Oman Transitions from Trade Hub to Production Gateway

Economic analysis between China and the Arab countries, particularly Oman, shows that the trade relations go beyond mere commodity exchange to include investments, manufacturing projects, and knowledge localization. In 2024, the volume of trade between China and the Arab nations reached approximately 407.4 billion USD, with a relatively balanced distribution between exports and imports. Specifically, Oman stands out as China's largest trading partner in the region, with a trade volume of 36.73 billion USD, primarily centered on oil, which constitutes the largest part of China's imports. Oman is aiming to enhance its capacity to shift from simple importing to building a significant production base through the development of economic zones and ports, as well as encouraging direct Chinese investments, which amounted to 854 million Omani riyals by mid-2025. The goal is to diversify its non-oil exports and develop manufacturing industries in line with the "Oman 2040" vision, to promote sustainable development and economic independence.