Oman-India Economic Ties Transitioning to Strategic Partnerships, Says Consul General

Economic ties between India and Oman are moving away from traditional buyer-seller transactions toward strategic business partnerships. According to Oman’s Consul General Mahboob Issa Al Raisi, the collaboration offers significant opportunities across trade, manufacturing, logistics, ports, and investment.

Speaking at the third edition of the CII Gujarat Export Conclave 2026 in Ahmedabad, Raisi highlighted Oman's geographical advantage. He noted that the country is strategically positioned to serve as a gateway for Indian businesses seeking to expand their reach into the Gulf, East Africa, and wider international markets. Indian companies can leverage Oman’s logistics capabilities to strengthen supply chains and access new regions.

The push toward deeper integration builds upon recent trade agreements. India and Oman signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which came into force on June 1, 2026. The agreement provides duty-free access for 99.38 per cent of India’s exports to Oman by value, covering 98.08 per cent of its tariff lines.

Government data indicates that the agreement has already yielded measurable results. Since June 1, 2026, 783 Certificates of Origin have been issued. Furthermore, the number of tariff lines at the HS 8-digit level exported to Oman rose from 2,879 in May 2026 to 3,371 in June 2026. Exports across these lines increased to $622.8 million in June, up from $402.7 million in May.

Bilateral economic activity has steadily expanded over recent fiscal periods. According to government data, bilateral trade between India and Oman grew to $10.61 billion in FY 2024-25, compared to $8.94 billion in FY 2023-24. Trade during the period of April to October 2025 stood at $6.48 billion. India’s merchandise exports to Oman reached $4.02 billion in FY 2025-26, while imports from Oman stood at $6.55 billion in FY 2024-25 and $3.91 billion between April and October 2025.

"The transition of economic ties between India and Oman into structured strategic partnerships marks a positive development for businesses looking to scale internationally. With the implementation of the CEPA agreement and immediate growth in export lines, Indian enterprises, including growing businesses and manufacturers, have a clear framework to leverage Oman as a logistics hub for the Gulf and East African markets. Bilateral trade figures demonstrate the tangible impact of trade facilitation policies on cross-border commerce." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes