As India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) came into effect from Monday, the Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said the agreement provides duty-free access for 99.38 per cent of India’s exports to Oman by value, covering 98.08 per cent of Oman’s tariff lines, making it one of the most comprehensive market access outcomes secured by India in the Gulf region.
Addressing the media on the sidelines of the India–Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), Goyal said trade agreement marks a defining milestone in India’s engagement with Oman and reflects vision of forging trade partnerships that deliver gains for farmers, fishermen, youth, women, entrepreneurs and MSMEs.
“This agreement will be a force multiplier in the Gulf region. With 99.38 percent of India’s exports receiving duty-free access, the Agreement unlocks new opportunities for our exporters and professionals gain opportunities. Oman is our trusted partner, a bridge for our people and a gateway to the Gulf and East Africa,” said Goyal.
All zero-duty concessions come into effect immediately providing certainty and competitiveness to Indian exporters. Earlier, under the MFN regime, only 15.33 per cent of India’s exports entered Oman duty-free. With CEPA, Indian exporters gain substantial price competitiveness in Oman’s nearly USD 28 billion import market.
Moreover, the agreement is expected to significantly boost MSMEs, manufacturing and employment by enhancing competitiveness in labor-intensive sectors such as gems & jewellery, textiles, leather, footwear, marine products, engineering goods, processed foods and pharmaceuticals.
India has offered tariff liberalisation on 77.79 per cent of tariff lines covering 94.81 per cent of imports from Oman by value, while maintaining strong safeguards for sensitive sectors.
Products protected under the exclusion list include dairy products, cereals, fruits, vegetables, edible oils, oilseeds, rubber, leather, spices and key agricultural products.
Furthermore, import duties of up to 5 percent on gems and jewellery have been eliminated. All marine products, including shrimp, fish and cuttlefish, receive immediate duty-free access replacing earlier import duties of up to 5 per cent.
Oman is India’s second-largest trading partner in the Gulf region and serves as a strategic gateway to the wider GCC market through its advanced port infrastructure. Bilateral trade between India and Oman reached USD 11.18 billion in FY 2025-26, registering a positive trend from USD 10.61 billion in FY 2024-25.
