New Delhi, Jan 10 (NationPress) The India–Oman CEPA creates a robust framework that encompasses trade in goods and services, investment, professional mobility, and regulatory cooperation, while ensuring a balanced market access and safeguards. This initiative is anticipated to enhance bilateral trade, create jobs, fortify supply chains, and foster deeper, more sustained economic ties between India and Oman, as stated in an official announcement this Saturday.

Bilateral trade has been a crucial aspect of cooperation between India and Oman, with both nations recognizing the potential for greater growth and diversification in their trade relations.

In the fiscal year 2024–25, the trade volume between the countries reached $10.61 billion, a rise from $8.94 billion in FY 2023–24. Trade figures from April to October 2025 registered at $6.48 billion.

The CEPA grants India 100 percent duty-free access for its exports to Oman, covering 98.08 percent of Oman’s tariff lines and representing 99.38 percent of India’s trade value, based on average figures from 2022–23. All zero-duty concessions come into effect from the first day of the agreement, ensuring immediate clarity for exporters.

Currently, only 15.33 percent of India’s export value and 11.34 percent of tariff lines (2022–24 average) enjoy zero duty under the Most Favored Nation (MFN) regime in Oman. With CEPA, Indian exports to Oman, which previously faced duties up to 5 percent, valued at about $3.64 billion, are expected to experience significant gains in price competitiveness.

The agreement opens up export avenues in sectors such as engineering goods, pharmaceuticals, agriculture and processed food, marine products, textiles, chemicals, electronics, plastics, and gems and jewellery.

A carefully calibrated liberalization strategy, including an exclusion list, shields sensitive sectors while supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), labor-intensive industries, and regional export growth, according to the official statement.

“With enhanced access to Oman’s import market of over $28 billion, combined with streamlined regulatory procedures, reduced compliance requirements, and quicker market entry, Indian exporters are well-positioned to expand their footprint across various product categories,” it added.

Simultaneously, India has included several tariff lines in the exclusion list, aiming to protect vital domestic sectors and sensitive value-chain industries while safeguarding manufacturing competitiveness and farmers' interests.