New Delhi, 5-11- 2026: Addressing the valedictory session on the India–Oman Economic Conference hosted by The EGROW Foundation in New Delhi, Dr. Waiel S. H. Awwad, Secretary General (In-charge) of the India & Arab Countries Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture (IACCIA), called for a structured, delivery-focused agenda to turn the historic India–Oman friendship into a future-ready partnership.
“India and Oman are partners of history, geography, trust and shared aspirations,” Dr. Awwad said. “The question is no longer whether the relationship is strong. It is how we move from dialogue to delivery.”
Making the CEPA deliver
Dr. Awwad noted that the India–Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, signed in Muscat on 18 December 2025, came into force on 1 June 2026. It provides duty-free access for 99.38 per cent of India’s exports to Oman by value. Bilateral trade stood at US$11.18 billion in 2025-26. He proposed a CEPA Business Facilitation Platform to help businesses, particularly MSMEs, navigate standards, customs procedures and market entry.
Six priorities for the decade
The address set out six priorities: delivering on the CEPA; an integrated energy and connectivity partnership, including green hydrogen and Oman’s ports at Duqm, Sohar and Salalah; cooperation on maritime security; investment in people and technology; a stronger role for the business community; and institutions to ensure delivery. Dr. Awwad proposed an India–Oman Decade Partnership Action Framework, with an annual Strategic Partnership Review, a business-to-business council and sector working groups, backed by named owners, measurable outcomes and timelines.
He also set out a three-phase roadmap: consolidation from 2027 to 2028, expansion from 2029 to 2031, and transformation from 2032 to 2036.
Role of IACCIA
IACCIA works with 22 Arab national chambers and 17 Arab-foreign chambers to connect Indian and Arab businesses, facilitate government-to-government, government-to-business and business-to-business meetings, inform companies about market opportunities, and convene ministers and enterprise leaders. Dr. Awwad said the chamber stands ready to support the proposed India–Oman business council.
Bharat-Arab Business Conclave 2026
Dr. Awwad invited Omani business leaders, chambers and institutions to the Bharat-Arab Business Conclave (BABC) 2026, to be held on 18–19 December 2026 at Yashobhoomi Convention Centre, New Delhi, in association with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI). The conclave aims to catalyse a USD 500 billion India-Arab Economic Corridor and will feature platforms on healthcare, food security and artificial intelligence.

About IACCIA
The India & Arab Countries Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture (IACCIA) is an institutional platform dedicated to expanding economic cooperation, trade and strategic partnerships between India and the 22 Arab countries, in collaboration with the Union of Arab Chambers and the League of Arab States.