“It has become my favorite country in the world,” she told a room full of Filipino and Omani leaders gathered in Cebu. Her voice was steady, but the emotion behind it was clear. “And I want more Filipinos to see what I’ve seen.”
That message set the tone for the Cebu-Oman Investment Forum, held at the Fili Hotel in NUSTAR. More than a gathering of dignitaries, it signaled a new era of access — for trade, tourism, and opportunity.
Visa-Free, Business-Ready
The biggest development wasn’t in a brochure. It came straight from Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi, who announced that
Filipinos can now travel to Oman visa-free for up to 14 days.
That’s not just a policy change — it’s a shift in who gets to participate.
“This forum is an invitation to think big, explore, and invest in each other’s future,” said Albusaidi.
For many Filipinos, especially those long accustomed to complicated visa processes, this feels personal. And it’s just the beginning.
Oman is also opening a consulate in Cebu, expanding direct flights, and preparing to launch a Golden Visa program for investors and skilled professionals.
“These are exciting developments that will make investment and cultural exchange more accessible,” Mikaela added.
Why Oman, Why Now?
Oman isn’t simply building infrastructure — it’s building a future.
Under Vision 2040, the Sultanate is investing in real estate, tourism, renewable energy, logistics, and artificial intelligence. Countries around the world are responding, and Mikaela believes Filipinos deserve a front-row seat.
“The rest of the world is investing. We should, too,” she said.
As the forum’s lead organizer, working closely with the Omani Foreign Ministry and the Oman Chamber of Commerce, Mikaela framed the moment as a rare chance for Filipinos to act early — and act smart.
Plans are also in motion for a follow-up Oman-Cebu Investment Forum in 2026, giving Filipinos the chance to expand this conversation on Omani soil.
A Two-Way Street
For the Cebu business community, the forum marked more than diplomacy. It was action.
Jay Yuvallos, President of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, made a strong case: “Invest in Cebu, prosper in paradise,” he said, pointing to Cebu’s skilled workforce, competitive advantages, and rising quality of life.
The launch of the Cebu Investment Center adds real infrastructure to support international partnerships and regional growth.
Panel discussions featured voices like Franco Soberano (Cebu Landmasters), Samantha Manigsaca (AppleOne), Aseem Roy (CIB.O), and Paulette Liu (Primary Group), covering real estate, tourism, manufacturing, and workforce development.
On the Omani side, speakers shared insights that spanned across logistics, tourism, urban development, energy, and tech innovation.
Sayyid Nasr Albusaidi of the Asyad Group spoke on the future of logistics and connectivity across the Gulf, while Mohammad Khalifa Al Qasimi from the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism highlighted Oman’s cultural assets and the role of sustainable tourism in driving growth.
Urban planner Yaqoob Amer Al Harthi offered a glimpse into Oman’s smart city initiatives, linking urban development with long-term livability. Hafsa Rashid Al Subhi, representing Hydrom, emphasized renewable energy and green hydrogen as key frontiers for investment.
Meanwhile, Abdullah Al Amri of Khazaen Economic City outlined infrastructure opportunities for industrial and logistics hubs. Closing the panel, Dr. Said Al Hasni of Youverse presented Oman’s ambitions in digital ecosystems and innovation-driven entrepreneurship.
Their presentations reinforced Oman’s growing interest in cross-border innovation, sustainability, and logistics.
What It Means for You
This isn’t just about billion-peso ventures.
For freelancers, small business owners, creatives, and skilled workers, visa-free access means new space to move, connect, and grow.
For Cebuanos, the incoming consulate could mean faster document processing, clearer pathways for engagement, and a higher profile for local innovation.
And for the broader Filipino public, it reframes our place in the global conversation—not as laborers or guests, but as partners.
“It’s not just for businessmen in suits,” said Mikaela. “It’s for freelancers, nurses, engineers, and dreamers.”
A Quiet Opening, A Bold Invitation
As the forum drew to a close, Mikaela offered a final invitation—not just to investors, but to every Filipino ready for something bigger.
“I invite you to visit Oman—not just for business, but for its natural beauty, its culture, and its people. This isn’t just an event. It’s the beginning of something more.”
The applause was warm, but what lingered wasn’t the noise—it was the feeling that global opportunity, for once, didn’t seem so far away.
Now, Oman is just one flight away from Cebu.
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