KOCHI — The Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of India reaffirmed their strong and growing economic partnership during a high-level Business Seminar on “Leveraging the India–Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)” held on 26 February 2026 at Vivanta by Taj, Kochi. Keral India
The seminar brought together senior government officials, diplomats, policy experts and leading business representatives from both countries to explore strategic trade and investment opportunities under the CEPA framework.
The event was virtually graced by H.E. G.V. Srinivas, Ambassador of India to the Sultanate of Oman, and H.E. Mahboob Issa Alraisi, Consul General of the Sultanate of Oman in Mumbai. The dignitaries underscored the historic bilateral relationship and highlighted CEPA as a catalyst for enhancing trade flows, facilitating investments and deepening sectoral collaboration.
Mr. Abdul Latheef Uppala, Board Member of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) and Chairman of the Foreign Investment Committee, emphasized Oman’s investor-friendly regulatory environment and expanding opportunities across logistics, manufacturing, healthcare and infrastructure sectors.
A dedicated panel discussion on ‘India–Oman Trade and Investment Opportunities under CEPA’ was moderated by Dr. Davis Kallukaran, Deputy Chairman, Foreign Investment Committee, Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The distinguished panelists included Dr. P. Mohamed Ali, Founder, Galfar Group; Dr. M.I. Sahadulla, Group Chairman & Managing Director, KIMS Health; Dr. Siddeek Ahmed, Chairman & Managing Director, Eram Group; Mr. Abdul Latheef Uppala, board member OCCI; Mr. Sheraz Anwar, Director, Abad Group; and Mr. Anirudh Sankar, Senior Official, DGFT Kochi.
The panel deliberated on sector-specific collaboration in infrastructure development, healthcare services, industrial partnerships, export facilitation and regulatory alignment, while highlighting practical pathways for strengthening private-sector engagement between Oman and India.
The sessions that followed focused on -How Oman Vision 2040 is aligned with CEPA, presented by Dr. Yousuf Hamad Al-Balushi, Economic Advisor & Research Analyst, Oman, and Presentation on the Special Economic Zones and Free Zones of Oman and Madayn by Mr. Yarub Nasser Al Siyabi, Specialist at OPAZ The speakers highlighted priority sectors under Vision 2040 and significant investment potential within Duqm and other strategic economic zones.
Technical presentations by experts Dr James Nedumpara professor and Head CTIL ,Mr. Ridhish Rajvanshi Senior research Fellow and Mr. Tathagata Choudhury from the Centre for Trade and Investment Law (CTIL) Ministry of Commerce and Industry Government of India provided clarity on tariff concessions, market access for services, digital trade provisions and export promotion mechanisms under CEPA.
Dr P Mohamed Ali, Chancellor National University of Science and Technology Oman in his message emphasized the need for continuous engagement on CEPA to understand the terminologies to ensure a quantum jump in bilateral trade, services and investments in both Oman and India.
The seminar concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session followed by business networking engagement, reinforcing the shared commitment of Oman and India to foster sustainable economic growth and cross-border investments.
The program was jointly organized by the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), Kerala State Council, the Indo Gulf and Middle East Chamber of Commerce (INMECC), The foreign investment committee of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Centre for Trade and Investment law (CTIL) of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.
The Oman delegation was headed by Mr. Abdul Latheef Uppala, Board member OCCI and Included Mr. Ahmed Ali Al Akkak, CEO SEZD, Mr. Yaqub Nasser Khamis Al Siyabi from OPAZ, Dr Yousuf Hamad Al Balushi and Al Yaqadhan Al Shukaili from Smart Investment Gateway, Dr. Davis Kallukaran Deputy Chairman, Foreign Investment committee of OCCI and Mr. Jim Joseph, Partner Audit and Corporate Finance from Crowe Oman.
