Kochi recently hosted a high-level seminar aimed at deepening economic collaboration between India and Oman under the framework of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Senior government officials, diplomats, policy experts, and business leaders from both countries convened to examine trade, investment, and sectoral cooperation opportunities across infrastructure, healthcare, manufacturing, and logistics.
The seminar featured virtual participation from India’s Ambassador to Oman and Oman’s Consul General in Mumbai. Delegates emphasised Oman’s investor-friendly regulatory environment, highlighting expanding prospects in industrial development, special economic zones, and priority sectors aligned with Oman Vision 2040. Officials stressed the potential for private-sector partnerships and cross-border collaboration to accelerate growth in both economies.A dedicated panel discussion moderated by a senior member of Oman’s Foreign Investment Committee focused on practical strategies for bilateral engagement. Panelists, including executives from healthcare, construction, and trade, discussed sector-specific initiatives, regulatory alignment, and export facilitation measures that could help Indian and Omani businesses collaborate effectively. Presentations addressed tariff concessions, market access, digital trade frameworks, and the role of special economic and free zones such as Duqm in fostering strategic investments.
Experts highlighted that CEPA provides structured mechanisms for enhancing bilateral commerce, creating jobs, and improving industrial linkages. For India, the agreement opens avenues for service exports, infrastructure projects, and technology-enabled partnerships. For Oman, the agreement strengthens trade diversification, foreign investment inflows, and integration with regional supply chains.The programme was jointly organised by FICCI Kerala, INMECC, the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), and India’s Centre for Trade and Investment Law (CTIL), reflecting a coordinated effort to bridge government, industry, and legal frameworks for cross-border investment. Participants noted that sustained dialogue and collaboration under CEPA can enable scalable projects in logistics, healthcare, and industrial sectors while promoting sustainable economic growth.Officials concluded that leveraging CEPA effectively requires ongoing public-private engagement, clarity on regulatory frameworks, and sector-focused investment initiatives. The seminar reinforced the strategic importance of India–Oman economic ties and set the stage for targeted collaboration in infrastructure, industrial partnerships, and trade facilitation over the coming years.
India Oman CEPA Seminar Strengthens Economic Ties
