Brief on India-Oman Economic and Commercial Relations

The economic and commercial relations between India and Oman are robust and buoyant. Bilateral trade during FY 2020-2021 stood at USD 5.4432 billion. Bilateral trade for the year 2021-2022 reached US$ 9.988 billion and for the year 2022-2023 (Apr-Jan) reached US$ 10.659 billion.  Investment flows, both ways, have been robust, as reflected in numerous joint ventures, established both in India and Oman.  There are over 6000 India-Oman joint ventures in Oman with estimated investment of over US$ 7.5 billion. Indian companies have emerged as leading investors in Oman, particularly at Sohar and Salalah Free Zones.

2. Both India and Oman accord high priority to strengthening economic and commercial relations between the two countries. Economic cooperation between India and Oman is reviewed thorough the institutional mechanism of India-Oman Joint Commission Meeting (JCM). Traditionally, meeting of India-Oman Joint Business Council (JBC) also takes place parallel to JCM and serves as a platform for interaction between captains of industry in India and Oman. The 10th Session of the India-Oman Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) was held on 11th May 2022 in New Delhi. It was co-chaired by Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and Textiles, Government of India and H.E. Qais bin Mohammed al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion of the Sultanate of Oman. The 10th Session of Joint Business Council (JBC) was also held on 12h May, 2022 in New Delhi with large participation of business and investor communities from both the countries is expected at the event. The JCM afforded an opportunity to review the entire gamut of bilateral economic relations between India and Oman.   It was agreed in the JCM to enhance collaboration across a range of fields with particular emphasis on the 3Ts (Trade, Technology, Tourism), food & agriculture, renewable energy including Green Hydrogen and Green Ammonia, health and pharmaceuticals, mining, manufacturing, IT, sports, culture, youth and tourism.

3. Key existing Agreements and MOUs relating to bilateral economic cooperation between India and Oman cover Legal and Judicial Cooperation in Civil & Commercial Matters; Avoidance of Double Taxation (Protocol amending certain provisions of DTAA is under negotiation); Oman-India Joint Investment Fund (OIJIF); Cooperation between the State Audit Institution  of  Oman  and  the Office of the  Comptroller  and  Auditor  General  of  India; and Cooperation in the fields of Tourism; Health; Peaceful use of Outer Space; Science & Technology; Civil Aviation; Energy including renewable energy – Wind Bio & Solar; Agriculture. The Agreement on Maritime Transport between India and Oman was signed during the visit of Hon’ble External Affairs Minister of India to Oman from 23-25 December 2019. An Agreement for cooperation in the field of Mining was signed in Muscat on 12 August 2021. Negotiations are in progress for a Bilateral Investment Treaty and renewal of MoU on Standards and Measures; and new MoUs for cooperation in the field of Road Transport and Highways; Information Technology etc.  The two countries also cooperate within the framework of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and an India-GCC Free Trade Agreement is also under consideration for some time.  

4. On 4th October, 2022, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) International Payments Ltd (NIPL) and Central Bank of Oman (CBO) during the visit of Hon’ble Minister of State for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs Shri V. Muraleedharan to Sultanate of Oman.  This MoU will enable the acceptance of Indian RuPay cards issued by banks in India at all OmanNet network ATMs, POS & E-commerce sites; as well as reciprocal acceptance of Oman cards/MPCSS in the networks of NPCI in India. The MOU will also enable building partnerships for real-time cross border remittances between India and Oman using UPI rails.  The MOU between NPCI and CBO is a milestone in bilateral relations between India and Oman and will play an important role in strengthening the people to people ties and benefiting both economies.

India-Oman Bilateral Trade

5. India is among Oman’s top trading partners. India is the 2nd largest market for Oman’s crude oil exports for the year 2022 after China. India is also the 4th largest market for Oman’s non-oil exports for the year 2022 after UAE, US and Saudi Arabia and 2nd largest source of its import after UAE.

India’s exports to Oman in FY 2021-2022 is US$ 3.148 billion. Oman is India’s 34th largest export market for the FY 2021-2022. India’s imports from Oman in FY 2021-2022 were US$ 6.840 billion. Oman is India’s 24th largest import source for the FY 2021-2022. Overall, Oman is India’s 31st largest trading partner in FY 2021-2022 with total trade of US$ 9.988 billion.

Year

Export from India

Import by India

Total trade

2017-2018

2,439.46

4,264.29

6,703.76

2018-2019

2,246.31

2,759.00

5,005.31

2019-2020

2,261.81

3,669.33

5,931.14

2020-2021

2,355.30

3,087.93

5,442.22

2021-2022

3,148.33

6,840.65

9,988.98

2022-2023

(Apr-Jan)

3,679.91

6,979.73

10,659.64

(Values in US $ Millions- Source DoC, GOI)

6. Main items of India’s exports to Oman: Mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation; articles of iron and steel; cereals; machinery and mechanical appliances; electrical machinery & equipment; rice; iron & steel; organic chemicals; etc. in addition to traditional export items like tea, coffee, spices, dairy produce, articles of apparel, meat and other food items, etc.

7. Main items of India’s imports from Oman: Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals crude; Liquified Natural Gas; petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons; mineral or chemical fertilizers (nitrogenous); salt, sulphur; earths and stone; plastering materials, gypsum, lime and cement; urea; crude oil (through spot purchase); aluminium; iron & steel; cement, asbestos, mica, organic chemicals; ores, slag and ash; etc.

8. Potentials for enhancing bilateral trade: India and Oman, given the advantage of proximity, connectivity and familiarity with each other’s markets, have great potentials for enhancing bilateral trade.  Even during COVID19, India has been a reliable source of supply for fruits, vegetables and other essential items to Oman. Some commodities with scope for more trade with Oman, as identified by Department of Commerce of India, include petroleum products, gems & jewellery, engineering products, pharmaceuticals, cement & ceramic products, products of chemicals & allied products, iron & steel products, ready made textiles, footwear, articles of plastic and other material. Indian Embassy has been encouraging Indian businesspersons to do more business with Oman in sectors with untapped potential like renewable energy, engineering goods, food security, power equipment, minerals and mining, IT & ITES, pharmaceuticals, etc. Oman Government is very keen to have direct links with India instead of depending on imports/exports through third Country.  This opens up a significant opportunity for Indian companies to tap the Omani markets. Oman Shipping Company has recently started operations to two ports in India – Nhava Sheva and Mundra – from Sohar Port in Oman.  

India-Oman Bilateral Investment

9. Investment flows, both ways, have been robust, as reflected in numerous joint ventures, established both in India and Oman. According to Oman’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry, there are over 6000 Indian enterprises and establishments in Oman with an estimated investment of over US$ 7.5 billion.

10. Oman-India Joint Investment Fund (OIJIF):  The OIJIF is a 50-50 Joint Venture between State Bank of India and State General Reserve Fund (which has now become Oman Investment Authority) of Oman. It was set up in July 2010 as a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to invest in India. OIJIF commenced its operations in 2011 with initial seed capital of US$ 100 million which was fully invested across seven Indian companies from diversified sectors (i.e. Solar Industries, ING Vysya Bank, HBL Power Systems, Indus Teqsite, GSP Crop Science, NCDEX and SSIPL). OIJIF Tranche-I had made three exits (two complete and one partial), with an internal rate of return of 35% and a multiple of 2.5 times, and has returned around 67% of the capital drawn down from investors.  Oman-India Joint Investment Fund (OIJIF) has invested its second tranche of USD 220 million in projects in India. OIJIF Fund II has acquired a 9.9 per cent stake in a Small Finance bank based in the north-western state of Punjab valued at Rs 84 crore (approximately Ro 4.5 million). It is the largest in the string of investments made from OIJIF’s second tranche in favour of well-established mid-market Indian-based firms. Previous transactions have benefited Divgi TorqTransfer, a leading manufacture of automotive drivetrain systems based in Pune; Stanley Lifestyles manufacturer of home furniture products; Annapurna Finance a well-known provider of microfinance; and PNB MetLife, a life insurance company; and  a 5% stake in Prince Pipes and Fitting Ltd for Rs100 crore. After successful utilization of funds under Tranche I and II, OIA and SBI are under negotiations for the 3rd Tranche of OIJIF and investments may start by the year 2023.  The estimated investment under 3rd Tranche is USD 300 million.

11. According to data of Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP), the cumulative FDI inflows from Oman during April-2000 to December 2022 is US$ 588.4716 million.  In February, 2021, Oman Oil Company, an Omani public sector company, which has 36.6% stake in Bharat Oman Refineries Limited (BORL) in the Bina Refinery, MP has sold its entire stake to Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPC) for Rs. 2400 Crore.

12. Indian investments in Oman: Indian firms have invested heavily in Oman in various sectors like iron and steel, cement, fertilizers, textile, cables, chemicals, automotive, etc.  Indian entities comprise the largest foreign investors in Sohar, with an estimated total Indian investment of over US$2 billion in projects from Larsen and Toubro, Jindal Shadeed Iron & Steel, Indsil Ferrochrome, Metkore Alloys & Industries, Moon Iron & Steel Company and SV Pittie Sohar Textiles, etc,. Sohar Port and Freezone and Madhav Surfaces (a JV between Al Khanjar Commercial Agencies, a subsidiary of Khimji Ramdas and Madhav Ashok Ventures Private Limited (MAVPL) based in India) signed a land lease agreement for establishment of a quartz manufacturing plant with total investment of US$ 10 million.  In Salalah, Indian investments are in manufacturing projects like TVS Chennai’s Dunes Oman LLC (automotive), Oswal Group’s Saltic FZCO (Chemicals), Hind Aluminium (Cables), Kailash Group’s guar processing unit,  Future Bio Organics, Deepak Nitrate, Petiva Sugar factory, etc. In Duqm Special Economic Zone also, an Indo-Oman JV Sebacic Oman has undertaken a US$ 62.7 million project for setting up the largest Sebacic acid plant in Middle-East.  “Skyline Dqum (previously known as ‘Little India’) a tourism complex project in Duqm, worth US$ 748 million on completion, has also been undertaken by the same Indian company.  ACME India Ltd has signed a deal to invest US $ 3.5 billion over the next three years to build a green hydrogen and green ammonia production complex at the port of Duqm in Oman. This will make ACME the first company to produce green hydrogen commercially in Oman. A MoU to set up the facility to produce 2,200 metric MT of green ammonia per day has been signed by the company with The Oman Company for the Development of the Special Economic Zone at Duqm (Tatweer).

13. In addition, Air India, L&T, Jindal, EPIL, Shapoorji Pallonji, Shriram, KEC International, etc.  are some of the well-known Indian companies which have been executing various projects in Oman. Indian firms have gained a reputation for excellence in sectors like construction and engineering, waste management, logistics, manufacturing, finance and capital, software solutions, communications, oil and gas etc.

14. Indian financial institutions such as State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, HDFC Ltd and ICICI Securities operate in Oman. Public Sector Undertakings such as Life Insurance Corporation (LIC), New India Assurance Co., Telecommunications Consultants India Ltd. (TCIL), Engineers India Ltd.(EIL), Engineering Projects India Limited (EPIL) and National Building Construction Company (NBCC)  have presence in Oman.


15. ITEC: Under the Indian Technical & Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme, Omani Officials have been availing training in many premier institutes of India. A total of 125 training slots were offered for Oman for FY 2019-2020 under the ITEC programme and 69 were utilized by Oman. In the year 2021-2022, 125 slots were allocated but due to Covid-19 pandemic, these slots could not utilized. However, during year 2020-2021, a total of 10 Omani candidates have been imparted training under e-ITEC programme in premier Indian institutes such as Lovely Professional University, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and National Institute of Health and Family Welfare in various courses. India has also offered increased number of slots under the self-financing category of the ITEC for training in Indian defence institutions to Officers and Sailors of Oman Navy.  In the year 2022-2023, 125 slots have been allocated.

Trade and investment promotion activities:

16. Indian business delegations, coordinated by various Indian Chambers, regularly visit Oman to participate in trade exhibitions like BIG Show, Infra Oman, COMEX, IMTEC, Oman Health Exhibition & Conference, Oman Food & Hospitality Exhibition, Mineral and Mining Exhibition, Oil and Gas West Asia, Oman Design & Build Week (ODBW), and Oman Real Estate Exhibition (OREX), Oman Plast etc. Similarly, Omani business delegations also visited India to participate in exhibitions related to sectors like Health, Food, Ceramics, IT and Electronics, etc. To facilitate interactions and tie-ups between business communities of India and Oman, Indian Embassy regularly organizes various sector–specific Business-to-Business Meetings. The Embassy also organizes ‘India Business Forum’ regularly and annual ‘Invest in India’ Seminars. The Embassy also organizes events aimed at promotion of tourism and medical tourism to India. During the year 2020-2021, due to the COVID-19 restrictions all commercial events were organized on virtual platforms. However, from November 2021, after relaxation in Covid-19 related restrictions, Mission has organized two physical roundtable meetings with CEOs of Indian and Omani businesses in Oman, two B2Bs with two delegations from FIEO, an important B2B event to promote tourism in India.  Further, in the year 2022, Mission organized various B2B events and meetings of delegations from India in association with FIEO, FICC and PHDCCI.

17. If you are looking to invest in India:

All facilitation and hand-holding support to investors under the “Make in India” program is being provided by Invest India.

Indian Embassy can also be contacted at  com.muscat[at]mea.gov.incom.oman[at]mea.gov.in and sscom.muscat[at]mea.gov.in.

Government of India’s policies related to investment : https://dipp.gov.in/policies-rules-and-acts/press-notes-fdi-circular

Trade Inquiries: The Embassy regularly responds to trade queries and facilitates in linking of exporters from India or Oman to potential importers in other country. Trade queries may be emailed at : com.muscat[at)mea.gov.in.

06 April 2023