RESTRICTED  
  
WT/TPR/G/295  
18 March 2014  
(14-1597)  Page: 1/12  
Trade Policy Review Body  Original: English  
 
 TRADE POLICY REVIEW 
REPORT BY 
OMAN 
Pursuant to the Agreement Establishing the Trade Policy Review Mechanism (Annex 3 of the 
Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization), the policy statement by Oman 
is attached. 
 
 
Note: This report is subject to restricted circulation and press embargo until the end of the first 
session of the meeting of the Tr ade Policy Review Body on Oman. WT/TPR/G/295 • Oman 
 
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  Contents 
1   INTROD UCTION  .......................................................................................................... 3  
2   ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT .......................................................................................... 3  
2.1   Economic  growth ....................................................................................................... 3  
2.2   Diversification of the economy ..................................................................................... 3  
2.3   Privatization ........................................................................................................... .. 4 
2.4   Investme nt regi me .................................................................................................... 4  
2.5   Human resour ce development ..................................................................................... 5  
2.6   Important deve lopment projects .................................................................................. 5  
3   TRADE POLICY DEVELOPMENTS .................................................................................. 6  
3.1   Objectives of  trade po licy ........................................................................................... 6  
3.2   Tariffs ...................................................................................................................... 6  
3.3   Other measure affecting imports .................................................................................. 7  
3.4   Trade remedy la ws and meas ures ................................................................................ 7  
3.5   Measures directly  affecting exports .............................................................................. 7  
3.6   Exports subsidies and TRIMs ....................................................................................... 7  
3.7   Trade-related intellectual property rights (TRIPS) ........................................................... 8  
4   SECTORAL DE VELOPMENTS ......................................................................................... 8  
4.1   Agriculture and fisheries ............................................................................................. 8  
4.2   Manuf acturi ng ...........................................................................................................  8 
4.3   Oil sector  and mining ................................................................................................. 9  
4.4   Service, banking and fina ncial, telecom and tourism ....................................................... 9  
5   FREE-TRADE AGREEMENTS .......................................................................................... 9  
5.1   Gulf Cooperat ion Council (GCC) ................................................................................... 9  
5.2   PAFTA ..................................................................................................................... 10 
5.3   Bilatera l agreements ................................................................................................. 10 
6   OMAN, WTO AND DOHA DEVELOPMENT AGENDA ....................................................... 10  
6.1   Oman and WTO ........................................................................................................ 10 
6.2   Doha Development Agenda ........................................................................................ 10 
7   FUTURE DIRECTION OF OMAN'S TRADE POLICY ........................................................ 11  
ANNEX-TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NEEDS OF OMAN…………………………………………………..12  
 WT/TPR/G/295 • Oman 
 
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  1  INTRODUCTION 
1.1.  The economic policy of the Sultanate of Oman continues to be based on four pillars: 
Sustainable development with a stable macroeconomic framework; diversified, dynamic and globalized economy; advanced human resource de velopment; and efficient and competitive private 
sector. 
1.2.  The Oman Vision 2020 enshrines the long te rm goals of Oman which are and remained since 
1996 when Oman Vision 2020 was launched: 
 Development of human resources and upgr ading Omani skills and competencies to 
keep abreast with the technological progress. 
 Creation of a stable macroeconomic framework aimed at development of a private 
sector capable of the optimal use of human and natural resources of Oman. 
 Encouraging the establishment of an effective and competitive private sector. 
 Providing appropriate conditions for the realization of economic diversification. 
 Enhancing the standard of living of the pe ople, reducing inequality among regions and 
among various income groups and ensuring th at the fruits of development are shared 
by all citizens. 
 Preserving the past achievements and safeguarding and developing them. 
1.3.  The watchwords of strategy are: Liberalization, Diversification, and Privatization. 
2  ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 
2.1  Economic growth 2.1.  The economy of Oman has been characteri zed in recent years by high growth and low 
inflation. The average growth rate of GDP at cu rrent prices during the five years from 2008 to 
2012 was 15.4 percent. This is despite the difficult year of 2009 and relative weakness and slow 
growth of world economy. In the year 2012, the GD P at current prices grew by 11.6 percent. The 
rate of inflation in 2012 was a low of 2.9 percent. 
2.2.  The share of oil and gas sector in Oman’s GDP in 2012 was 52.2 percent. The share of non-
petroleum industrial activities was 4 percent while the share of agriculture and fisheries was only 1.1 percent. Services have the second biggest share in GDP at 35.4 percent in 2012. It is 
interesting to note that the rate of growth of services was 16.4 percent which is higher than the 
overall growth rate of 11.6 percent. 
2.3.  The figures of real GDP for 2012 was 5.7 percent. However, available data shows that the 
real GDP (at constant pries) grew by 4.5 percen t in 2011. The rate of growth of the petroleum 
sector was 2.4 percent while that of the non-petroleum sector was 5.4 percent. Within the non-
petroleum sector, the annual rate of growth of services was 7.8 percent. 
2.4.  Oman had a fiscal surplus of Rial Omani (R.O.) 525.3 million in 2012 while the current 
account surplus stood at RO 3.1 billion, which was 10.4 percent of the GDP. 
2.5.  The Eighth Five Year Development Plan (2 011-2015) envisages increased growth rate of the 
non-oil sector, at 6 percent in real terms and at 10 percent at current prices. 
2.2  Diversification of the economy 
2.6.  Diversification of Oman’s economy is one of  the important pillars of economic policy and a 
long term objective as spelt out in Oman Vision 2020. The objective is creating a diversified economy, based on renewable resources, which is highly efficient and integrated with the world 
economy. The numerical objective is to increase the share of non-oil sector to 15 percent of GDP. 
The other targets are reducing the share of oil in  GDP to 9 % in 2020 and raising the share of gas 
to 10 percent. 
2.7.  The strategy of economic diversification is based on: WT/TPR/G/295 • Oman 
 
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   Pursuing a high value added strategy characterized by adopting capital intensive 
production methods, and depending on adva nced technology, scientific research and 
development. 
 Adopting an export led growth. 
 Developing small and medium scale enterprises. 
 Developing a dynamic, efficient and competitiv e private sector, in addition to pursuing 
privatization. 
 Developing human resources to match the global technological changes. 
 Creating a suitable macroeconomic environment for development of productive 
sectors. 
 Furthering the integration of Oman’s economy with the world economy. 
2.8.  The foregoing strategy is being pursued in  the Eighth Five Year Development Plan and is 
producing results. 
2.9.  The share of non-petroleum activities in  GDP increased from 50.2 percent in 2008 to 62.4 
percent in 2009 and to 56 percent in 2010. However, it was 53.1 percent in 2012 but that figure 
may be seen in context of high oil prices. Ot herwise the share of non-petroleum in GDP would 
have been much higher. 
2.10.  Another dimension of the success of Oman’s  economic diversification is: exports. Whereas 
the total exports of Oman increased by 38 percen t from 2008 to 2012, the increase of non-oil 
exports during the same period was 83 percent. 
2.3  Privatization 2.11.  Privatization is an important area and a p illar of Oman’s economic policy. It is based on 
putting the private sector in the forefront of deve lopment effort and reducing the role of state in 
economic activity. The objectives of privatization are: 
 Opportunities to the private sector to contribute to the development of national 
economy and encouragement of foreign investment. 
 Creation of competition and enhancement of  efficiency of resource utilization. 
 Increased employment opportunities for citizens in the private sector. 
 Reduction of financial and administrative burden on government. 
2.12.  Privatization process has progressed in the electricity sector, in power and related water 
sector, in the telecommunications sector, in transport sector and in waste water and hazardous waste sectors. 
2.13.  Oman would continue to pursue privatization as an important tool of national economic 
policy. 
2.4  Investment regime 2.14.  Investment regime is a priority area of Oman’s economic development. As a matter of 
conscious policy, Oman actively promotes both domestic and foreign investment in order to 
enhance economic growth and development. 
2.15.  Oman provides an open and liberal investme nt policy aimed at attracting and facilitating 
investments. It offers an investment friendly legislation, a free-market economy and stable 
macroeconomic environment. 
2.16.  The corporate tax rates are low while there is no personal income tax. Tax holidays are 
available for five years extendable for another five years. Repatriation of capital and profits is not 
restricted. Under the Foreign Capital Investment Law, expropriation or confiscation of foreign 
investment is prohibited except in case of public interest but that only against fair compensation. 
2.17.  Oman is a member of international institutions concerned with investment protection and 
guarantees such as International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes and Multinational 
Investment Guarantee Agency. WT/TPR/G/295 • Oman 
 
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  2.18.  A One-Stop-Shop has been provided by Oman  in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry for 
assisting domestic and foreign investors in meeting all formalities related to investments. This enables investors to set up companies in a very short time, minimizing paperwork and costs. 
2.19.  Oman is an attractive destination for foreign direct investment because of political stability, 
a strategic location, highly developed infrastructure and business friendly economic policies. 
2.5  Human resource development 2.20.  Human resource development is one of the highest important policy areas of Oman. Its 
importance can be gauged from the sayings of His Majesty the Sultan that human being is the 
ultimate goal of the development process. Oman has continued to invest resources and efforts in upgrading its human resource capital. The aim is to upgrade the skills of Omani nationals to keep abreast of technological developments and to prep are them to face the challenges and reap the 
opportunities of the 21
st century. 
2.21.  In the words of Oman Vision 2020, the focus in this area is to develop human resources and 
capabilities of Omani people to generate and manage technological changes efficiently, in addition 
to facing the continuously changing local and international conditions. 
2.22.  The human resource development strategy of Oman is based on: 
 Achieving a balance between population and ec onomic growth by reducing the population 
growth rate to less than 3 percent. 
 Provision of health services and reduction of the rate of mortality. 
 Dissemination, encouragement and patron age of knowledge and development of 
education. 
 Establishing post-secondary and technical educational system and vocational training. 
 Creating employment opportunities for Omanis in public and private sectors. 
 Increasing the efficiency of the labour market by narrowing differences between public and 
private sectors. 
2.23.  These objectives are sought to be achieved by expansion of university education, raising of 
enrolment ratios in higher education and professional institutions. Government gives top priority in 
allocating resources for implementation of programmes relating to education and training sectors. 
2.24.  A number of high grade educational institutions are operating in Oman, the best of which is 
the Sultan Qaboos University. 
2.6  Important development projects 
2.25.  Air traffic, both passenger and cargo, has greatly increased over the past few years, 
especially at the Muscat International Airport. The existing terminal built many years ago is not big enough to cater to the present and specially the future growth of air traffic. The Government has 
started a massive project of a new airport terminal close to the site of the existing terminal. Work 
is already in progress and the new terminal is ex pected to be ready in about two years. The new 
terminal is designed to handle a capacity of 12 mi llion passengers annually. It will be a state of the 
art facility with the latest and most modern infrastructure and equipment. It will be a show piece 
of Oman’s development. 
2.26.  Like other GCC countries, Oman has no railways at present. A railway network is planned 
for Oman and this rail network will be connected to the proposed networks of other GCC countries. 
The proposed railway network will connect Muscat with Sohar and with Salalah and eventually to 
other main cities. Preliminary work of inviting bids  for design of the railway service was started in 
May 2013. This will be another big development project of Oman. 
2.27.  The third major development project is the Duqm Special Economic Zone (SEZ). With a land 
area of 1,777 square Km and 80 Km of coastline along the Arabian Sea, the Duqm Special Economic Zone is the largest in the Middle East  and North African region and ranks among the 
largest in the world. It has long been envisioned as a project that will balance regional 
development in addition to diversifying sources of  national income and creating job opportunities WT/TPR/G/295 • Oman 
 
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  for Omanis. The SEZ is a model of an integrated economic development comprising a sea port, 
industrial area, fishing harbour, tourist zone, a logistics centre and an education and training zone. The Duqm Special Economic Zone Authority (SEZAD), which was established by Royal Decree in October 2011, will be the regulatory and supervisory body for the SEZ, responsible for managing 
and developing all economic activities. The Authority will be the focal point for potential investors 
and would have a one – stop – shop to help and guide investors. 
3  TRADE POLICY DEVELOPMENTS 
3.1  Objectives of trade policy 
3.1.  The trade policy of the Sultanate of Oman  is rooted in the principles and rules of the 
multilateral trading system. As an old trading nation, Oman is conscious of and recognizes that a rule-based international trading system and open and liberal markets are important for world 
economy, for economic development and for raisin g the living standards of people around the 
world, especially for the populations of developing countries. 
3.2.  It is in its firm belief in the foregoing principles that the Sultanate of Oman joined the World 
Trade Organization in 2000. Even before joining the WTO, Oman had in practice been following the 
rules and basic principles of the multilateral trading system. Since its accession to the WTO, Oman has strictly abided by the provisions of the WT O agreements and it expects all WTO Members to 
adhere to the mutually agreed rules. Oman stro ngly believes that adherence to WTO rules would 
ensure expansion and liberalization of international trade for the welfare and prosperity of people around the world. An open and liberal trade policy is welfare oriented and people-centric. 
3.3.  The broad objectives of Oman’s trade policy are: 
 Expansion of trade leading to economic development of the country. 
 Expansion and growth of production of tradable goods and services. 
 Securing greater market access for Omani goods and services. 
 Creation and expansion of employment opportunities for Omani people. 
 Ensuring availability of goods and services at reasonable prices in the domestic 
market. 
 Protecting the interests of consumers. 
 Raising the living standards of the people of Oman. 
3.4.  The Ministry of Commerce and Industry is the focal point for formulation and implementation 
of Oman’s trade policies. Proposals for formulation of specific trade policies are initiated by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, where relevant in consultation with concerned Ministries. The 
proposals after approval by the Council of Minist ers are implemented, as appropriate, either by 
issuance of Sultani decrees, subject to the approval of His Majesty the Sultan, or by Ministerial decisions. 
3.5.  The importance of trade policy is reflective  of Oman’s high dependence on foreign trade; the 
trade to GDP ratio of Oman is 108.4 percent. 
3.2  Tariffs 
3.6.  Oman has a simple, uncomplicated tariff regime. Tariffs are the main instrument of Oman’s 
trade policy. These are applicable to imports on an MFN basis, except for imports from WTO Members with which Oman has regional trade agreements or free-trade arrangements. 
3.7.  Oman has bound import tariffs on all agricultural and non-agricultural products with no 
exceptions. The simple average of its bound tariffs for all products is 13.7 percent, that for 
agricultural products is 27.7% and for non-agricultural products it is 11.6%. The non-agricultural products of Oman are a little more than 88 percent. As a result of binding 100 percent of its tariffs, 
Oman provides stable and predictable conditions of access to its market for WTO Members. Bound 
tariffs for non-agricultural products range from  0 to 25 percent. However, for more than 97 
percent of non-agricultural products, these are 15 percent or less. WT/TPR/G/295 • Oman 
 
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  3.8.  The actually applied tariffs of Oman are very low, at 4.8 percent. It may be argued that there 
is quite a gap between bound and actually applied tariffs. However, that is neither unusual nor against WTO rules. The GATT/WTO rules clearly say that import duties should not be higher than bound rates, which means that these can be lower than the bound rates. The rules do not say and 
do not imply, directly or indirectly, that the app lied tariffs should be at or close to bound rates. 
3.9.  All tariffs of Oman are at ad valorem  rates. There are no specific duties. Oman also does not 
apply any tariff quotas. 
3.3  Other measure affecting imports 
3.10.  Oman has bound other duties and charges at zero in its Schedule of Tariff Concessions and 
Commitments and it is strictly abiding by this commitment. Similarly, Oman does not apply any internal taxes to imports such as VAT, sales tax or excise duties. However, GCC Member States 
are preparing to implement. With respect to regu lations and requirements affecting internal sale, 
purchase, transportation, distribution or use of products, Oman is committed to the disciplines of Article III of the GATT 1994. 
3.11.  Oman has no prohibitions or quantitative restrictions on imports except a few which are 
justified under Articles XX and XXI of the GATT 1994, for security, health or safety reasons or necessary to protect public morals. Oman has been submitting periodic notifications on 
Quantitative Restrictions to the WTO Secretariat. 
3.12.  As for valuation of imported goods,  Oman has implemented the WTO Agreement on 
Customs Valuation, through the GCC Common Customs Law and its Implementing Regulations. 
3.13.  It may be of interest to WTO Members to know that Oman does not use import licenses for 
any purpose. 
3.14.  Preferential rules of origin are applicable to imports from GCC Member States and from Arab 
countries members of the Pan Arab Free-Trade Area as well as imports from the United States of 
America and Singapore. 
3.4  Trade remedy laws and measures 3.15.  The GCC Member States, of which Oman is one, have a common trade remedy law, which 
was revised to bring it into conformity with the WTO Agreements on Anti-Dumping, Subsidies and 
Countervailing Measures and Safeguards. Oman has, however, not applied any anti-dumping or countervailing duties or any safeguard measures since its accession to the WTO, nor has it initiated or held any investigations. 
3.5  Measures directly affecting exports 
3.16.  Oman does not apply any export duties. Ho wever, it reserves the right to apply export 
duties, as permissible under WTO rules, if and when it deemed necessary. There are no export 
licensing requirements or procedures nor an y export performance requirements. Export 
prohibitions are very few, relating to antiques, ancient manuscripts, old coins and date seedlings. Three species of fish are subject to export rest rictions during breeding and reproduction season, 
for environmental reasons. 
3.17.  There are no special procedures or requirem ents for exports. Any firm or individual, Omani 
or foreign, which has relevant commercial registration can engage in export trade. 
3.6  Exports subsidies and TRIMs 
3.18.  In terms of its commitment at the time of  its accession to WTO, Oman does not provide, 
maintain or introduce any prohibited subsidies as defined in the WTO Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures. WT/TPR/G/295 • Oman 
 
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  3.19.  Oman does provide domestic subsidies to industries in the form of soft loans by Oman 
Development Bank. However, these are non-specif ic, available to all industries and to all 
enterprises. 
3.20.  The Export Credit Guarantee Agency (ECGA) provides credit insurance and financial services 
with a view to promoting non-oil exports of Oman. 
3.21.  Oman does not apply any prohibited trade-related investment measures (TRIMs). 3.7  Trade-related intellectua l property rights (TRIPS) 
3.22.  Oman has an array of intellectual property laws which provide protection and enforcement 
of intellectual property rights equal to or even  surpassing the standards and requirements of the 
TRIPS Agreement. 
3.23.  Oman has enacted and has been implementing the following IP laws: 
- Copyright and related rights.  
- Industrial property rights (Patents- Utility model certificates – industrial designs –
layout – designs (topographies) of integrated circuits – Trademarks – Geographical 
indications). 
- Plant breeders' rights. 
3.24.  Copies of these have been submitted to the WTO Secretariat. 
4  SECTORAL DEVELOPMENTS 
4.1  Agriculture and fisheries 
4.1.  Agriculture and fisheries is a smaller sector  of Oman’s economy. The share of agriculture and 
fisheries in the GDP was only 1.2 percent in 2012. In terms of nominal GDP, agriculture and 
fisheries sector’s growth in 2012 was 9.0 percent. However, this sector has a big social impact in 
terms of rural development, food securi ty and employment in the countryside. 
4.2.  The main target of Oman’s agriculture sector  is to achieve food security. Because of that it 
does not grant any export subsidies. And, Oman has made a commitment not to grant export 
subsidies. Based on 2012 data, Oman is 62% self-sufficient in vegetables, 72% in fruit, 23% in red 
meat, 31% in poultry, 41% in milk and mi lk products and 48% sufficient in eggs. 
4.3.  In order to improve the agriculture sector, The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries carried 
out many research and extension activities to educate the farmers and increase their awareness. 
In 2012, the Ministry completed 41 research projec ts and 78 are still on-going. These research 
activities include genetic resources, toxic residual, soil and water management and biological control. The Ministry also implemented about 111,097 extension activities in 2012. 
4.2  Manufacturing 
4.4.  The manufacturing sector growth from 2008 to  2012 was around 25 percent. The growth rate 
in 2011 was 22.6 percent but it declined to 2.5 percent in 2012. The share of manufacturing in 
Oman’s GDP in 2012 was 10.1 percent. 
4.5.  The Oman Vision 2020 has set a target of ra ising the share of manufacturing to 15 percent of 
the GDP by 2020. 
4.6.  The Eighth Five Year Development Plan  (2011-2015) envisages annual growth rate of 10 
percent at current prices and 6 percent at constant prices. 
4.7.  The manufacturing sector is largely based on products of chemical and allied industries, 
articles of base metals, plastic, rubber and articles thereof and textiles, clothing and made-ups. WT/TPR/G/295 • Oman 
 
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  4.3  Oil sector and mining 
4.8.  Oil and gas sector dominates Oman’s economy. Its share in GDP in 2012 was 52.2 percent. 
The importance of this sector can be gauged from the fact that oil and gas revenues as a percentage of GDP were 40 percent in 2012, and 85.4 percent of government revenues. The share 
of oil and gas in Oman’s exports in 2012 was about 70 percent. 
4.9.  The production of crude oil increased by 4.1 percent in 2012, giving a daily average of 918 
thousand barrels. 
4.10.  Oman has pursued a policy of economic diversification by utilizing more and more 
hydrocarbon resources to develop value-added in dustries based on oil and gas. These include 
petrochemical and energy-intensive industries. 
4.11.  Mining and quarrying is a relatively small sector of Oman’s economy but it has a big 
potential. Oman is pursuing a policy of exploiting this sector within the framework of its economic 
diversification strategy. Some 110 companies are conducting mineral exploitation and operations in Oman. The major mining products are limestone, gypsum, marble, iron and chromite. 
4.4  Service, banking and financial, telecom and tourism 
4.12.  Services is an important and growing sect or of Oman’s economy. It comprises mainly of 
banking and financial services, telecommunication services, tourism and related services and 
business services. 
4.13.  The share of services in GDP increased fr om 34 percent in 2011 to 35.4 percent in 2012. 
The value added in the services sector increase d in 2012 by 16.4 percent over the previous year. 
Oman has made specific commitments in 10 sectors and 97 sub-sectors of services. 
4.14.  The banking sector comprises 18 banks, wh ich include 7 local commercial banks, 9 foreign 
banks and two specialized banks (Oman Housin g Bank and Oman Development Bank). Since 
Oman’s accession to the WTO in November 2000, four foreign banks were licensed in Oman raising 
the number of foreign banks from 5 to 9. 
4.15.  The financial services sector (other than banking) includes 6 non-bank financial and leasing 
companies, 20 insurance companies (of which 11 are local and 9 foreign), 15 insurance and 
reinsurance brokers, 48 money exchange establishments and 20 stock brokers. 
4.16.  Telecommunication services sector is regulated by the Telecommunications Regulatory 
Authority (TRA). The Ministry of Transport and Communication role is to formulate policies related to the sector. Currently there are three companies offering landline telephone and internet services 
namely Omantel, Nawras, and a consortium of Awaser Oman and PCCW International. There are 
two mobile operators namely Oman Mobile and Nowras Telecom. A third mobile phone license is under consideration for issuance. 
4.17.  Tourism and related services development is an important government objective aimed at 
diversification of the economy. The Ministry of Tourism is responsible for the comprehensive development of the sector. 
5  FREE-TRADE AGREEMENTS 
5.1  Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) 5.1.  Oman is one of the six Member States of the Gulf Cooperation Council, along with Bahrain, 
Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. The GCC was established in November 
1981 with a Free-Trade Area under which customs duties and other restrictive regulations of 
commerce were eliminated on all trade among GCC countries. 
5.2.  The Free-Trade Area was converted into the GCC Customs Union from the beginning of 2003. 
A common external tariff (CET) was established with rates of 0 percent and 5 percent for almost 
all tariff lines with a few exceptions. WT/TPR/G/295 • Oman 
 
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  5.3.  The average applied tariff of GCC Member States is 4.8 percent. 
5.4.  Non-tariff measures and other regulations of commerce on intra-GCC trade have either been 
eliminated or harmonized. The GCC has a Common Trade Remedy Law and a Common Customs Law, and some other common laws are in the making. 
5.5.  In addition to the Customs Union, the GCC has also liberalized services trade. Some 100 sub 
sectors including telecom services, banking and financial services, distribution services, professional services, some business services, tourism services, education and health services, 
have been liberalized. The liberalization process would continue progressively. 
5.2  PAFTA 5.6.  The Pan-Arab Free-Trade Area was established in 1998. Oman is a member of PAFT along 
with Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE,  Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, 
Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Yemen and the Palestinian Authority. The transition period of PAFTA was 
shortened from the original 10 years to 8 years, so that from the beginning of 2005 tariffs were eliminated on substantially all trade between Member States of PAFTA. 
5.3  Bilateral agreements 
5.7.  Oman has a bilateral Free-Trade Area Agreement with the United States. 5.8.  The GCC Member States (including Oman) have concluded Free-Trade Area agreements with 
EFTA and Singapore. 
6  OMAN, WTO AND DOHA DEVELOPMENT AGENDA 6.1  Oman and WTO 6.1.  Oman became a member of WTO in November  2000 through the difficult and time consuming 
process of accession to the WTO. It was in th e belief that the WTO provides a framework of 
mutually agreed, legally enforceable rules for the conduct of world trade, an effective mechanism for the implementation and enforcement of these rules, an elaborate and well-functioning system 
of dispute settlement and a multilateral forum for trade negotiations. 
6.2.  Oman believes that WTO is the best available forum for liberalization and expansion of 
international trade and a bulwark against protectionism. The rule-based system of the WTO is of 
benefit to all Members, but in particular to the smaller, developing countries. The WTO has stood 
the test of time and proved its utility and effectiveness in the Great Recession of the first decade of this century. 
6.3.  Oman is an active participant in the regular activities of the WTO. It participates in the 
meetings and deliberations of important Councils and Committees of the WTO, in particular the 
General Council, the Council for Trade in Goods, the Council for Trade in Services, The TRIPS Council, The Committee on Trade and Development and various other Committees and Working 
Parties. 
6.4.  Oman collaborates with all Members of the WTO on important on-going activities. It 
collaborates closely with developing countries, with members of the Arab Group and in particular 
with its GCC partners. 
6.5.  Oman has not been a party to any dispute ei ther as a complainant or as a defendant, but it 
closely follows the working of WTO’s dispute settlement system. 
6.2  Doha Development Agenda 
6.6.  Oman had attended the Doha Ministerial Conference in 2001 as a full Member of the WTO 
and had supported the Doha Ministerial Declar ation and the program of work including the 
subjects for negotiations. The DDA negotiations were launched with great promise. Its objectives WT/TPR/G/295 • Oman 
 
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  are laudable. However, it is a matter of regret that even after 13 years these objectives are not 
nearer achievement. 
6.7.  Oman had been actively participating in different areas of negotiations, of course focusing on 
its particular interests. Oman had also made contributions in different areas, including in-built 
contributions during its accession process. Oman could consider further contributions 
commensurate with its position as a small developing country with a narrow export base (other than oil). Oman’s objectives in the negotiations are greater and liberal market access on a 
predictable basis for its non-oil exports. Addition al objectives include improvement of WTO rules 
and dispute settlement procedures where relevant. 
6.8.  Oman continues to support the original objectives of the DDA which should remain undiluted. 
The interests of developing countries must remain at the heart of DDA negotiations. A lot of time 
and effort has been invested in these negotiations. The result of these efforts in the form of 
understandings reached on different subjects and issues must be protected. Settled issues should not be reopened. Oman would join other countries and would urge all WTO Members to bring DDA 
negotiations to a successful conclusion within a reasonable time frame with a substantial package 
of results. That would enhance the status and credibility of the WTO. 
6.9.  The Bali Ministerial Conference was a rare  but an important success for the WTO. Oman has 
supported the Bali package. It has re-establishe d the authority and the image of the WTO as a 
forum for multilateral trade negotiations. Bali however is not the end. It is the beginning of a process of breathing new life in Doha Round. Bali should serve as a stepping stone for the successful conclusion of Doha Round negotiations. 
7  FUTURE DIRECTION OF OMAN'S TRADE POLICY 
7.1.  Oman would continue to pursue an open and liberal trade policy based on the principles and 
rules of the multilateral trading system. It would continue to abide by its WTO commitments and 
would continue to work with other WTO Members to ensure that all Members fulfill their 
commitments in letter and in spirit. Oman would cooperate with other countries to strengthen the WTO, especially its rather tarnished negotiating functions. 
7.2.  Oman would continue with its policy of considering the WTO as the primary forum for trade 
negotiations. Oman has and would selectively conc lude preferential trade agreements within the 
framework of the GCC. However, Oman consider s preferential regional trade agreements as 
complimentary to the multilateral trading system and not a substitute for it. WT/TPR/G/295 • Oman 
 
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  ANNEX-TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NEEDS OF OMAN 
 Oman is grateful to the WTO Secretariat for providing technical assistance in the past years. 
However, technical assistance is always needed and is welcomed by Oman. Below are the priority needs of Oman: 
 More training facilities for Omani officials in Trade Policy Courses. 
 Organization of general and subject-specific trade policy seminars and workshops in 
Oman. 
 Organization of more regional seminars, workshops and trade policy courses in the 
GCC region. 
 Organization of trade policy seminars for the business community in Oman. 
 Help and assistance in meeting numerous notification obligations. 
 Upon request, to prepare background papers and notes on different subjects and 
issues under discussion in the WTO Councils and Committees and in the multilateral trade negotiations. 
 Upon request, to prepare technical and explanatory notes on specific dispute 
settlement cases. 
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