MOSCOW, Russia / EuroWire.IO / – In the first seven months of 2026, trade between Russia and Oman surged by a factor of 22 to total $1.5 billion, according to Sergei Shoigu, Secretary of Russia’s Security Council. Shoigu emphasized that this figure represents the highest trade volume in the past decade. He shared these comments on October 20 during a Moscow meeting with Idris Al-Kindi, Secretary General of Oman’s National Security Council. The two nations had previously set a goal of reaching $1 billion in trade by 2027.
Shoigu highlighted that both parties have ample opportunities to capitalize on this positive trend and achieve new trade milestones. He also stated that Moscow aims to strengthen cooperation with Muscat across areas of mutual interest and to implement the agreements made by their leaders. The Security Council’s press service described the discussions as interagency consultations, with the previous meeting held in Muscat in November 2025.
According to TASS, a roadmap for expanding bilateral security cooperation from 2026 to 2028 was expected to be signed during the Moscow talks. This document was drafted by the offices of both security councils following the Muscat meeting. Shoigu additionally mentioned plans for Russia and Oman to establish military attaché offices at their embassies in Muscat and Moscow soon, though no specific dates were provided.
Trade Evolves Beyond Hydrocarbons
The upward trend in trade began earlier in the decade. Between 2020 and 2024, bilateral trade grew by 62.3%, as reported by Russia’s Pivot to Asia, a business publication that quoted Shoigu. Currently, trade encompasses sectors such as agriculture, metals, petrochemicals, machinery, IT services, maritime logistics, and food commodities. Russian investments in Omani energy, logistics, and food security projects have contributed significantly to this expansion. These figures complement a broader increase in Russia’s non-resource exports this year.
The publication noted that Russia began making its first substantial shipments of refrigerated meat to Oman in 2025. Oman’s domestic poultry consumption is forecasted to reach 102,000 tonnes in 2026. Russian meat and poultry producers plan to expand their presence in this market. Additionally, Oman aims to achieve greater food self-sufficiency under its Oman Vision 2040 development strategy. Organizations such as the Joint Economic Commission and the Oman-Russia Business Council actively promote business ties.
Oman as a Strategic Southern Gateway for Transport Corridor
Russia considers Oman a potential southern entry point for the International North-South Transport Corridor, which connects Russia with Iran, Central Asia, India, and markets across the Gulf and East Africa. Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin previously highlighted Oman’s advantageous location for port development, emphasizing that connections between Russian and Omani ports are highly promising for the North-South route. This corridor also features prominently in Russia’s trade plans with India.
Tourism is another expanding area of cooperation. In 2025, Russian visitors to Oman increased by 87%, reaching approximately 80,000 tourists, according to the publication. Both countries maintain a mutual visa-free arrangement. An increasing number of Russian companies are establishing subsidiaries in Oman, attracted by Oman’s special economic zones and its ports at Salalah, Duqm, Sohar, and Muscat.