Oman is open for business once again following the devastation caused of Cyclone Gonu, Bahrain's ambassador to the country said.

Speaking from the Bahraini embassy in Muscat, Ismail Salim Ali said the country was taking steps towards resuming full business activity following the tropical storm, which killed 30 people and caused an estimated $4 billion of damage.

"Some businessmen are already coming here to do business with the government and other sectors. Oman is open for business - within one month it will be back to its former strength," he said.

Many businesses in the country, particularly those on Oman's coastline, closed before the arrival of Gonu, which brought 24 inches of rain to some parts of the country.

Many companies remained out of action in the immediate aftermath of the storm, but Ali said most were now back on their feet.

"Hotels which were closed are now open again, the airport is back to normal and by mid-summer I think Oman will have completely recovered.

"Especially Muscat is becoming the same Muscat as before. The damage is big and it would be for any country, but there has been progress over the last few weeks because they have worked very hard. The Omani government and people are very strong," he said

Reports in the aftermath of the cyclone said a number of Bahraini investors had seen land and property in Oman severely damaged by the strongest ever tropical storm to hit the Arabian Gulf, but Mr Ali said no one had contacted the embassy to report damage or ask for assistance.

"We do not know exactly where these investors are or how many of them there are because it is the private sector," he said.

The ambassador said there is not a sizable Bahraini population in Oman, and initial fears over a group of around 20 Bahraini students studying at a university in the country were swiftly allayed when embassy staff managed to make contact with them.

He also relived the fateful day that Gonu hit land, revealing that some damage was caused to the homes of Bahrain embassy staff.

"I was in my home that day, the Wednesday, because we took the decision to give all the people at the embassy a holiday.

"The wind reached around 120mph, and there was strong rain. Muscat is between the mountains and the sea - so we had water coming from the sea and water running down the mountains too," he said.

Asked if Bahrain was doing anything to help with the ongoing reconstruction efforts after Gonu damaged water and power installations and other crucial infrastructrure.

"Oman has refused anyone from outside's help - but we have already written to them to say 'if you need anything from Bahrain we are ready'," the ambassador said.