MOSCOW, Russia / EuroWire.IO / – In the first seven months of 2026, trade between Russia and Oman skyrocketed 22 times, reaching a total of $1.5 billion, according to Sergei Shoigu, Secretary of Russia’s Security Council. Shoigu noted that this figure marks the highest level of trade in the past decade. He made these statements 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 scope to build on this positive trend and achieve new trade milestones. He also mentioned Moscow’s intention to strengthen cooperation with Muscat in areas of common interest, and that Russia would implement the agreements established by the two heads of state. The Security Council’s press service described the discussions as interagency consultations, with the previous round held in Muscat in November 2025.
According to TASS, a roadmap to enhance bilateral security collaboration from 2026 to 2028 was anticipated to be signed during the Moscow talks. This document was drafted by the offices of the two security councils after the Muscat meeting. Shoigu also indicated that Russia and Oman plan to establish military attaché offices at their embassies in Muscat and Moscow soon, though no specific dates were provided for these openings.
Trade broadens beyond hydrocarbons
The expansion of trade began earlier in the decade, with bilateral trade increasing by 62.3% from 2020 to 2024, as reported by Russia’s Pivot to Asia, a business publication that covered Shoigu’s remarks. Today, trade encompasses sectors such as 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 contribute to an overall rise in Russia’s non-resource exports this year, the publication added.
The report also states that Russia initiated its first large shipments of refrigerated meat to Oman in 2025. Oman’s domestic poultry consumption is expected to reach 102,000 tonnes in 2026, with Russian meat and poultry producers planning to expand their market presence. Additionally, Oman aims to achieve 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 promote business collaboration.
Oman positioned as a strategic southern gateway for corridor projects
Russia regards Oman as a promising southern gateway for the International North-South Transport Corridor, which links Russia with Iran, Central Asia, India, and markets in the Gulf and East Africa. Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin has previously highlighted Oman’s strategic location for port development, noting that connections between Russian and Omani ports hold significant potential for the North-South route. This corridor also features prominently in Russia’s trade expansion plans with India.
Tourism is another area of growing cooperation, with Russian visitor numbers to Oman increasing by 87% in 2025, reaching an estimated 80,000 tourists. Both nations facilitate a mutual visa-free regime. Furthermore, an increasing number of Russian companies are establishing subsidiaries in Oman, attracted by Oman’s special economic zones and ports at Salalah, Duqm, Sohar, and Muscat, as noted by the publication.