Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: The India–Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which came into force this week, provides significant market access opportunities for India’s textiles and apparel sector to expand exports in a key Gulf market.
Oman has accorded immediate duty-free access on all 945 textile and apparel tariff lines eliminating the existing 5 per cent MFN duty and substantially enhancing the price competitiveness of Indian products in the Omani market. Moreover, immediate zero duty access has also been provided on exports of handicraft lines, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Textiles on Wednesday.
India’s exports of textiles, apparel and handicrafts to Oman stood at $95.1 million in FY 2025–26, while Oman imports textiles and apparel worth approximately $598 million annually.
With India currently accounting for around 11 per cent of Oman’s total imports and ranking as its third-largest supplier, the CEPA provides a clear opportunity to significantly scale up exports and gain greater market share. Indian exporters are well-positioned to tap into growing demand in Oman across key segments such as apparel, made-ups, carpets, and fabrics, particularly in value-added and design-oriented products, the statement said.
The agreement incorporates a modern and fully digitalized Certificate of Origin (CoO) framework, enabling seamless electronic exchange of origin certificates between the two countries, which reduce transaction costs, improve efficiency and facilitate smoother trade flows.
CEPA will also strengthen cooperation in intellectual property rights, reaffirming both countries’ rights under the WTO TRIPS Agreement and ensuring national treatment in the protection of IPR.
