The 7th India-Oman Joint Commission meeting was held under the leadership of the Minister of State (Independent Charge) in the Ministry of Commerce & Industry Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman and His Excellency Dr Ali bin Masoud al Sunaidy, Minister of Commerce & Industry, Oman, here today. During the official interaction, the two sides discussed bilateral economic and commercial matters of mutual interest and discussed ways to increase the bilateral trade and investment linkages between the two countries.

Speaking to media persons after the meeting, Smt. Sitharaman said that “there is a scope for immense interaction and greater engagement with Oman...today’s meeting has only reinforced the possibilities which exist immensely. There has been a warm and meaningful interaction. We hope to follow it up by a delegation which will be going to Oman in December.” She further noted that “there are also negotiations with Gulf Cooperation Council. We hope to work a lot more intensely with Oman on newer and more intense economic activity...a lot of new areas of discussion have come out.”

Dr Sunaidy said that “we had a very good discussion today....we have had very constructive two days which will also go on in the next two days in Mumbai. Our trade is expanding...our exports and imports with India are expanding. So there is an increase of over 55 pc between 2012 and 2013. We hope that this can be expanded forward.” He added that Oman looks forward “to India as a very close partner as it has always been. And we now have to come up with more innovative ideas for more business in the future.”

Both the Ministers witnessed the signing of MoU on Standards and Metrology between the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Oman. The two Ministers also welcomed the signing of the Agreement on Legal and Judicial Cooperation in Criminal Matters.

India and Oman enjoy friendly bilateral relations based on strong foundation of mutual trust and respect and people to people linkages. Oman is an important trading partner of India in the Gulf region with bilateral trade exceeding US$ 5.70 billion in 2013-14. The contribution of over 700,000 strong Indian community in the progress and development of Oman is well acknowledged and appreciated.

Legal and judicial cooperation enhanced through a criminal matters agreement to support cross border trade and regulatory coordination. The meeting focused on expanding bilateral economic engagement and institutional linkages to facilitate trade and investment, proposed follow-up delegations, and noted negotiations with the Gulf Cooperation Council. It resulted in two institutional instruments: a MoU on Standards and Metrology between BIS and Oman's commerce ministry and an Agreement on Legal and Judicial Cooperation in Criminal Matters, intended to align technical standards and create mechanisms for cooperation in criminal judicial matters to support trade and regulatory coordination.