Eastern address: Russia and Oman working on establishing a trade commission
Moscow is interested in a logistics corridor from Russia via Iran to the ports of the Persian Gulf and Oman. Russian Ambassador to the sultanate Oleg Levin told Izvestia. The head of the Omani Foreign Ministry said earlier that the country is studying the expediency of connecting to the North-South ITC. Moscow expects Muscat's response on the issue of establishing an intergovernmental commission for trade, economic, scientific and technical cooperation, the Russian ambassador said. At the same time, Russia has great potential to become an important partner of the sultanate. Omanis have a growing interest in receiving technical education in Russian universities, the head of the diplomatic mission added.
Corridor to the Persian Gulf
The Russian Federation is interested in creating a logistics corridor to the Persian Gulf ports, Oman represents a promising direction here. Oleg Levin, Russia's ambassador to this country, told Izvestia.
- The logistical role of Oman is certainly a serious topic, and it is extremely important for us to hold extended discussions on this issue with the local side, - said the head of the diplomatic mission.
Oman's strategically important position makes its ports important links in international trade. The Sultanate's Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad bin Hamoud al-Busaidi said earlier that his country is weighing the possibility of joining the North-South international transportation corridor.
- Of interest is the transportation corridor from Russia through Iran to the ports of the Persian Gulf and Oman. A very promising direction may emerge here. Specialists and experts should meet to see the interest of each side," said the Russian ambassador.
The initiative of the North-South ITC provides for the development of routes that will allow the Russian Federation to participate more actively in global trade. The corridor can become an important transit route between the countries of North-Western Europe, the Caspian Basin, the Persian Gulf, Central, South and Southeast Asia, and it will also provide an opportunity to further develop Euro-Asian transportation via a shorter and more economical route.
Oman is actively developing its port facilities and logistics infrastructure in a bid to become a regional hub. The sultanate's ports, such as Duqm and Salalah, have already established themselves as promising logistics hubs.
The Russian Federation and Oman are working on the establishment of an intergovernmental commission
Contacts between Russia and Oman at various levels have intensified in recent years, in particular, the country was represented as a guest of honor at the SPIEF in 2024.
- Now, an intergovernmental commission on trade, economic, scientific and technical cooperation has not yet been established with Oman. The framework agreement on trade, economic cooperation was signed in 1994. The document provided for the establishment of this commission. The work to make the commission operational is underway now. This is a very important issue," Oleg Levin said, adding that the relevant proposals were sent to the Omani side through the Ministry of Economic Development.
The Ambassador noted that communication of specialized specialists within the commission will give an opportunity to develop cooperation in various directions.
- From our point of view, there should be absolutely clear legal mechanisms of interaction based on intergovernmental agreements in the issues of increasing trade and economic cooperation. If such mechanisms are developed, the trade turnover will grow," the head of the Russian diplomatic mission told Izvestia.
The agreement between our countries on elimination of double taxation can provide favorable conditions for business and reduce costs for Russian companies operating in the sultanate. Attracting foreign investment fits into the long-term plan Oman Vision 2040, aimed at building a diversified and competitive economy.
- Due to the fact that the leadership of Oman has set an ambitious task to implement the 2040 program, there is a certain hope that this direction for the sultanate is strategic and, of course, Oman will continue to be interested in foreign investment and advanced technologies, - said the Russian ambassador.
In this context, Russia has great potential to become an important partner of the sultanate, which will contribute to the implementation of the program. And Oman, in turn, can become a platform for promoting Russian goods to the markets of the GCC (Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Persian Gulf). All the more so because the state pursues a pragmatic and balanced foreign policy. Despite pressure from the West, the sultanate continues to take an equidistant position in the context of the situation in Ukraine and tries not to use measures that could harm relations with Russia.
- At least the Omanis treat us with interest. They are aiming for Russia and Russian companies to be present in Oman, including in the interests of implementation of this ambitious program-2040, - said Oleg Levin.
Now our countries maintain partnership relations, and the Omani authorities follow a balanced policy, not participating in the anti-Russian sanctions, said Elena Melkumyan, a leading researcher at the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
The local authorities have taken a number of measures to increase the attractiveness of investments. Among them, in particular, are lower duties, simplification of investment actions, long-term residency, exemption from corporate taxes, and expansion of permissible types of companies.
Omani political scientist Khamis Al-Kuteiti emphasized in his conversation with Izvestia: Russia and Oman have the basis for partnership agreements in the economic field, and contacts with Moscow are welcomed in Muscat.
Oman is interested in Russian education
The Russian Federation is also becoming an increasingly attractive destination for education among young people in Oman.
-If earlier for Oman our scholarships at the expense of the federal budget were unclaimed and children were sent to England or the USA, now it is perceived differently. It is highly sought after in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon. Now there are candidates in Oman who want to receive Russian education in the field of math, physics, engineering," the diplomat said.
According to him, the possibility of receiving technical education in Russia, including in English, which is in high demand among Omanis, is a promising direction.
Cooperation is also developing in the sphere of tourism. Oman attracts Russian travelers with quiet, informative tourism, which allows them to relax and get acquainted with its culture, history and traditions. Over the past year, about 70,000 Russians have chosen this country as a tourist hotspot. Omanis also come to the Russian Federation. Moreover, they get the opportunity to enter the territory of our country on an electronic visa.
