AIREA delegation to Oman & Bahrain 2024

Visit of Indian Food Industry Delegation to Oman and Bahrain

(22–25 July 2024)

APEDA, on the invitation of the Indian Embassies, led a delegation of Indian food companies to the Sultanate of Oman and the Kingdom of Bahrain from 22–25 July 2024. The delegation comprised companies representing the Basmati rice, Buffalo Meat, Poultry, and Processed Food sectors, with active participation from AIREA member companies.

Visit to the Sultanate of Oman

22–23 July 2024

The delegation arrived in Muscat on 22 July 2024 and held a meeting with H.E. Shri Ashok Lamba, Ambassador of India to the Sultanate of Oman, at the Indian Embassy. The Ambassador welcomed the delegation and noted that this was the first Indian Basmati rice delegation to Oman in nearly 25 years. He highlighted the long-standing and strong bilateral relations between India and Oman and appreciated the presence of AIREA members.

The Ambassador assured full cooperation and support from the Indian Embassy to facilitate future business growth and to help address challenges faced by Indian exporters. In his address, Shri Satish Goyal, President, AIREA, emphasized the significant export opportunities for Indian Basmati rice in Oman and sought the Embassy’s support in addressing specific trade-related issues concerning Basmati rice.

B2B Meeting – Muscat

A B2B meeting was organized on the evening of 22 July 2024 at Hotel Sheraton, Muscat, where the Indian Embassy invited leading Omani importers and buyers of food products, particularly Basmati rice. The event was attended by the Indian Ambassador, Vice Chairman of the Oman Chamber of Commerce, and other senior dignitaries from government, trade, and industry.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Satish Goyal highlighted the tremendous growth in India–Oman Basmati rice trade since 2019–20, outlined the future potential for expansion, and thanked the authorities for organizing the B2B interaction. Shri Alok Bisaria, Executive Director, AIREA, spoke on India’s leadership in rice exports to over 165 countries, assured the food safety and quality of Indian Basmati rice for Omani consumers, and reiterated AIREA’s intent to engage constructively with Omani authorities on Basmati-related matters.

Meetings with Government Authorities

On 23 July 2024, the AIREA member delegation met government authorities in the Sultanate of Oman to discuss issues related to Basmati rice. The delegation clarified that Indian Basmati rice is safe for consumers and emphasized the importance of timely, amicable, and consultative resolution of MRL-related matters to ensure smooth trade flows and avoid difficulties for exporters.

The Omani authorities expressed their understanding of the concerns, conveyed their willingness to examine the issues, and assured full cooperation. Officials from the Indian Embassy, APEDA, BEDF, and other sector representatives also held parallel discussions relevant to their respective domains.

India–Oman Cooperation on Food Standards

It is understood that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is currently under discussion and finalization between the Government of India and the Sultanate of Oman. The MoU is expected to establish a structured framework, including modalities and mechanisms, to address food safety and food standards-related matters between the two countries, thereby facilitating smoother trade and enhanced cooperation.