Since this is your last Independence Day in Oman, how do you rate your tenure as the Ambassador here? What are the recent developments in the Indo-Oman relationship?
Over last four years, the embassy and I have been busy in keeping the friendly relations between India and Oman on a high pedestal and giving a boost to the already existing bilateral relations between the two countries.
A visit by H H Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers of Oman, to India in December 2007 and another visit by Dr Manmohan Singh, the Indian Prime Minister to the sultanate, in November 2008, were the high points of this period. We have had a series of high level exchange visits between the two countries as a follow up in order to implement the decisions taken during those visits.
Today, our relations have become multi-dimensional, covering a wide range of agreements and contacts such as agriculture, science and technology, higher and technical education, trade and commerce, and culture.
The quick and hefty increase in bilateral trade is the most notable feature of this relationship over the last four years. Today it has reached a figure of US$4.5bn during the Indian financial year 2009-10. According to the latest figures available with the Omani authorities, bilateral trade was around US$3.5bn in 2010, which does not include the oil and gas exports from Oman to India for the second half of 2010.
The India-Oman Joint Investment Fund has started its operations through its Mumbai headquartered company. The joint venture is based on an MoU signed between State Bank of India and the State General Reserve Fund of Oman to set up a joint investment fund with a seed capital of US$100mn going upto US$1.5bn, for equity investments in various economic sectors of both the countries. The fund has already identified three projects in India, which will be announced shortly.
The final report of the Higher Committee on Economic Cooperation between India and Om-an was also signed last year. The report provides a road map to enhancing and intensifying economic and commercial relations between the two countries by identifying nine areas of cooperation. These are agriculture, healthcare, infrastructure, tourism, chemicals and fertilisers, education, oil and gas, power and mining.
A memorandum of understanding on cultural cooperation was signed last year. The MoU will establish formal routes between the two countries to encourage close cultural cooperation with exchange visits by artists, academicians and cultural troupes. The MoU also covers the exchange of historical manuscripts and identification of historical monuments.
The sixth session of the India-Oman Joint Commission Meeting was held in September 2010. Talks held on the occasion provided a platform for the two countries to move ahead with some special projects for the revival of fertiliser plants in India, food security, measures to enha-nce tourism including medical tourism in both countries, enha-ncement of medical facilities, and training and capacity building in various fields. The government of India agreed to export 40,000 tonnes of wheat and 10,000 tonnes of non-basmati rice to Oman on a regular basis, thus contributing to the food security of Oman, given our special relationship.
On the sidelines of the joint commission meeting, the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries organised a meeting of the Joint Business Council in association with the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Thus, the business chambers of the two countries are enjoying close relations, which are aimed at intensifying business relations.
The embassy has also been busy renewing cultural contacts between the two countries since they share civilisational links that go back to the Indus Valley Civilisation (third millennium BC). The cultural bond between the two countries has been strengthened with the organisation of numerous cultural programmes at the embassy premises.
These programmes range from painting exhibitions, folk and classical dance performances, screening of feature films, textile shows, music performances and theatre festivals. The Indian Council for Cultural Relations regularly deputes its cultural troupes to Oman in order to renew the cultural linkages between the two countries.
Our engagements with the Indian expatriate community in Oman are another part of our cultural relations, as they are the largest of the expatriate communities in Oman. They have been closely associated with our endeavours of maintaining relations between the two countries on a high platform. They have also been active, law-abiding, peaceful and humble, and have earned a good reputation in the sultanate. I am happy to have gotten a chance to represent such an enthusiastic, law abiding, hardworking and energetic community in Oman.
I should also underline the friendly support and cooperation from the Omani authorities in my efforts at every level, whether it is political and commercial, or school related matters.
The Indo-Oman relationship has been wonderful all through. But has there been any change in the perception after India's economic growth became a hot topic at every global forum?
Due to geographical proximity and historical relations, Oman and India have always enjoyed friendly relations. However, with the economic resurgence and investment opportunities in India, the relations between the two countries have also been inclined towards sharing experiences in economic development. The report of the Higher Committee on Economic Cooperation between India and Oman and functioning of India-Oman Joint Investment Management Company in Mumbai are examples.
Today, we have more than 140 Indian companies operating in Oman, and around 30-40 Omani companies are present in India. In July 2010, there were around 1,537 Indo-Omani joint ventures in Oman, with an estimated investment of US$7.5bn.
Today, India is seen as a major economic player in the global stage. In Oman, we are now talking about sharing our experience not only in the field of economic development, technical cooperation and investment, but are also discussing closely the opening of new areas of cooperation such as remote sensing, mapping of the sea bed and an undersea gas pipeline.
It seems that the Free Trade Agreement with the GCC will not be signed even this year. What's stopping the agreement from being signed? Has India abandoned the idea or is it still trying? It appears that only India is interested in getting it signed.
The Free Trade Agreement with the GCC is still under consideration. There are a few pending issues like taxation/duties on petrochemical products, which have to be decided by both parties - India and the GCC. The delay is because of the complex nature of FTA, and multi-nation involvement.
India is the biggest importer of non-oil products from Oman. And in the current scenario when Oman is focusing on improving its non-oil sector, how important is India to Oman in giving it a real boost?
India is ranked the fifth largest source of imports to Oman. In the year 2010, India ranked as the second among the destinations of Omani non-oil exports and third among the top destinations of Omani crude oil exports. Exports from India to Oman are on the rise as Indian products are achieving a brand presence across the globe, which ensures them entry to every possible market.
Close cultural relations between the two countries are among the other driving forces which are continuously contributing to the increase in commercial engagements between the countries. India, which earlier used to export mainly food items to Oman, has also diversified its trade basket by exporting machinery, electronic goods and equipment, machinery, auto mobile parts, consultancy services and training.
The Indian market is strong enough to give space to quality imports from other countries. Oman's recent focus on non-oil exports has given a major thrust to exports from Oman. A study by OCIPED for strategic marketing in India revealed that the total Omani exports to India have seen rapid growth, from RO133mn in 2005 to RO911mn in 2009. Studies indicate an even better performance in the first half of 2010, with total Omani exports of RO779mn over the six months alone. OCIPED has identified 21 Oman-origin products which have a ready market in India.
What is the latest on the salaries and welfare of construction workers?
We are engaged in a dialogue with the Omani Ministry of Manpower in this respect. We expect that in the near future, we will be able to make arrangements for blue collar workers, just as we have done for household workers. Our emphasis will be on fixing minimum wages and payment of salaries thorough bank accounts.
I would also like to highlight the embassy's ongoing community welfare activities. The emba-ssy continues to cater to the needs of the community through its community welfare wing.
It helps blue collared workers through free legal sessions twice a week and maintains a 24-hour helpline service for distressed Indian workers. People in distress can call us at two numbers, 24695981 or 96530062, which have been extensively advertised in all the leading newspapers.
In a large number of cases of Indian nationals in distress, the embassy, with the help of the Omani Ministry of Manpower, was able to resolve disputes between the employers and employees, as well as provide financial assistance in the case of those who needed medical attention or return tickets.
© Muscat Daily 2011
