India is the best trade partner of Oman: Qais Al Yousef

Mumbai: A delegation from Oman, led by its Commerce, Industry & Investment Promotion minister, Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef held a meeting with the delegates of Indo Gulf & Middle East Chamber of Commerce (INMECC), at Hotel Oberoi Mumbai on May 13.

The 48 members delegation from Oman includes senior officials and business representatives from diverse areas spanning health, pharmaceuticals, mining, tourism, telecommunication, energy, shipping, and real estate.

During the meeting with INMECC, the minister said that India is one of the best trade partners, both the countries are crucial allies in the Gulf region and have seen bilateral trade ties grow stronger in the past few years. The Indian population in Oman continues to be the largest expatriate community in the country.

He appreciated the initiative of professionals and business leaders in India and Middle East countries to create a platform dedicated to connecting and promoting economical, industrial, commercial and cultural activities in India and the Middle East region and to create a vibrant and prosperous community.

He announced the formation of the Oman Chapter and agreed to sign an MOU between INMECC and the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industries soon. During the meeting, a few valuable proposals were discussed as part of Oman Vision 2040 between the delegates of the two countries and India would be the base for supporting education, training, skilling and tourism segments. This will improve the bilateral relationships, better opportunities and employment. Both the chamber will collaborate to promote various areas including tourism, manufacturing, trading, agriculture,  skilling and upskilling of Omani youths. The visit of the Omani delegation comes at a time when the bilateral trade between the two countries has grown by 82 per cent to reach $ 9.94 billion in 2021-2022.

He reiterated that Oman is an ambitious and welcoming nation, a true community with world-class amenities for business and people that offers a quality of life unparalleled by any other country in the Gulf. The Sultanate’s unique character can be attributed to its people, location, infrastructure, the collaborative business community, government support and an unprecedented array of cultural and sporting activities.

"We boast some great reasons why you should invest and relocate here.  More people are choosing Oman, it is a country that will open your eyes to new experiences and exciting business possibilities. With opportunities across many sectors, it could be the ideal home for your business to grow and develop. To diversify Oman’s economy, the government is focused on developing manufacturing, logistics, mining, tourism, fisheries, education, healthcare and ICT as well as encouraging public-private partnerships in many areas."

Indo Gulf & Middle East Chamber of Commerce: The chairman of INMECC Dr Sharafudeen in his opening remarks said that the Indo Gulf Middle East Chamber of Commerce is an initiative of professionals and business leaders in India and Middle East countries to create a platform dedicated to connecting and promote economical, industrial, commercial and cultural activities in India and Middle East region and to create a vibrant and prosperous community.

It has chapters in different cities in India, UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar. Oman chapter of INMECC is headed by Suresh Virmani with Mohiuden Mohamed Ali, Aftab Patel, Warith Al Kharusi, Chander Khanna and Ahmed Rayees as  Board members, he added.

Redha Juma Al Saleh, Chairman of Oman Chamber of Commerce, Sulaiman Lashkaran Al Zadjali, Consul General of Oman to India, Dr N. M. Sharafudeen, Chairman of INMECC, its Secretary-General Dr Sureshkumar Madhusudhanan, Oman Director Davis Kallukaran, Mumbai Chapter President Dr P. J. Aprain were present in the meeting.