By TIOL News Service
MUSCAT, JULY 17, 2018: THE India-Oman Joint Commission held its eighth session here between July 16-17, 2018. While India was represented by Union Minister for Commerce & Industry, Mr Suresh Prabhu, the Omani side was represented by his counterpart, Dr Ali bin Masoud Al Sunaidy. Both sides reviewed their bilateral trade and noted that the existing volume has shown remarkable growth since the last session of the Joint Commission in 2014. It was mentioned that Indo-Omani trade grew from USD 4131 million in March 2014-15 to USD 6703.76 million in 2017-18. Besides, Indian exports to Oman grew from USD 2379.44 million to USD 2439.46 million in 2017-18. Moreover, the total FDI from Oman into India from April 2000 to March 2018 was USD 469.20 million. It may also be noted that Oman ranks 31st in terms of FDI in India.
In 2017-18 India's top items of exports were petroleum (crude and products), products of iron & steel, rice-basmati, iron and steel, ceramic products, organic chemicals, copper and products made of copper, electronic components, industrial machinery for dairy. Indian imports from Oman include petroleum (crude), fertilizers manufactured, petroleum products, aircraft, spacecraft and parts, organic chemicals, aluminium products, bulk minerals and ores, processedplastic raw materials and minerals.
Both sides stressed the importance of further enhancing trade relations and also to diversify the trade basket. Oman invited Indian investors in sectors like renewable energy and infrastructure.India informed that the potential products of export to Oman are petroleum products (light oils, coke), gold and jewellery, pharmaceuticals, parts of aeroplane and helicopters, agri items (rice, wheat, meslin flour, cane & beet sugar), textile articles (bedding), aluminium oxide and glazed ceramic.
Besides, India requested for reduction in customs tariff on Indian chemical products exported to Oman, which is approximately 5%. Reduction of tariff on items like dyes, inorganic chemicals, organic chemicals, agro chemicals, cosmetics, glazed ceramic articles, aluminium alloys and tyres used in buses would provide better market access. India and Oman agreed to obtain their respective internal approvals for early finalization of India-Oman Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA).The India Oman Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) is under revision. Meetings have been held during 2017 and 2018 on BIT and comments of the Omani side on the Indian Model BIT text are under consideration.
Both sides discussed the issue of Oman India Fertilizer Company (OMIFCO) and extension of Urea Off Take Agreement (UOTA) beyond 2020. The Indian side informed that the final approval for signing the amended UOTA is likely to take about two months.India further informed that since UOTA is valid till 2020, talks should start for extension of UOTA beyond 2020 and upto 2025. The Omani side informed that they are willing to consider extension of the existing UOTA beyond 2020. The Government of India is also proposing for continuation of the existing prices for the extension of validity of the Gas Supply Agreement (GSA).
Both countries agreed that cooperation in the field of energy,especially renewable energylike wind and solar, was important. India informed that a proposal for India-Oman Joint Venture for setting up of world's largest waste to energy plant in India is under consideration. This Joint Venture will generate 200 Giga Watt energy per year by processing around 9000 tonnes of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) per year. India informed that the Government of India is awaiting response from Oman.
An India-Oman Joint Working Group (JWG) on agriculture has been set up and it has already held its first meeting. India has a potential to export agricultural items like grapes, tomato, wheat and sugar which Oman is importing from other countries.
Both nations also agreed to cooperate in the field of tourism. Oman invited Indian investors and operators of hotels to invest in Oman. Promotion of adventure, wellness, medical and spiritual tourism in Oman was also proposed by India. The other areas of cooperation agreed to by the both sides include mines, telecom and IT, space, health and education. The Commerce Minister addressed Joint Business Council and also interacted with business leaders of Oman and Indian investors in Oman over breakfast today.
