Ahmedabad: Oman believes dialogue and international law are the “best tool” to address regional crises and expects global supply chains to remain intact amid the West Asia conflict, its Consul General Mahboob Issa Al Raisi said on Thursday.
He was responding to a question about the measures Oman is taking to minimise disruptions to regional and international commerce against the backdrop of concerns over possible disruptions to shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
“Oman is also promoting peace and security in the region. We think that if there is any type of crisis concerning our region, the best tool to use is dialogue and international law, and to keep talking instead of escalating these kinds of issues,” Al Raisi told PTI on the sidelines of the third Edition of the CII Gujarat Export Conclave here.
“So again, we think that the supply chain will remain intact and smooth as usual,” the Consul General said.
Addressing the conclave earlier, Al Raisi said the global trading landscape was undergoing a profound transformation, with geopolitical developments, technological disruption and economic uncertainty demonstrating how quickly established patterns of trade and investment could change.
“Trade creates opportunity, technology drives competitiveness, but trust is what transforms commercial relationships into enduring partnerships,” he said.
On India-Oman relations
Al Raisi said trust, friendship and mutual respect had long defined relations between Oman and India, with historical links built by merchants, sailors and entrepreneurs who crossed the Arabian Sea to exchange goods, ideas and cultures.
Among the earliest and strongest links were those with India’s western coast, particularly Gujarat, whose ports and trading communities played an important role in connecting the two peoples, he said.
Today, Oman and India enjoy a comprehensive strategic partnership spanning trade, investment, logistics, energy, technology, education, healthcare and tourism, he said.
Calling India one of Oman’s most important economic partners, he said the relationship was strengthened by decades of confidence placed in each other by businesses and people.
He said Oman’s Vision 2040 was aimed at building a diversified and competitive economy driven by innovation, knowledge and private enterprise, while encouraging entrepreneurship, infrastructure investment, digital transformation and sustainable industries.
Investments in industrial cities, logistics infrastructure, free zones, tourism, renewable energy and advanced manufacturing were creating new opportunities for regional and international businesses, he said.
Al Raisi also highlighted the proposed Oman-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, saying it reflected the shared determination of the two countries to deepen economic cooperation and create an enabling environment for businesses to expand and collaborate.
“The next phase of the Oman-India economic relationship will be driven less by traditional buyer-seller transactions and more by strategic business partnerships,” Al Raisi said.