MOSCOW, Russia / EuroWire.IO / – According to Sergei Shoigu, Secretary of Russia’s Security Council, commerce between Russia and Oman soared 22-fold to reach $1.5 billion during the first seven months of 2026. Shoigu noted that this amount represents the highest figure recorded over the past decade. He made this statement 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 set a trade goal of $1 billion by 2027.
Shoigu emphasized that both parties have ample potential to sustain the positive trend and establish new trade records. He also indicated that Moscow intends to deepen cooperation with Muscat across sectors of mutual interest and to implement agreements made by their respective 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.
A plan to strengthen bilateral security collaboration from 2026 to 2028 is anticipated to be formalized during the Moscow negotiations, as reported by TASS. Drafted by the offices of both security councils following the Muscat talks, the roadmap is expected to be signed soon. Shoigu also mentioned plans for Russia and Oman to establish military attaché offices at their embassies in Muscat and Moscow, although no specific dates for the openings have been announced.
Trade Diversifies Beyond Hydrocarbon Resources
The upward trend in trade began earlier in the decade, with bilateral exchanges increasing by 62.3% between 2020 and 2024, according to Russia’s Pivot to Asia, a business publication that cited Shoigu’s statements. The scope of trade has expanded to include agriculture, metals, petrochemicals, machinery, IT services, maritime logistics, and food products. Russian investments in Omani projects related to energy, logistics, and food security have contributed to this growth. These figures reflect a broader rise in Russia’s non-resource exports for this year.
The publication highlighted that in 2025, Russia initiated its first significant shipments of refrigerated meat to Oman. The nation’s domestic poultry consumption is forecasted to reach 102,000 tonnes in 2026, prompting Russian producers of meat and poultry to seek further market expansion. Oman also aims for greater self-sufficiency in food under its Oman Vision 2040 development plan. Entities such as the Joint Economic Commission and the Oman-Russia Business Council continue to promote economic ties.
Oman Recognized as a Strategic Southern Access Point for Corridor
Oman is viewed by Russia as a vital southern gateway to the International North-South Transport Corridor, which connects Russia with Iran, Central Asia, India, and markets in the Gulf and East Africa. Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin has previously underscored Oman’s strategic location for port development, emphasizing that links between Russian and Omani ports show promising potential for the North-South route. This corridor is also part of Russia’s trade expansion plans with India.
Tourism also represents an increasing connection, with Russian visitors to Oman rising by 87% in 2025, totaling approximately 80,000 tourists, as reported by the publication. The two countries have a mutual visa-free agreement, and an increasing number of Russian companies are establishing subsidiaries in Oman. The publication notes that they are attracted by Oman’s special economic zones and its ports at Salalah, Duqm, Sohar, and Muscat.
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