MOSCOW, Russia / EuroWire.IO / – Trade relations between Russia and Oman experienced a remarkable increase, rising 22-fold to reach $1.5 billion during the first seven months of 2026, according to Sergei Shoigu, Secretary of Russia’s Security Council. Shoigu noted that this figure marks the highest trade volume in the past decade. His remarks 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 established a trade target of $1 billion by 2027.
Shoigu expressed confidence that both sides have ample opportunity to maintain this positive momentum and set new records. He also emphasized that Moscow intends to deepen cooperation with Muscat in areas of mutual interest, with Russia committed to implementing the agreements made by the two heads of state. The Security Council’s press service described the discussions as interagency consultations, with the previous round taking place in Muscat in November 2025.
A roadmap aimed at expanding bilateral security cooperation from 2026 to 2028 was anticipated to be signed during the Moscow meetings, according to TASS. The document was drafted by the offices of both security councils following the Muscat talks. Shoigu also announced that Russia and Oman plan to establish military attaché offices at their respective embassies in Muscat and Moscow in the near future, though no specific timeline was provided for these openings.
Trade diversification beyond hydrocarbons
The expansion in trade relations started earlier in the decade. According to Russia’s Pivot to Asia, a business publication that reported Shoigu’s comments, bilateral trade grew by 62.3% between 2020 and 2024. The publication states that the scope of trade now includes agriculture, metals, petrochemicals, machinery, IT services, maritime logistics, and food commodities. Russian investments in energy, logistics, and food security projects in Oman have contributed to this growth. These figures are part of a broader increase in Russia’s non-resource exports this year.
The publication also highlights that in 2025, Russia began its first major shipments of refrigerated meat to Oman. It is projected that Oman’s domestic poultry consumption will reach 102,000 tonnes in 2026. Russian meat and poultry producers are looking to expand their market share in Oman. Additionally, Oman is working toward greater food self-sufficiency under its Oman Vision 2040 development plan. Institutions such as the Joint Economic Commission and the Oman-Russia Business Council actively support business collaborations.
Oman as a strategic southern gateway in corridor plans
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 across the Gulf and East Africa. Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin has previously pointed out Oman’s strategic location for port development, emphasizing that links between Russian and Omani ports hold significant promise for the North-South route. This corridor also figures prominently in Russia’s trade expansion strategies with India.
Tourism is an increasingly important connection as well, with Russian visitors to Oman increasing by 87% in 2025, reaching an estimated 80,000 tourists, as reported by the publication. Both countries have a mutual visa-free travel regime. More Russian companies are establishing subsidiaries in Oman, attracted by the country’s special economic zones and its ports at Salalah, Duqm, Sohar, and Muscat.