop Alliance, Toronto Waterfront BIA, Liverpool BID Company and AUDA (Casa Anfa) Morocco.

This milestone enhances Oman’s global visibility while providing access to international best practices in urban development, investment attraction and district management.

Liverpool’s programme at MIPIM supported Oman’s integration into this network, including participation in The Global City Advantage session, where Greater Muscat engaged with global peers and gained early insights into strategies for building competitive and investment-ready business districts.

The programme also included a dedicated working session between Monica Bik, Planning Advisor to MoHUP, and Bill Addy, Chief Executive of Liverpool BID Company, to explore practical steps toward formalising a partnership between Muscat and Liverpool’s Commercial District.

The discussions build on earlier engagements and reflect a growing commitment from both sides to develop a structured framework for collaboration, positioning the partnership as a platform for long-term economic and urban development exchange.