Gateway to the wider Gulf: Goyal says India-Oman CEPA will boost trade ties with duty-free access to 99% of Indian exports

India's trade engagement with Oman entered a new phase on Monday as the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the two countries came into effect, providing Indian exporters with extensive duty-free access to the Gulf nation and creating new opportunities across goods and services sectors.

Speaking at the launch of the agreement, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said the pact would strengthen bilateral economic ties and support India's broader export ambitions.

"The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement will add new momentum to India's ties with Oman," Goyal said, adding that the agreement positions Oman as a gateway to the wider Gulf, Asia and Africa.

Under the pact, India will receive duty-free access on 98% of Oman's tariff lines, covering more than 99% of Indian exports to the country.

"From today, India will secure duty-free access on 98% of Oman's tariff lines, covering over 99% of India's exports to Oman," Goyal said. "As we speak more than 10 consignments are being shipped availing preferential duty access in Oman from different parts of India."

Opportunities for exporters and professionals

The CEPA is expected to benefit a wide range of sectors, including textiles, sportswear, gems and jewellery, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, engineering goods, agricultural products, leather, plastics, automobiles and marine products. According to Goyal, exporters and MSMEs in these industries will gain a competitive advantage in the Omani market through preferential market access.

The agreement also includes commitments on services trade and movement of professionals. It offers improved mobility provisions for Indian business visitors, independent professionals, contractual service suppliers and intra-corporate transferees.

For the pharmaceutical sector, the minister highlighted a significant regulatory benefit. 

"Indian generic medicines approved by the USFDA, EMA, or UK MHRA will now receive marketing authorization in Oman within 90 days, meaning Omani patients get affordable Indian medicines faster,” he said.

In another key development, Oman has agreed to remove its long-standing restriction on exports of unpolished marble, enabling Indian processors and artisans, particularly in Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh, to source raw material directly.

Goyal also said India expects greater imports from Oman under the agreement. "We are also looking forward to welcoming products from Oman, which are required in the Indian ecosystem and which will benefit our consumers, our business," he said, describing Omani dates as "very special" and among the "best in the world."