Canadian project development firm Canada Business Holdings Inc (CBH) has announced plans to explore energy-related investment opportunities in Oman. The company, based in Ottawa, made the announcement on July 18, signaling a strategic shift following the suspension of its previously proposed petroleum refinery project in Tunisia.
CBH had been engaged in the development of the Skhira refinery project in Tunisia, which aimed to establish a modern facility with a processing capacity of approximately 300,000 barrels per day. The refinery was intended to produce cleaner petroleum products in accordance with international fuel standards. However, after a prolonged phase of technical evaluation, strategic planning, and consultations with Tunisian stakeholders, the company decided to pause progress on the project for a period of ten years.
Turning its attention to Oman, CBH cited the country’s strategic geographic location, investor-friendly frameworks, and its expanding role as a regional energy hub as key factors underpinning its interest. The company is currently assessing opportunities across Oman’s downstream energy, industrial, and infrastructure sectors.
“CBH is actively assessing jurisdictions where government responsiveness, regulatory certainty and investment protection align with the requirements of major international projects,” said Moses Solomon, Chairman of CBH. The company emphasized that any future investments in Oman will be contingent on comprehensive technical, financial, regulatory, environmental, and geopolitical evaluations, along with the identification of appropriate technology, engineering, and operational partners.
Founded in 2006, CBH specializes in public-private partnerships and has a diverse portfolio spanning infrastructure, energy, industrial development, logistics, healthcare, and strategic real estate projects. The firm collaborates with government entities and private-sector partners to develop large-scale ventures internationally. The exploration of opportunities in Oman marks the latest phase in CBH’s evolving global energy investment strategy.