MOSCOW, Russia / EuroWire.IO / – According to Sergei Shoigu, Secretary of Russia’s Security Council, the trade volume between Russia and Oman surged 22 times, reaching $1.5 billion during the first seven months of 2026. Shoigu highlighted that this figure represents the highest level in a decade. He made these comments on October 20 at a Moscow meeting with Idris Al-Kindi, Secretary General of Oman’s National Security Council. The two nations had previously aimed for a trade target of $1 billion by 2027.
Shoigu emphasized that both Russia and Oman have substantial opportunities to further capitalize on this positive trend and set new trade benchmarks. He mentioned that Moscow intends to strengthen cooperation with Muscat across various sectors of mutual interest and to implement agreements made by their respective heads of state. The Security Council’s press service described the discussions as interagency consultations. The last such meeting occurred in Muscat in November 2025.
Plans are underway for a roadmap to deepen security collaboration from 2026 to 2028, which is expected to be signed during the Moscow talks, according to TASS. This document was drafted by the offices of the two security councils following the Muscat negotiations. Shoigu also indicated that Russia and Oman are planning to establish military attaché offices at their embassies in Muscat and Moscow in the near future, although no specific dates were provided.
Trade Extends Beyond Hydrocarbon Sectors
The growth of trade between Russia and Oman has been evident since earlier in the decade. Russia’s Pivot to Asia, a business publication citing Shoigu’s remarks, reports that bilateral trade increased by 62.3% from 2020 to 2024. Currently, the trade relationship encompasses sectors such as agriculture, metals, petrochemicals, machinery, IT services, maritime logistics, and food commodities. Russian investments in Omani energy, logistics, and food security initiatives have contributed to this expansion. These figures complement a broader rise in Russia’s non-resource exports this year.
The publication further notes that Russia began shipping refrigerated meat to Oman in 2025 on a significant scale. Oman’s domestic consumption of poultry is projected to reach 102,000 tonnes in 2026, with Russian meat and poultry producers aiming to increase their market presence. Additionally, Oman is working toward greater food self-sufficiency under its Oman Vision 2040 development plan. Support for business collaboration comes from entities like the Joint Economic Commission and the Oman-Russia Business Council.
Oman Recognized as a Strategic Southern Gateway for Transit Corridor
Russia considers Oman a key potential southern entry point for the International North-South Transport Corridor, which connects Russia with Iran, Central Asia, India, and markets in the Gulf and East Africa. Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin has previously highlighted Oman’s advantageous geographic position for port development, stating that links between Russian and Omani ports hold significant promise for the North-South route. This corridor is also part of Russia’s broader trade strategy with India.
Tourism is another expanding area of connection, with Russian visitor arrivals to Oman increasing by 87% in 2025, reaching an estimated 80,000 tourists, as per the publication. Both nations maintain a mutual visa-free regime, facilitating travel. A growing number of Russian companies are establishing subsidiaries in Oman, attracted by the country’s special economic zones and major ports at Salalah, Duqm, Sohar, and Muscat.