Page 2 - Oman

Arab countries next target of US, Israel, says J&K Ex-CM Farooq Abdullah

National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah warned the Arab countries on Monday that they will be the next target of Israel and the US as Tel Aviv and Washington are eyeing their oil and gas. "It is their (United States') long-time policy that Iran should not become a nuclear power. Even the Sunni countries in the region are against it but they do not have the courage to speak up. "Today, they think Iran has been attacked, but I want to warn them through you that one day, Israel will attack them also, because they want their wealth like oil and gas. Israel is only a facade, America is standing right behind," Abdullah told reporters after a party meeting at Nawa-i-Subah here. Asked about the impact of the escalation of the war in the Middle East, the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said it will severely affect the economic condition of all countries. "I am hopeful that the (other) world powers are watching the situation. If this (war) escalates, the economic condition

US-Iran nuclear talks in Oman cancelled after Israel's strikes on Tehran

Oman's foreign minister says planned talks between Iran and the United States over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear programme will not now take place after Israel's strikes targeting the Islamic Republic. Badr al-Busaidi made the announcement on social media Saturday. It comes after Iran's foreign minister said any talks would be unjustifiable amid the ongoing attacks. Oman has been mediating the talks. The Iran US talks scheduled to be held in Muscat this Sunday will not now take place, al-Busaidi wrote. But diplomacy and dialogue remain the only pathway to lasting peace. A sixth round was due to happen in Muscat, Oman's capital, before the Israeli strikes began Friday.

Sixth round of talks between Iran, US to take place on Sunday, says Oman FM

There will be a sixth round of negotiations between Iran and the United States over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear programme this weekend, Oman's foreign minister said Thursday. Badr al-Busaidi made the announcement on the social platform X. I am pleased to confirm the 6th round of Iran US talks will be held in Muscat this Sunday the 15th, he wrote. Iran for days had been saying there would be talks, but Oman, which is serving as the mediator, had not confirmed them until now. There was no immediate comment from the US. Tensions have been rising over the last day in the region, with the US drawing down the presence of staffers who are not deemed essential to operations in the Middle East and their loved ones due to the potential for regional unrest.

Good news very soon on India-Oman free trade agreement: Piyush Goyal

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has said that negotiations between India and Oman for the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) are progressing, and some "good news" may come "very soon" on that. The negotiations received a much-needed impetus after the visit of Goyal to Muscat in January this year. The talks for the agreement, officially dubbed as the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), formally began in November 2023. "I think you will see some good news very soon on the Oman FTA," the minister told reporters here when asked whether the FTA talks with Oman can be concluded this year. Goyal is here on an official visit to hold talks with French leaders and businesses to boost trade and investments. He will also attend a mini-ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organization (WTO) on June 3. In such agreements, two trading partners either significantly reduce or eliminate customs duties on a maximum number of goods traded between them. They also ease

'Omanisation' last key issue in concluding India-Oman FTA talks: Official

The negotiations for the proposed India-Oman free trade agreement are nearing conclusion with both sides discussing the last issue of the Gulf country's labour-related 'Omanisation' policy, as New Delhi wants the current regime to remain unchanged for its workers, an official said. Omanisation is a policy implemented by Oman to boost the employment of its citizens in the private sector. The policy mandates companies to meet specific quotas for hiring Omani nationals. These quotas vary by sector and are periodically revised. "There is a requirement in Oman for companies to employ a specified percentage of Omani nationals, which varies by sector - 15 per cent or 20 per cent or 30 per cent...What we want is that this current regime of Omanisation should remain permanent for us, so that it does not become more restrictive in the future after the FTA is finalised," the official said. The negotiations received a much-needed impetus after the visit of Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush

Weekend round of nuclear talks between US, Iran postponed, says Oman

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei issued a statement describing the talks as being 'postponed at the request of Oman's foreign minister'

Oman eyes Indian tourists to boost sustainable tourism under Vision 2040

Oman is ramping up efforts to attract international tourists, including Indians, to meet its goal of approximately 11.7 million visitors annually by 2040 as part of its sustainable tourism strategy, a top Omani official said here. Highlighting the deep historical ties between Oman and India, Mohamed bin Mahmoud al Zadjali, adviser to the Minister of Heritage and Tourism for Engineering Affairs, noted that Indian tourists are a key visitor group. The collaboration between Oman and India is historically significant. We rely heavily on Indian tourists, who are among our primary visitor groups consistently exploring various locations in Oman, Zadjali told PTI Videos. Oman is promoting corporate travel and destination weddings, targeting the 'Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions' (MICE) sector to build a loyal client base in India. The sultanate welcomed around 6,00,000 Indian tourists in 2023 about 15 per cent of total tourists that year reinforcing India's role as a vi

Wildlife reserves across GCC countries grow by 6.6% in 2023, shows data

According to the statistics published in the March 2025 bulletin, the cumulative area of nature reserves in the GCC recorded a notable leap in 2020

Iran, US to resume nuclear talks in Oman after Rome meeting concludes

The Iranian foreign minister said Saturday that the next round of talks with the United States over Iran's advancing nuclear programme will be in Oman with US envoy Steve Witkoff on April 26. But experts will meet there in the days before. The comments by Abbas Araghchi suggest movement in the second round of talks between the two countries, held Saturday in Rome. There was no immediate readout from the US side after the several hours of meetings at the Omani Embassy in Rome's Camilluccia neighbourhood. The talks were held in a constructive environment and I can say that is moving forward, Araghchi told Iranian state television. I hope that we will be in a better position after the technical talks.

EAM Jaishankar, Omani FM discuss regional issues in telephonic talks

The conversation between EAM Jaishankar and the Foreign Minister of Oman come after the two had held a bilateral meeting in February earlier this year

Jaishankar hold talks with several counterparts at Indian Ocean conference

Jaishankar met foreign ministers from Mauritius, Maldives, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka

TCS to modernise Muscat Clearing & Depository system under new agreement

TCS will implement its flagship platform, TCS BaNCS for Market Infrastructure, alongside Quartz, to enhance MCD's Clearing, Settlement, and Depository services

'India-Oman free trade agreement talks progressing at healthy pace'

The negotiations for a proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and Oman are progressing at a healthy pace and the two sides will hold another round of talks to resolve the pending issues, an official said. The official said that issues pertaining to petrochemical products have been resolved. The negotiations received a much need impetus after the visit of Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal to Muscat last month. "One more round of negotiations on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) will happen," the official added. On January 27 in Muscat, trade ministers of India and Oman reviewed progress of the proposed agreement and focused on advancing the negotiations for the pact. The agreement was discussed between Goyal and Oman's Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef. On January 14, India and Oman held the fifth round of talks for the agreement, aiming to boost bilateral economic ties. The negotiations

India, Oman trade ministers discuss advancing FTA negotiations pact

Trade ministers of India and Oman on Monday reviewed progress of the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries and focused on advancing the negotiations for the pact. The agreement was discussed between Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Oman's Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef in Muscat. "Our talks focused on advancing negotiations on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), strengthening trade and investment ties, and exploring avenues to further deepen our bilateral partnership," Goyal said on X. Goyal is in Muscat for the Joint Commission Meeting, which will be held on January 28. On January 14, India and Oman held the fifth round of talks for the agreement, aiming to boost bilateral economic ties. The negotiations for the agreement, officially dubbed CEPA, formally began in November 2023. In such agreements, two trading partners either significantly reduce or eliminate customs

Sembcorp launches first greenfield largest utility-scale solar farm in Oman

Sembcorp Industries, headquartered in Singapore, launched its 588 MW solar power project in Oman on Friday. Bilarab bin Haitham Al Said of the Royal Family and the second son of Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, inaugurated the project, the company said. The plant is Sembcorp's first greenfield renewables development project in the Middle East and also the 'largest utility-scale solar farm' in the global renewables portfolio of the company. "The inauguration of Manah 2 Solar Power Plant marks a key milestone in Sembcorp's commitment to Oman's transition to a sustainable future, and strengthening (its) partnership with Nama Power and Water Procurement Company. As Sembcorp's largest utility-scale solar plant globally, it supports Oman's Vision 2040 by advancing the nation's renewable energy targets," said Sembcorp Industries, CEO of Middle East and Chairman, South Asia, Vipul Tuli. The plant would provide clean energy to approximately 60,000 households, reducing carbon emissions, he said in

India-Oman FTA likely on agenda during Goyal's Muscat visit next week

Issues pertaining to the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) between India and Oman are expected to figure during the visit of Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal to Muscat next week, an official said. Though the negotiations for the proposed agreement were concluded, Oman has sought revision of its market access offers on some products. On January 14, India and Oman held the fifth round of talks for the agreement, which is aimed at boosting bilateral economic ties. The negotiations for the agreement, officially dubbed as Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), formally began in November 2023. In such agreements, two trading partners either significantly reduce or eliminate customs duties on a maximum number of goods traded between them. They also ease norms to promote trade in services and attract investments. The official said the Union minister is visiting the West Asian nation for the eleventh session of the India-Oman Joint Commission Meeting (JCM). The .

India to continue working together with Oman in tourism sector, says min

He added that Oman is particularly well-known in the Indian market as a popular wedding destination

BoB to sell Oman operation to Bank Dhofar as part of rationalisation

State-owned Bank of Baroda (BoB) on Thursday said it proposes to sell its Oman operation to Bank Dhofar as part of rationalisation of foreign operation. The bank has accorded approval for accepting the offer for acquisition of the banking business of Bank's Oman territory operations by Bank Dhofar on a going concern basis, BoB said in a regulatory filing. This is subject to approval from concerned regulatory authorities, it said. The total business of BoB operation in the country was 113.35 million Omani Rial while the net worth stood at 25.54 million Omani Rial. It is to be noted that the bank has been rationalising its foreign operations based on a comprehensive evaluation framework. As part of this exercise, the wholesale branch in China was closed during 2020-21, and the entire stake in the wholly-owned overseas subsidiary at Trinidad and Tobago viz. Bank of Baroda (Trinidad and Tobago) Ltd was divested by way of sale to Ansa Merchant Bank Ltd. As of March 31, 2024, the BoB's

India-Oman free trade pact talks at advanced stage, says Ambassador Narang

Discussions for the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) between India and Oman are at an advanced stage and both sides hope to conclude the pact early, Indian Ambassador to Oman Amit Narang said on Tuesday. The pact will give a significant push to bilateral trade and investment ties between the two countries, he said. The pact, officially known as the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), is expected to boost Indian exports to the west Asian country by eliminating duties, especially on petroleum products, textiles, electronics, pharmaceuticals, machinery, and iron and steel. "Discussions for a bilateral CEPA with Oman are at an advanced stage. We hope to conclude these discussions early and once this is done, this will be a significant push to bilateral, not just trade, but also bilateral investment ties," Narang said. Addressing an event organised by Ficci here, the Indian Ambassador to Oman also highlighted the significant potential for enhancing direct shipping li

India free-trade agreement with Oman hits market-access roadblock

Differences over access to petrochemical products major bone of contention