MOSCOW, Russia / EuroWire.IO / – In the first seven months of 2026, the trade volume between Russia and Oman experienced a remarkable 22-fold increase, reaching a total of $1.5 billion, as stated by Sergei Shoigu, the Secretary of Russia’s Security Council. Shoigu emphasized that this figure is the highest recorded over the past decade. His comments were made on October 20 during a meeting in Moscow with Idris Al-Kindi, Secretary General of Oman’s National Security Council. The two nations had previously targeted $1 billion in trade by 2027.
Shoigu expressed confidence that both parties possess the potential to capitalize on this positive trend and set new trade records. He also mentioned Moscow’s intention to strengthen cooperation with Muscat across various mutually beneficial sectors. Furthermore, Russia intends to implement agreements reached by the two heads of state. The Security Council’s press service described the discussions as interagency consultations, with the last round taking place in Muscat in November 2025.
According to TASS, a roadmap for enhancing bilateral security cooperation spanning 2026 to 2028 was anticipated to be signed during the Moscow talks. The document was drafted by the offices of the two security councils following the Muscat discussions. Shoigu additionally noted that Russia and Oman are planning to establish military attaché offices at their respective embassies in Muscat and Moscow soon, though no specific dates have been announced.
Trade Diversifies Beyond Hydrocarbon Sectors
The upward trajectory in trade began earlier this decade. Between 2020 and 2024, bilateral commerce increased by 62.3%, according to Russia’s Pivot to Asia, a business publication that reported Shoigu’s statements. The report highlighted that current trade encompasses sectors such as agriculture, metals, petrochemicals, machinery, IT services, maritime logistics, and food products. The expansion has been bolstered by Russian investments in Omani projects related to energy, logistics, and food security. These figures contribute to a broader rise in Russia’s non-resource exports this year.
In 2025, Russia initiated its first significant shipments of refrigerated meat to Oman, the publication noted. It is projected that Oman’s domestic poultry consumption will reach 102,000 tonnes in 2026, with Russian meat and poultry producers planning to expand their market presence. Oman is also actively pursuing greater self-sufficiency in food as part of its Oman Vision 2040 development strategy. Support for these initiatives comes from entities like the Joint Economic Commission and the Oman-Russia Business Council, which promote economic ties.
Oman Positioned as a Strategic Gateway for Southern Routes
Russia considers Oman a promising southern access point for the International North-South Transport Corridor. This route connects Russia to Iran, Central Asia, India, and markets in the Gulf and East Africa. Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin previously highlighted Oman’s strategic location as advantageous for port development, emphasizing the high potential of links between Russian and Omani ports for the North-South corridor. Russia’s trade strategies with India also include this corridor.
Tourism is another growing area of cooperation, with Russian visitors to Oman increasing by 87% in 2025, reaching an estimated 80,000 tourists, according to the publication. Both nations maintain a mutual visa-free travel arrangement. Additionally, 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, the report added.