Muscat: The Oman-India Business Forum, organized today in Muscat by the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), discussed opportunities to benefit from the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of India. The forum aimed to support economic diversification plans, enhance trade exchange, elevate the competitiveness of Omani companies, and open new horizons for the Omani private sector.
According to Oman News Agency, Faisal Abdullah Al Rowas, Chairman of the Board of Directors of OCCI, stated that CEPA represents a fundamental base for elevating Omani-Indian relations to broader levels of cooperation and partnership. The agreement is expected to enhance trade and investment movement between the two countries, providing the private sector in both nations with opportunities to increase exports, access new markets, and build investment partnerships in promising sectors. Oman's strategic location, logistical infrastructure, and economic zones will be key assets in leveraging these opportunities.
Al Rowas emphasized that the forum sought to translate the advantages of the agreement into practical opportunities through discussions between business owners and investors from both countries. He encouraged Omani business owners to learn about the agreement's benefits, study markets and products with export potential, and engage with Indian counterparts to explore partnership and investment opportunities.
Eng. Said Ali Al Abri, Member of the Board of Directors of OCCI, highlighted that the agreement is the first bilateral trade agreement for Oman, signed in December 2025 and effective from June 2026. The agreement provides significant trade advantages, including tariff reductions and covering diverse investment fields, facilitating customs procedures, digital trade, intellectual property, and professional mobility.
Prashant Pise, Ambassador-designate of India to Oman, stated that CEPA marks a new phase in Omani-Indian economic and trade relations, offering a framework for enhancing trade and investment. He invited companies from both countries to capitalize on the preferential benefits provided by the agreement and explore cooperation in vital economic sectors.
The forum featured keynote addresses from Dr. Yousuf Hamad Al Balushi and Dr. James J. Nedumpara, who emphasized the importance of transforming the agreement into a comprehensive platform for investment, production, and export. Panel discussions covered the implementation phases of the agreement and opportunities for joint projects.
An exhibition on the sidelines of the forum showcased products and services reflecting the economic cooperation between Oman and India. Bilateral meetings facilitated discussions on cooperation, partnership opportunities, and potential joint investments.
The forum concluded with a call for Omani companies to leverage the agreement's opportunities to expand their presence in Indian markets, increase exports, and build new commercial and investment partnerships.