logo
Training empowers exporters on customs and tariff procedures

Training empowers exporters on customs and tariff procedures

Observer2 days ago
MUSCAT: A specialised training programme on the "Harmonised System and Customs Tariffs" began on Sunday, 27 July 2025, at the Liwa Centre for Science and Innovation. Organised by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion in cooperation with Credit Oman — the government-owned firm specialising in commercial credit insurance — the four-day event runs from July 27 to 30 and is attended by a number of exporters and representatives from Omani exporting companies.
The initiative aims to equip participants with the knowledge needed to navigate modern customs systems effectively and avoid procedural errors that could disrupt trade operations or result in shipment delays and financial penalties.
Ali bin Khamis al Fazari, an expert and trainer in customs procedures, delivered the programme's introductory lecture. He explained the stages and steps involved in customs clearance, offering a comprehensive overview of various types of customs data, taxes applied to goods, and the different categories of approved customs exemptions.
Ahmed bin Hamdan al Farsi, Media and Marketing Specialist at Credit Oman, gave a visual presentation outlining the company's role in supporting Oman's national export ecosystem. He highlighted the importance of credit insurance as a strategic tool for Omani exporters to reduce commercial risks, allowing them to sell goods both locally and internationally with greater assurance and protection against buyer defaults or non-payment.
Al Farsi also elaborated on the primary categories of risks covered by Credit Oman, including commercial risks such as non-payment by buyers or financial insolvency, as well as non-commercial risks resulting from government-imposed restrictions in importing countries or sudden political and economic events.
Further, the programme addressed ways to access international markets and showcased Credit Oman's range of insurance products. These include local credit insurance for domestic sales, export credit insurance for overseas markets, and the "Multiple Buyers" policy, which offers comprehensive coverage for a group of clients under a single contract.
This training initiative reflects the Ministry's ongoing efforts to boost exporters' awareness of customs regulations and procedural requirements. It aims to streamline export and import activities, enhance compliance with both local and international standards, and strengthen the capacity of Omani companies to handle customs-related challenges and adapt to changes in the global trading environment.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

More than a coat of paint: Rethinking corrosion protection in Oman
More than a coat of paint: Rethinking corrosion protection in Oman

Observer

time16 minutes ago

  • Observer

More than a coat of paint: Rethinking corrosion protection in Oman

Across Oman's energy, marine, and infrastructure sectors, corrosion is a quiet but costly adversary. While cathodic protection systems and smart monitoring technologies play a vital role, the first—and often most critical—line of defense is simpler than it seems: a coat of paint. Or more accurately, a high-performance anti-corrosion coating engineered to withstand one of the harshest environments on Earth. According to the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP), corrosion-related economic losses consume between 3% to 5% of GDP in Gulf countries, owing to the region's aggressive combination of high heat, humidity, salt spray, and dust. For Oman, that translates to hundreds of millions of Omani rials annually, with the oil and gas, desalination, and marine infrastructure sectors bearing the brunt of the damage. Globally, corrosion is estimated to cost over $2.5 trillion each year—but experts believe that up to 35% of these losses are preventable with proactive measures such as improved coatings, local standards, and QA/QC procedures. As Oman strengthens its industrial and coastal infrastructure, there is a growing opportunity to build local expertise in corrosion protection. While many coatings are currently imported, industry assessments across the Gulf show that over 60% of failures stem from application issues—such as poor surface preparation—rather than flaws in the coatings themselves. This highlights a valuable area for improvement: by enhancing training, certification, and local application standards, Oman can ensure that even the most advanced coatings perform to their full potential. Despite the presence of global industry players like Jotun Paints, which operates a manufacturing facility at Rusayl Industrial Estate, and Hempel, which supplies protective coatings to marine and offshore platforms, coating selection across Oman is still too often driven by availability and price rather than performance and environmental fit. Globally, the anti-corrosion coatings market is projected to reach $42 billion by 2028, with the Middle East accounting for a growing share—particularly in oil, gas, and maritime sectors (Statista, 2024). Yet in Oman, many assets are still coated with systems that offer a service life of just 3 to 5 years, especially if not applied under optimal conditions. In contrast, high-performance systems—such as zinc-rich epoxy primers paired with polyurethane topcoats—can extend protection to 7 to 10 years or more, provided they are installed correctly. Oman's geography presents a compelling case for home-grown solutions. Its coastal regions—Suhar, Duqm, Salalah—are prime development zones, but also among the most corrosive environments in the country. Without proper protection, even newly built infrastructure can begin to degrade within months, driving up operating and maintenance costs and compromising safety. Oman's coatings sector may still be developing, but its potential is vast. With targeted investment in accredited testing facilities, specialised training for certified applicators, and Gulf-adapted coating standards, the country has a real opportunity to lead the region in climate-resilient corrosion protection. Experts from AMPP suggest that such measures could recover up to 30% of corrosion-related losses—a substantial return on relatively modest interventions, and a smart step toward long-term savings. While technologies like cathodic protection and real-time corrosion monitoring play vital roles, coatings remain the most accessible, scalable, and cost-effective defense—especially for large, exposed assets such as pipelines, oil tanks, cranes, and marine infrastructure. In Oman's next chapter of industrial growth—from hydrogen hubs to coastal mega-projects—high-performance coatings are more than just a protective layer. They are a strategic enabler. When selected and applied with care, coatings don't just preserve structures—they protect progress, fuel resilience, and extend the value of every investment. In the end, a coat of paint isn't just where protection begins. It's where Oman's leadership in corrosion innovation can take shape.

Oman a strategic choice for green iron: Meranti
Oman a strategic choice for green iron: Meranti

Observer

time29 minutes ago

  • Observer

Oman a strategic choice for green iron: Meranti

MUSCAT, JULY 29 Singapore-headquartered low-carbon steel manufacturer Meranti Green Steel (MGS) is firming up plans to establish a Hot Briquetted Iron (HBI) facility at the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Duqm on Oman's southeast coast. Phase 1 of the project targets a production capacity of 2.5 million tonnes per year of HBI, around 60 per cent of which will be shipped as feedstock for Meranti's proposed green steel plant planned at Rayong in Thailand. The latter project, slated for commissioning in 2028, will produce 2.5 million tonnes per year of hot-rolled steel earmarked for industrial consumers of green steel across Southeast Asia. The remaining 40 per cent of HBI from the Oman project is proposed to be supplied to Meranti's offtake partners distributed around the globe. In a post on Monday, July 29, 2025, Meranti described the Oman project as a 'strategic pillar of its integrated value chain.' It also outlined several reasons for selecting Oman—and Duqm in particular—as the site for its HBI production facility. Chief among these factors, it stated, is access to competitive energy: 'Oman offers reliable, cost-competitive natural gas and a rapidly developing green hydrogen ecosystem. This makes it an ideal location for producing direct reduced iron (DRI) at scale.' Equally significant, Meranti noted, are Duqm's infrastructure and export readiness. 'The Duqm Special Economic Zone provides industrial land, deep-water port access, and efficient permitting frameworks. This supports fast-track development and efficient global distribution.' Additionally, Oman's location enables efficient supply to Meranti's steel plant in Thailand, as well as to European offtakers seeking low-emission hot briquetted iron (HBI). Shipping HBI from Oman improves logistics and lowers emissions compared to traditional supply routes, the company stressed. Earlier this month, Meranti revealed that it had received tentative commitments from the Omani government for the supply of natural gas for the HBI project in Duqm. 'With gas secured and green hydrogen partnerships advancing, Oman is now fully positioned to become a critical enabler of our mission to decarbonize iron and steelmaking,' the company stated in its most recent post. 'We are working closely with Omani authorities and our raw material partner, who are committed to sustainable industrial growth. Their support is foundational to our success,' the company added. A relatively recent entrant into the steel sector in Southeast Asia, Meranti aims to leverage the latest advancements in steelmaking and digital technologies to maintain a competitive edge. A key pillar of this strategy involves establishing geographically decoupled Hot Briquetted Iron (HBI) supply chains, sourcing from highly competitive regions such as Oman and Western Australia. This approach enables Meranti to site HBI plants in locations with strong access to competitively priced natural gas and emerging green or blue hydrogen, while situating steel production facilities closer to end-user markets.

Omani govt delegation reviews Dhofar industrial growth
Omani govt delegation reviews Dhofar industrial growth

Muscat Daily

time39 minutes ago

  • Muscat Daily

Omani govt delegation reviews Dhofar industrial growth

Salalah – A joint delegation from Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion; the Projects, Tenders and Local Content Authority; and Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry conducted a field visit to several factories in Dhofar on Monday as part of ongoing efforts to support industrial development and enhance local content. The visit included industries within Salalah Free Zone, Madayn and Dhofar Industrial Zone. Officials reviewed production processes, discussed key achievements, and explored areas for development and innovation across various manufacturing sectors. The delegation held discussions with factory representatives to understand existing challenges, identify growth opportunities, and explore mechanisms to enhance collaboration between the public and private sectors. The visit aligned with objectives of the National Industrial Strategy and aimed to increase local added value in the manufacturing sector, the ministry stated. Khalid bin Salim al Qassabi, Director General of Industry at Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, said such field visits provide an opportunity for direct dialogue with factory owners and workers. 'These visits help us understand the realities on the ground, listen to the concerns of manufacturers, and identify practical solutions that promote industrial networking and growth.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store