India-Oman CEPA Seminar

本站添加: 2026-05-20

[00:02:11]Remember this thought is very important. Check.

[00:02:17]Can you all Can we all settle down?

[00:02:36]And request everyone to turn their phones on silent.

[00:03:07]So, good evening, everyone. A warm welcome to all of you.

[00:03:12]If you're wondering why I'm turning my back against you, it's the vision of our ambassador. So, first let me start welcoming each and every one of you for coming to this event.

[00:03:25]Accepting I invite representing each of your sectors.

[00:03:28]So, first of all, I would like to start thanking the honorable His Excellency, Ambassador of India to Oman, for his long wisdom and vision and in inviting us and giving us this opportunity. In fact, our aim was just to have a small gathering of a few hundred people in the physical format, but the ambassador insisted you should show the entire world that we're discussing something very important in trade today. So, pardon me for studying my back on you.

[00:03:58]This is going to be a very interactive session. And first, let's explain who we are. I'm Sharon Shaheen. I'm a lawyer and I am a partner of MTS Legal Law Firm. I am accompanied by two of my colleagues, Angelina and Shweta.

[00:04:14]Today, our aim is to break down the trade agreement between India and Oman, which is the comprehensive economic partnership agreement.

[00:04:23]So, we will try our best as lawyers. Our analogy is different from a management consultant. I hope you all understand that.

[00:04:32]So, coming back to the history of how CEPA was formed. This history of trade between India and Oman is over 5,000 years.

[00:04:43]As you all know, traders from the Malabar Coast in India and traders from the coasts of Oman were trading in spices, fragrances for over 5,000 years.

[00:04:54]But, however, this transformed into diplomatic relationships only over the last 70 years.

[00:05:00]But, this diplomatic relationship is very cordial and respectful.

[00:05:06]In 2023, it was the visit of His Majesty His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq to India, which transformed the entire future of this trade.

[00:05:20]In 2023, he started the groundwork for creation of a holistic approach to the trade between India and Oman.

[00:05:29]And this visit in 2023 was reciprocated by the visit of our honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji to Oman.

[00:05:39]That is when CEPA was officially signed.

[00:05:43]During this year, '23 and '25, these are very vital years because there was a groundwork laid and 25 was almost the execution of the agreement.

[00:05:55]So, what is SEPA?

[00:05:58]I'm sure some of you would have attended more than two three seminars on this, but let let's explain how we see SEPA.

[00:06:07]SEPA is a 1,259 page dossier, a monumental document with over 16 chapters.

[00:06:15]How each of this is relevant to each of you is going to be different. And our attempt is to not read out the dossier to you, but to decode it in simple terms.

[00:06:27]So, what is SEPA created?

[00:06:29]SEPA has created an India-Oman trade corridor.

[00:06:33]And this is not a normal trade corridor for bilateral relationships. It is a breathing live one, exchanging knowledge, information, goods, everything.

[00:06:45]The significance of why I say it's a corridor and not a door is because there is a two-way entrance for it. You're not stuck outside it or inside it. It is a long corridor and you can figure out where you stand in it.

[00:06:59]So, today there's another significance also to SEPA. SEPA comes at this juncture where India and Oman both have their visions. India is running to their vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, which is a developed country by 2047, which is the year of our centenary year of independence. And Oman is marching towards its economic discipline uh by Oman Vision 2040. So, SEPA comes at this juncture where both the countries are marching towards each of their visions.

[00:07:30]So, today my colleagues Shweta and Angelina will both help you with a lot of illustrations and uh explanations as to how uh SEPA has transformed things from how things were before and how things are today. So, this more than how you get out of this hall informed, we want you to be inspired.

[00:07:51]That is our aim. Uh so, we're on a closing note, CEPA is not an agreement between two countries, it's between individuals, people to people. So, the purpose of this agreement is for benefit of businesses. So, now I uh request my colleague Angelina to come and give you a brief insight with a lot more illustrious examples of CEPA. Thank you.

[00:08:18]Thank you, Mr. Sharon.

[00:08:20]Now, let me tell you a story which begins not in the year 2025, not in 2023, but 5,000 years ago.

[00:08:30]A merchant stands on the coast of what we call modern-day Gujarat with his cargo of black pepper, cardamom, and equal for setting sail at the port of Kalhat in Oman, nothing in his hand but trust in the winds that his cargo will reach the destination.

[00:08:52]At that time, he did not have a shipping manifest or an EIC certificate or certificate of origin. What he had was trust in the winds.

[00:09:04]But, fast forward 5,000 years, what we have now between India and Oman is a comprehensive economic partnership agreement, CEPA.

[00:09:15]Stories don't write themselves together.

[00:09:19]Simultaneously, when it comes to CEPA, it took 2 years of negotiations on chapter to chapter, clause by clause.

[00:09:28]It starts from the state visit of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq in the year 2023, followed by the state visit of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji in 20 which resulted in the culmination of CEPA. Now, when CEPA was being signed, there were other MOUs on cooperation partnership also being signed. Some of it being on higher education, maritime, millet program exchange.

[00:10:05]And it also marked the 70 years of diplomatic relationship between these two great nations.

[00:10:12]Now, before I go further, let me ask the enlightened audience here, when we talk about free trade agreement, what is something that comes to our mind? It is obviously one of the factors are reduction in import duty, percentage on spreadsheet, but CEPA isn't just what CEPA has to offer.

[00:10:37]This is the only thing that is being taken into night's event. I'm sorry.

[00:10:45]There is a lot in CEPA to offer.

[00:10:48]Now, let's take an example. We're driving from Kochi to Muscat, metaphorically, obviously. Now, between this drive, we have to pass through multiple toll gates. There would be several documentation process. Now, what happens when CEPA comes into play?

[00:11:07]When CEPA comes into play, this multiple documentation process becomes a single window.

[00:11:14]Now, with respect to the single window, we see the submission of documentation instead of being given to multiple agency, single agency takes over.

[00:11:26]Now, coming to I see here amongst the attendees, there are people representing various sectors, 12 sectors to be exact.

[00:11:37]Now, for the benefit of the address we would like to take some illustrations from the industry.

[00:11:44]Now, I see a lot some of our friends from jewelry. Now, let's take an example. If a manufacturer or a retailer of jewelry in Oman wants to import polished diamonds from India from the suppliers say from Jaipur.

[00:12:08]And before CEPA regime, what used to happen? Say for mathematical purposes, consignment of 100,000 OMR polished diamond would have attracted 5% of tax under the most favorable nation duty.

[00:12:25]Now, for that 100,000 OMR, this one has costed a tax levy of 5,000 per shipment.

[00:12:35]Annually, if there were 12 shipments to happen, it would have costed 60,000 OMR on import duties. Now, what happens after the implementation of CEPA? With the coming of CEPA, we are doing away with this 5% of import duty.

[00:12:56]Now, I also see a lot of faces from various hypermarkets, FMCGs, people representing FMCGs.

[00:13:06]Now, FMCG is also a sector [clears throat] which has a lot to gain from the implementation of CEPA, especially with respect to the importation of variety of products such as meat products, eggs, sweet biscuits, honey, etc. from India.

[00:13:27]Now, let's take another example from the FMCG sector. Say, a retailer wants to procure goods worth USD 800,000 dollars.

[00:13:40]Now, each shipment of 800,000 dollars under the previous regime, under the most favored nation tariff taxation regime, would have cost a levy of 40,000, which is 5% of 800,000 dollars.

[00:13:59]Now, for yearly procurement, say, if you're procuring 12 such shipments, it would have resulted in levy of 480,000 dollars.

[00:14:11]Now, after the implementation of CEPA, when we are sourcing products with origin in India, this tax is done away with, meaning duty-free products.

[00:14:29]Now, another example which I would like to take is with respect to spices. Now, when it comes to spices, India has been well known for its spice products, spice blends. For say, black pepper, cardamom, cumin.

[00:14:46]Now, let's take another example when it comes to spices. Now, before CEPA regime, say, if a retailer wanted to import spice blends from India, the importation of such spice blends would have taken over 5% levy on those procurement. Additionally, for each packaging of such spice blends, say, your plastic packaging or tetra packaging, again, would have resulted additional 5% tax.

[00:15:20]Now, this would have resulted a double layer of taxation.

[00:15:24]Now, what happens when CEPA comes into play? With the implementation of CEPA, the 5% tax on spices and spice blends is done away with.

[00:15:37]Additionally, if the retailer procures the packaging material from India, it also leads to doing away with 5% provided the packaging is sourced from India.

[00:15:52]Now, I also see a lot many faces from construction. When it comes to construction businesses and real estate, the bidder with the lowest bid wins the game. It's the survival of the fittest. And how does one examine the bid?

[00:16:13]Capacity. There are a lot of constants and variables. When it comes to these factors, one of the factors, if I may address, is the procurement of raw materials.

[00:16:26]Now, for mathematical purposes, let's take an illustration with a firm getting a contract of OMR 12 million.

[00:16:35]Now, for that, there is there has to be a procurement for say 800 metric ton of steel.

[00:16:42]Now, in such case, before the CEPA regime, a 5% tax would have been levied under the most favored nation taxation system. Now, after CEPA, what happens?

[00:16:55]After CEPA, the 5% of tax is being done away with, which results in higher profit margin and also determining a factor for lowering the bid capacity.

[00:17:11]Now, moving forward, we have textiles. So, India is also uh my uh a variety of itself, variety of textiles. We have so many indigenous textiles like the Jaipur cotton, Kanjeevaram silks. Now, what it has what does SEPA has for textiles? It is also one of the many products listed in the Harmonized System Series under chapter 1 to 97. So, the products the textile products sold from India also get the benefit of zero tax on importation.

[00:17:55]Now, let's also take another example of what happens when we import HDPE and LLDPE granules from say Indian petrochemical producers for pipe and fitting manufacturing. Now, earlier it would have uh there would have be a living of 5% tax for importation.

[00:18:18]Now, under the after the implementation of SEPA, this 5% tax would be done away with.

[00:18:29]Now, I have been addressing a lot of industry especially when it comes to Indian based products. Now, it's only fair to also address industry based in Oman. As my colleague Mr. Sharon had addressed earlier, SEPA is not just a road, it's corridor. And SEPA understands the mutual recognition of benefits between the two countries. Now, let's take an example of a well-known Omani product. Reem batteries, if I may.

[00:19:01]Now, when it comes to Reem batteries, say if the production of Reem batteries is done in Oman itself. But, what happens say if the accessories sold with three batteries are produced in a third country? Now, as I had explained earlier, when the origin of the product is in either Oman or India, it gets the benefit of taxation under CEPA. But, what if certain accessories, which has to be sold with the product, are sourced from elsewhere?

[00:19:37]Now, CEPA clearly distinguishes what ha- which products and what type of categories can get the benefit. Now, when it comes to this, the example of the battery, if the battery is produced in Oman and the accessories is produced in third country, if the accessories are sold together with the same invoice, then it also gets the benefit under CEPA.

[00:20:09]Now, sorry for the disturbance.

[00:20:17]Now, coming to another industry, which is tiles. Now, tiles also has taken a seat when it comes to being one of the beneficiary of CEPA, especially when it comes to indigenous tiles like our Athangudi tile, terrazzo.

[00:20:35]It also is And here, I also want to emphasize this fact that India is one of the import exporters of tiles to Oman. So, the tile industry also has great advantage over the implementation of CEPA.

[00:20:56]Now, health care procurement. Now, if I may boast a little bit of India's health care industry, India is one of the leading examples of a good manufacturing and equipment when it comes to healthcare. And when it comes to the implementation of SEPA, the healthcare industry also has a lot of advantage.

[00:21:22]Now, the imports with respect to the first aid kits, uh healthcare equipments machinery for which an earlier 5% tax was being levied under the most favored nation would now be down to zero making it duty free under the SEPA regime.

[00:21:47]Now, let's talk take another well-known example of Omani domestic product, which is Bahar detergent. Now, does Omani product has the benefit after the implementation of SEPA?

[00:22:03]Now, the implementation of SEPA makes the Omani domestic product competitive in the Indian market with the reduction in taxation. Now, the 1.4 billion consumer market if it's open to other producers with favorable taxation regime, it makes the market more viable viable viable for the products to be sold. Now, let's take the example illustration of Bahar. Now, India as I told has a population running in billions. Now, with respect to Bahar, if even a state is open for competition with domestic products, say Kerala, a city in Kerala, say Kochi, with a population of 5 million people, now this itself would create a competitive advantage when such market is being open for an Omani product.

[00:23:08]Now, let's take another example of another well-known brand, which is Omani cables. Now, over the years with strict stringent policies over the standards to be procured for respective Omani cables, it has become one of the leading cables in Oman. Now, with the coming of SEPA and the reduction of taxation, Omani cable is also one of the industry which is to benefit with opening of more competitive market in India.

[00:23:43]Same with respect to petrochemical. Now, with respect to the Indian consumer base, we see the number of automobile usage increasing day by day with the increase in population. Also, we have other benefits for entering the consumer market with respect to the petrochemical industry.

[00:24:10]Again, when it comes to spice trade with respect to pepper, cardamom, turmeric, cumin, coriander, and other spice blends, the importation of Indian products with the pro-SEPA regime, we see the reduction in tariffs.

[00:24:31]Now, there is a delicacy enjoyed in India as well as in Oman, which is the Omani king fish. Now, even before the SEPA, the implementation of SEPA, it was a delicacy that was being widely cherished. Now, what happens after the implementation of SEPA? Now, this Omani fish becomes more competitive with its counterparts in other sea fishes.

[00:25:04]With this, I end my segment and I invite my colleague, Mr. Sharon, to shed some light about the key provisions of CEPA and how it is to be benefited. Thank you.

[00:25:29]Thank you, Angelina. I think that was very elaborate and very illustrious.

[00:25:34]I'm sure you it doesn't leave any room for doubt.

[00:25:37]Of course, with the positive time, we had to make our examples very short.

[00:25:42]Now, going to how holistic or in-depth this agreement is, I am just going to examine only these six chapters of CEPA. There are a total of 16 chapters in CEPA, but these six chapters to show that how depth in-depth the creators of this agreement or this partnership has gone into consider every aspect of trade. So, first, let's take in the general definitions, there is goods defined. So, goods has been widely defined including in the goods which are included in chapters 1 to 97 of the harmonious system. Why this is relevant to each of you is what is the rules of origin? What is the country of origin? All this can only be clarified which good is entitled to exemption. All this can only be understood if there is a clarity in the definition. And I think CEPA does a very good job in going in clarity. In earlier agreements, there would have always be an ambiguity which this good is attracted attracts CEPA, this good and is entitled to benefit. Now, the definition gives you a clear picture where you are entitled to exemption.

[00:26:55]Now, the most important question which is definitely there in each and every one of your mind.

[00:27:00]When is the tariff elimination going to be effective?

[00:27:04]I'm sure that that that's there in your mind.

[00:27:07]So, CEPA has taken one chapter to just explain that it is going to have a phased tariff elimination for certain products and a lot of products are going to have tariff elimination from the date of signing.

[00:27:22]So, say for example, now I think there are my friends from jewelry, food, textiles, engineering goods, and plastics.

[00:27:31]These goods would be entitled to the duty exemption from the date of signing of the agreement. So, these goods will get immediately.

[00:27:41]The other goods, there is a clear timetable of phased duty elimination. Say, 5 years, 10 years, and 15 years. So, CEPA has gone the makers have gone in really depth taking care of both the domestic markets here as well as there because an exemption if for every good will, you know, destabilize the market and create unfair competition. So, phased elimination is also a very integral part of CEPA. So, that advanced as CEPA is.

[00:28:12]Now, going to another thing, policy rational behind CEPA is CEPA is only going to reward genuine economic activity between India and Oman.

[00:28:25]So, what I want to address is packaging rules.

[00:28:28]Of course, when a duty exemption or a benefit like this comes into picture, there will definitely be elements who try to take the benefit by repackaging or relabeling.

[00:28:40]CEPA does not appreciate such practices and the rules of origin will come into play and will quickly identify such repackaging and relabeling pro now I if I take the example of a vendor in Mumbai who import spices from another country.

[00:28:59]I wouldn't name the country and repackages them as an Indian spices brand and exports it to Oman.

[00:29:06]There the Indian brand would not get any benefits of SEPA because there is no country of origin clearly defined. SEPA does not accept such unclear rules of origin procedures by exporters.

[00:29:21]So only if you are very clear to the agreement the agreement will also take care of you.

[00:29:27]Now one important aspect of SEPA which I think is a game-changer is the Pharma industry.

[00:29:35]What SEPA has done to the Pharma industry pharmaceutical procurement has been fast-tracked.

[00:29:41]Very important aspect is certain foreign recognitions like US FDA EMA UK MHRA TGA Australia. These are foreign accreditations.

[00:29:53]Now what SEPA has done is this to ensure that the benefit is available to Omani patients and Omani common people because of course India may be a larger Pharma exporter when you take both the countries. So taking into that into consideration this agreement has made a very very vital aspect of doing away with further accreditations. If there is an accreditation from one country, that would suffice. So this has made expedited market authorization in Oman without fresh inspection of any manufacturing facility.

[00:30:32]And one more aspect is the 90-day inspi 90-day marketing authorization timeline for certain other eligible products. And another this thing is that the last nail in the coffin is the 270-day 270 working day structured timeline. So, SEPA said that for pharma products which are of critical nation nature which require factory inspections, not beyond 270 days. And of course, you'll all be thinking we've heard structures and days like that, but SEPA is backing it with a lot of other aspects.

[00:31:07]Not just the implementation. There is also a post-market surveillance aspect also which is taken care of by SEPA.

[00:31:16]SEPA also has is giving recognitions to agencies which recognize good manufacturing practices, good clinical practices. These good manufacturing practices and GCP certificates from any of the one nation would suffice for you to get your product here. So, it's not required for double accreditation and double this thing. This of course saves time and your product is in the market even before the other hurdles are there.

[00:31:46]Now, other than this when I told you about post-market surveillance, so SEPA is taken care of not just pushing the product into a country.

[00:31:57]Especially an industry like pharma, what is most important is to know the feedback of how the product is running.

[00:32:04]So, SEPA has gone into explaining that this is a two-way channel.

[00:32:08]Once a good is pushed there, you have to you know, there there should be an adverse event data, recall notifications, and regulatory action information. These have to be shared after the good after the good is pushed.

[00:32:22]So, we do not only just push the good here, we also ensure that what happens post-market surveillance is also shared. This is required as per the agreement. I think this is a very landmark move what SEPA has brought in.

[00:32:37]Now, now regarding uh another aspect CEPA CEPA has gone into detail is creation of a competent authority for recognition of sanitary and phytosanitary measures. Of course, I also asked the first time I read CEPA, what is sanitary and phytosanitary measures? It's nothing.

[00:32:58]It's sanitary and phytosanitary measures are food safety, animal health, and health compliance. This is for food products mainly. So, CEPA has now said that the with the coming into effect of CEPA, you do not need accreditation from two countries. If you have a certification from India for say for example from the Export Inspection Council or the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India FSSAI, you do not need a further re-accreditation in Oman.

[00:33:29]So, with the coming into effect of CEPA, you your regulatory compliance will reduce uh drastically. This is very important for people in the hypermarket space and other industry because this testing takes a lot of time and the regulatory compliances of both are quite different. So, that timeline is totally reduced with the coming of this body.

[00:33:54]So, now there would not be a requirement of parallel testing in an Omani laboratory or a parallel testing in an Indian laboratory. If it is from an accredited uh laboratory or a registered authority in one country, the same would not be have would not have to be retested in the other country.

[00:34:15]So, coming to another aspect which my colleague Angelina already addressed, which is regarding what happens when you regarding accessories, spare parts, and tools. So, I think Angelina gave a very good example of uh you importing a product she was talking about battery, but similarly I can say an example of an earth mover. If you import an earth mover and you import the you invoice the accessories of the earth mover at the time of export, then CEPA's benefits will be entitled to you. But if you invoice them separately, like for example if it's an earth mover, it may have the tongs or whatever extra fittings you I'm sure you know in the construction. So, if all of them are invoiced at the same time of export, then you get the benefits of CEPA. But if you do it separately, then the question of rules of origin come and it will be treated as two different products.

[00:35:14]Now, last of course is what are the obligations of every exporter and what are the penalties? I'm sure you would like to know what happens when CEPA is very simple. You have a clear vision. If you are very true in explaining your rules of origin and you are always open to get the documents inspected, then CEPA will reward you with whatever percentage without any bottleneck. It's quite fast. But however, if not, you will be penalized by the the competent authority of the exporting country. I can say for India, it'll be the customs authority and it can be the foreign trade development and regulation act. So, false CEPA claims will be penalized, but otherwise if an exporter is open to show his books and his authorities then and prove his rules of origin, I think CEPA would be a very beneficial legislation.

[00:36:11]So, now I have just taken certain important legal frameworks and how in-depth CEPA has gone. I'm sure you are all curious. We've heard everything about CEPA. We've heard the examples, but how is the customs procedure in CEPA? I think my friend Shweta is going to throw some light on that. Purely how the rules of origin are. Thank you.

[00:36:42]Thank you, Sharon.

[00:36:44]Here, we have seen how CEPA redesigns the route. My job here is to explain the traffic rules on that road in order to understand who actually gets benefited from CEPA.

[00:36:58]The most fundamental question in any free trade agreement is that whose goods are these really?

[00:37:06]For example, if I take a raw material from China and label it in Mumbai and call it an Indian product, I get a zero benefit or benefits under CEPA.

[00:37:17]Answer is no.

[00:37:19]This is why CEPA has something called as rules of origin.

[00:37:23]CEPA basically says that says if in order in order for a product to be qualified under rules of origin, qualifies in two ways.

[00:37:34]First is wholly obtained produced. These are products that are completely obtained or produced in one country without the use of any foreign material.

[00:37:46]For example, if we take the crops grown in Indian farms, fishes caught by Indian vessels, minerals mined in India, these are clearly an Indian product. Now, moving on to the second way, that is sufficient work or production.

[00:38:02]This applies to the products which contains imported Sorry.

[00:38:11]Hello.

[00:38:16]Let's continue.

[00:38:19]Now, moving on to the second one, that is subject to work for production.

[00:38:23]Similar applies for same product anymore.

[00:39:00]Here, the real manufacturing has happened in India.

[00:39:03]Here, CEPA treats this final product as Indian origin.

[00:39:09]Now, Okay. Now, moving on to uh de minimis doctrine. That is, in simple terms, if the foreign content in any product is very small, that is, less than 10% of the export value, product can still qualify as Indian origin.

[00:39:32]CEPA understands this that in real world manufacturing, it's almost impossible for any every tiny component to come from one country alone. For example, imagine an Indian company manufacturing electric mixers to export to Oman. Almost everything is made in India, but maybe a small imported electronic chip that is worth of 80 rupees uh comes from China or any other country. Now, here, and the FOB value of the mixer could be 2,000 rupees. Now, here, 80 80 rupees is much less than 10% of the FOB value.

[00:40:14]Here, CEPA under CEPA, this small imported component is acceptable.

[00:40:21]Here, the product still gets an Indian origin status and can enjoy the benefits of CEPA.

[00:40:27]Now, CEPA also looks at the other side of the picture.

[00:40:33]Because if there were no restrictions, the agreement could be misused very easily.

[00:40:39]Now, moving on to minimal or insufficient operation.

[00:40:45]Some activities are considered to be too small or minimal to be counted as real manufacturing. CEPA lists out several operations that do not count as sufficient transformation. For example, simple packaging, labeling, sorting, cleaning, diluting, applying preservatives. These cosmetic changes do not make a product Indian.

[00:41:10]This is CEPA closing the loopholes before they are being exploited.

[00:41:19]I'll give you an example.

[00:41:20]Suppose a trader imports readymade chocolates from one country and removes its original wrapper and puts into new boxes in India and tries to export the same to Oman claiming an Indian origin. Here, CEPA will not allow this. Merely changing the package or label does not make the chocolate an Indian product.

[00:41:44]Now, moving on to proof of origin or reimbursement.

[00:41:50]Now, till now, we have established that your goods qualify under the rule of origin, but how do you prove it?

[00:41:58]That is done through the certificate of origin. It can be in printed or in electronic form. And certificate of origin acts as passport to zero duty treatment.

[00:42:10]And without this document, customs authority may refuse CEPA benefits to your goods.

[00:42:17]And even if your product is completely eligible for the same.

[00:42:22]For example, see.

[00:42:24]Suppose an Indian textile exporter sends garments to Oman and wants to avail zero customs duty under CEPA.

[00:42:32]Along with the shipping document, the exporter must submit the certificate of origin.

[00:42:39]But without the certificate Omani customs may treat your goods as ordinary ordinary imports and charge full customs from you.

[00:42:50]So, no matter how eligible your goods or product is, without certificate of origin, the CEPA benefits will not be given to you.

[00:42:59]Now, moving on to direct consignment.

[00:43:03]In order to claim benefits under CEPA, your goods must travel directly between India and Oman.

[00:43:11]But if they transit through a third country, they must not enter a trade or consumption stream of another country.

[00:43:18]Transshipment through a third country port with a seal maintained by customs is permissible under CEPA.

[00:43:26]For example, an Indian exporter may send machinery to Oman through port of Dubai because there is no direct shipping route.

[00:43:39]This is perfectly acceptable under CEPA, provided the goods remain sealed and under the supervision of the customs.

[00:43:47]And are not opened for commercial use in Dubai.

[00:43:52]But if the goods are opened Yeah, but if the goods are opened, repackaged or sold the CEPA benefits may be lost. So, maintaining a proper transit documentation becomes very important here.

[00:44:13]And here is a protection that you really need to know.

[00:44:16]If an importer has already paid duties on goods that should have qualified under preferential rates under CEPA, they can claim a refund.

[00:44:26]Duties paid in excess are reimbursable and guarantees provided as security for imported goods are released.

[00:44:36]So, here, if you have already been trading between India and Oman, and you have paid duties that you shouldn't have, CEPA retrospectively protects you.

[00:44:46]For example, an Omani importer purchases ceramic products from India.

[00:44:55]And at that time, since the certificate of origin was not available, the importer had to pay the complete customs duty.

[00:45:03]Later, the importer submits the certificate of origin.

[00:45:08]Here, after submitting the certificate of origin, product was eligible under CEPA, and the extra duty which the the exporter had to pay was refunded to him.

[00:45:20]Now, now, moving on to uh one of the important chapter, that is customs procedures and trade facilitation.

[00:45:33]Here, CEPA focuses heavily on making trade faster and smoother. Let me walk you through certain key mechanisms.

[00:45:41]First one is single window system.

[00:45:44]Previously, an an importer might need to submit lot of documents, same documents to lot of agencies like port agencies, health authority, and multiple other agencies separately.

[00:45:57]The single window system eliminates this. Here, one submission, one portal, and all agencies receive the data simultaneously.

[00:46:06]For companies managing dozens of shipments a month, this is not a minor convenience. It is a structural efficiency gain.

[00:46:16]Moving on to pre-arrival processing.

[00:46:20]Here, you can submit your import documentation before your shipment arrives.

[00:46:25]This means customs clearance process processing begins while your ships are at sea or in transit. By the time your vessels docks, your clearance may be already be ready.

[00:46:42]For industries dealing with perishable goods like food, pharma, fresh produce, this acts like a game-changer. Now, moving on to advanced ruling. So, what happens here? If you're planning to import a product, you can directly ask customs, "Does my product qualify as originating?

[00:47:03]What classification does it fall under?"

[00:47:06]You get a binding answer from customs before you ship. So, this eliminates the risk of nasty surprises at the border.

[00:47:15]Advanced ruling is binding on the customs authority and not on other traders. So, your here your investment is protected.

[00:47:26]Now, moving on to inquiry points.

[00:47:34]Simple mandates the establishment of inquiry points.

[00:47:38]If your shipment if your shipment is held up, if there is a classification dispute, or if you need any clarity on the procedures, there is now a designated point of contact. This is SEPA building accountability into system.

[00:47:53]Moving on to authorized economic operator status.

[00:47:57]AEO program is SEPA's trusted trade link.

[00:48:01]Businesses with strong record of compliance, financial stability, and operational reliability can apply for AEO status.

[00:48:10]Once they are granted, they receive expedited uh processing, fewer physical inspections, priority clearance, reduced documentation burden, etc. For high-volume traders, this status status is worth pursuing.

[00:48:27]Now, moving on to customs review and appeal.

[00:48:33]If a customs decision goes against you, SEPA guarantees you the right to administrative review.

[00:48:40]Here, you can appeal to the customs administration itself. If If that fails, there is judicial review that is available to you.

[00:48:49]Here, it means that the system is not a black box. It is reviewable, challengeable, and accountable.

[00:48:56]Now, moving on to temporary admissions.

[00:49:01]So, professional equipments, scientific instruments, goods that are brought for exhibitions, ex- all these products, etc., all can enter Oman temporarily without any customs duty, provided they are being re-exported.

[00:49:18]For example, an Indian company participates in a trade exhibition in Muscat and brings a lot of demo products or technical equipments. These All these item can enter Oman duty-free because they are here for only temporary purposes and not for sale.

[00:49:39]Moving on to duty-free entry of commercial samples.

[00:49:43]If you want to test your product in Oman Omani market before committing a committing to a full-scale export, you can bring your samples, which is of small quantity or and negligible value.

[00:49:55]Those products will enter Oman duty-free.

[00:49:58]Also, with your samples, you will have advertising materials, right? Those materials can also enter Oman duty-free.

[00:50:05]I'll give an example. Imagine an Indian cosmetic company planning to launch their products in Omani market. Before making a major investment, the company may want to send some skin care samples products to distributors in Muscat.

[00:50:22]Under CEPA, these small samples can enter Oman with without customs duty.

[00:50:28]Similarly, the the brochures or the catalogs, promotional leaflets, all these materials can also enter Oman duty-free.

[00:50:37]Now, moving on to goods returned after repair.

[00:50:41]If a product is sent back to India for repair or alteration and returned within 1 year, no customs duty applies regardless of the origin.

[00:50:51]For instance, suppose an industrial machine used in Oman develops a technical defect. It can be sent back to India and get it repaired in India.

[00:51:03]And once repaired, the machine can enter Oman without attracting any customs duty again.

[00:51:10]Now, moving on to SPS measures. Now, I want to especially address those of you in food, agriculture, health care, and pharmaceuticals.

[00:51:22]What are SPS measures?

[00:51:25]SPS measures mainly concerns with food safety, animal health, plant protection standards.

[00:51:32]It means that neither India nor Oman will use health and safety standards as disguised barrier to trade.

[00:51:41]Sanitary measures must be scientifically justified, proportionate, and applied uniformly.

[00:51:49]We can understand that here there is a bilateral recognition of equivalence.

[00:51:55]If a safety standard that achieves the same level of protection as that of Oman, Oman must accept it. This means that Indian food products certified under FSSAI can enter Oman without being retested. Now, moving on to the importance of EIC certificate, that is Export Inspection Council.

[00:52:19]For many products, Oman accepts the Indian government's EIC certificate directly. And this includes products like fish and seafood products, milk and dairy, eggs, honey, fruits and vegetables, etc. I'll give an example. Suppose an Indian exporter wants to ship frozen shrimps to Oman. Earlier, the importer had to face a lot of inspections and additional certification requirements in Oman. And but under CEPA, if the product has an EIC certificate, Oman's authorities are expected to accept it as a valid proof of compliance.

[00:53:01]Now, moving on to pharmaceuticals.

[00:53:06]Previously, an Indian pharmaceutical company would get its projects products certified under US FDA, EMA, UK MHRA or TGA. Then, in order to sell it in Oman, they would need to go through Oman's own inspection and approval process again, which means double testing, double cost, double time.

[00:53:27]Here, CEPA eliminates this. Under CEPA, if a pharmaceutical product is already approved by US FDA, EMA, UK MHRA or TGA, Oman accepts the certificate without requiring prior inspection.

[00:53:42]Under CEPA, Oman agrees that for certain eligible pharmaceutical products, approval should be given within 90 days.

[00:53:54]Where the inspections are genuinely required, the target would be 270 working days. Now, moving on to TBT, that is technical barriers to trade.

[00:54:05]CEPA also brings major advantages.

[00:54:10]Sorry.

[00:54:11]CEPA ensures that Indian goods receive fair treatment.

[00:54:16]There will be no discriminatory technical barriers. There will be no different conformity test for origin goods, which means that Oman cannot impose harsher testing or certification requirements simply because the product is from India.

[00:54:32]Now, CEPA also brings major advantages to pharmaceutical sector by simplifying regulatory requirements.

[00:54:42]One important part is recognition of internationally accepted standards like GPM or CGP, which are goods manufacturing practices and good clinical practices.

[00:54:55]Under CEPA, if an Indian pharmaceutical company Under CEPA, if pharmaceutical companies already have these internationally accepted certifications, Oman is more willing to accept it.

[00:55:12]Under CEPA, it also simplifies something called as stability testing, which means that earlier, companies may have had to repeat separate testing procedures for Oman, even if similar tests were conducted already conducted internationally. And finally, CEPA also aims to make pharmaceutical products pricing more practical and competitive according to the local market in Oman.

[00:55:39]This means that Indian Pharma can price competitively for public and private hospitals in Oman.

[00:55:48]Here, we have now seen that how CEPA makes goods move better, faster, and more cheaply.

[00:55:55]But CEPA is not just an agreement. It is a comprehensive economic partnership.

[00:56:00]And that the word comprehensive means it reaches into services, health care, technology, innovation, and even how we resolve disputes when something goes wrong.

[00:56:12]Now, my colleague Angelina will now bring you the final chapter.

[00:56:16]Over to you, Angelina.

[00:56:24]Thank you, Shweta.

[00:56:26]I opened with a story of a merchant crossing the Arabian Sea. Shweta explained how his goods would be certified, cleared, and delivered under CEPA. Now, it's time to talk about something which does not go into the shipping containers, which is trade in services. Now, within the framework of CEPA itself, CEPA encourages the cross-border trade in services between the two nations.

[00:56:53]Now, aligning aligning with Oman's Vision 2040 and Viksit Bharat 2047, Oman the CEPA Yeah.

[00:57:08]So, back to my slide. So, aligning with Oman's Vision 2040 and Viksit Bharat 2047, what CEPA wants to move forward is a collaboration in the field of medical health care.

[00:57:23]Now, when it comes to this collaboration, there is a push for the facilitation of traditional Indian medicine like Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha medicine.

[00:57:38]Under the facilitation of trade, there is a mutual in trade and services, there is a mutual recognition of the education qualification and experiences of individuals in the field of medicine, physiotherapy, midwifery, and nursing.

[00:57:56]In today's today's event, I had a conversation with a gentleman who asked about his query about the anti-dumping measures under the SEPA regime. So, whenever there is any free trade agreement, when we are talking about free trade agreement, what happens? The import duty comes down.

[00:58:19]What it creates an influx of the foreign products in the domestic market, and sometimes the imported products are in direct competition with the domestic product. And sometimes it also causes serious injury to the domestic market.

[00:58:36]So, if such serious injury happens because of the reduction in tariff, is there any measure under SEPA?

[00:58:45]Yes, there is. And that is the anti-dumping safeguards.

[00:58:50]So, under SEPA, when there is a serious injury detected when it comes to a domestic market, then the nations can stop the reduction in tariff. However, this stoppage elimination cannot be indefinite, which means it cannot be extended after a certain period of time.

[00:59:12]The time is capped.

[00:59:14]Now, coming to MSMEs, micro, small, and medium enterprises. So, when it comes to a lot of free trade agreement, something under appreciated happens with respect to MSMEs. However, CEPA makes it it's one of the aims to promote MSME growth and cooperation between these two countries. Now, how does it happen? With with respect to these MSMEs, there is the talk of establishing and creation of committee on MSMEs. There is also a push for establishing incubators, accelerators, export assistance centers exclusively for MSMEs. An international network is in search for sharing best practices.

[01:00:05]Now, coming to the cooperation's ecosystem.

[01:00:10]Now, as we have been at length discussing about the cooperation between the two nations, these sectors are enumerated on the slide for which the cooperation will happen.

[01:00:23]We start with mining and minerals, lead second pharma health care, virtual trade, space and technology, tourism, logistic, defense manufacturing, and innovation and trade. Now, let me take one example when where cooperation is intended between the two nations.

[01:00:45]Let's take the example of education.

[01:00:48]Now, India is one of the playing ground of premier educational institute and the branches like for example, we have Amity, Manipal, Symbiosis, ISB, Hyderabad. So, when it comes to these premier institutions, they have their branches out in other GCC countries, in UAE, Australia, Singapore, elsewhere.

[01:01:12]Now, Oman also boasts one of the largest population of the Indian expatriates.

[01:01:20]However, we don't see when it comes to the establishment of these premier education institute in India.

[01:01:29]From India to Oman. So, CEPA also creates a framework for establishing more premier educational institutes.

[01:01:39]Well, what happens when something goes wrong? When there is let's say a confusion with respect to the interpretation of the terms within the framework of CEPA.

[01:01:51]Now, over to the screen, there is a three-step mechanism for resolving disputes or disagreement with respect to the termination with respect to what certain term or should mean. So, step one is the consultation between the two countries.

[01:02:11]And what happens if the consultation fails? It is mediation.

[01:02:16]And what happens when mediation fails?

[01:02:19]Ending with formal arbitration proceedings.

[01:02:25]We have covered a lot of ground today.

[01:02:28]60 minutes to cover what took two years to negotiate and 5,000 years of trust.

[01:02:35]But before I close, I want you to leave with something practical. Because a seminar that ends without a call of action is just expensive coffee evening.

[01:02:49]5,000 years ago, a merchant set sail from the coast of India with a handful of black pepper, cotton, and a prayer.

[01:02:58]He did not know if his cargo will reach his destination or if his customers would pay him for his cargo.

[01:03:07]Today, you have something that the merchant never had. You have a legal certainty in the form of CEPA.

[01:03:15]You have tariff commitments. You have custom infrastructure. You have dispute resolution.

[01:03:23]You have mutual recognition.

[01:03:27]The question is not whether SEPA creates opportunity.

[01:03:32]Question is, are you ready to use it?

[01:03:37]With this, I thank you for your time, attention, and trust. Thank you.

[01:03:48]Thank you, Angelina. It was again elaborate.

[01:03:50]And I think more insightful.

[01:03:53]So, as you're all aware, we were supposed to be joined We are joined already by our Excellency Ambassador to India online. He's there with us. So, he would like to address it, but before he we would like to take some questions from you. And regarding the questions, let's tell you first itself and we'll take bail as lawyers. We always give you a disclaimer.

[01:04:16]Tell you what is the best we know in the agreement. For the technical side, we'll try our best to answer it. If not, we'll get back to you. We have your details.

[01:04:25]So, the floor is open for any relevant questions.

[01:04:46]>> [clears throat] >> Before asking any questions, first of all, thank you so much for the excellent presentation.

[01:04:54]A treaty A treaty to which is running into several hundred pages. And you illustrated in a few slides. And the insight has been so deep and unstrunging. And your presentation has been appreciable. Thank you. Thank you.

[01:05:10]>> Uh, >> have one or two suggestions.

[01:05:12]One is um medical tourism. As she mentioned, this is a part of the trade agreement that to encourage and develop.

[01:05:22]Now, um there are so many Omani patients going abroad for under the medical tourism itinerary, and they are going worldwide.

[01:05:36]Now, India is one definitely one of the destinations, but then there are certain um uh not I don't say uh unencouraging, but there are certain things which can be done. One is the uh visa regulations, and more so the visa fee. It is highest to them in India.

[01:05:56]The other countries are trying to attract inter Omani for people by offering so many uh concessions and attractions. India is keeping a sort of higher level of fee will be a discouragement, one of the discouragements for and not attracting people or discouraging people. So, under CEPA if something can be done applied for can be applied to reduce or eliminate the fee will be a uh further boost of our our relationship with India healthcare industry.

[01:06:31]So. Thank you for your question.

[01:06:34]In fact, uh CEPA has gone into depth regarding medical tourism, and uh there is an entire chapter talking about how to in to promote Omani uh patients coming to India or taking two types of treatment. One is for proper uh diseases, and one is for holistic treatment of Ayurveda and all that. So, there is a chapter which gives you clear duty. Uh there are some benefits. Uh if you ask me, I cannot give you the exact uh offhand. I I can just get back to you after this.

[01:07:06]Uh Uh, there is there is something very clearly which is taking into consideration.

[01:07:11]Yeah. Yeah, my suggestion is that try to eliminate or reduce the fee. Very simple. If uh it can be operated under CEPA, that would be an ideal thing.

[01:07:22]Uh second thing is again one more thing.

[01:07:24]>> Yes. Uh you mentioned so much about the Indian pharmaceutical industry and its potential to export worldwide. It is acceptable and it is exported worldwide.

[01:07:35]But when it comes to Oman, the Indian medical products are less represented or the share in the market is much less compared to all the other exporting company companies countries products here. Okay. So under CEPA again, the pharmaceutical industry can take an emphatic action to increase the volume. Especially now you mentioned that there are no more double testing.

[01:08:05]And one thing that has been preventing the volume has been the double testing and very often the Indian products doesn't get through compared to the European products. Now that testing is no more, so this could take a big boost in the volume volume and share in this market.

[01:08:26]Really sir, thank you for your question.

[01:08:27]Regarding this I can answer this question because as you're aware, CEPA has gone into depth and India is a bigger pharma country only compared to Oman.

[01:08:40]Compared to both taking both countries into perspective. And because there is a lot of relation between the two countries in the field of medicine, we've been exchanging services. A lot of our doctors are here. Most of a good representation in the hospitals. So government has taken a very in-depth view in this and they have now brought in very serious they're doing a massive push to not only push the uh uh products initially and ensure that there is a post market surveillance also to ensure that they they reach the final customer, final patient or whoever is the user and the effectiveness of the medicine is also perfect. So and that does not end with just dumping and just taking surveillance. They're ensuring that this constant exchange of information is there and they've also ensured the tariffs are also lesser for this.

[01:09:34]Any other questions?

[01:09:36]Yeah, hi.

[01:09:38]Um Yes, yes. Yeah, I'm Muhammad Sawad representing the company Soul Fire. Yes.

[01:09:45]So as a importer for the fresh produce, especially in food sector, Sanitary. So how does SEPA positively affect us as an importer and a distributor in Oman?

[01:09:56]Uh I think that's a very vital question in in this sector alone, SEPA has brought in a very vital aspect of reducing double testing.

[01:10:08]If you are importing a product, I now SEPA's between India and Oman.

[01:10:13]So if you are into importing goods from India, you do not need to double test it in Oman.

[01:10:19]Earlier you had to because you know the standards food standards are different in Oman and India and accreditation agencies are also different. It takes a lot of time, of course. You can't blame the governments and it always takes time in both the countries because of their own methods and standards. So now SEPA has given a real good clarity stating that for sanitary and phytosanitary measures, you will be given a clear if you have an recognition from the an accredited laboratory of the country from which you're importing it, that would more than suffice use the products in India. There is a clarity on that. So, you do not have to come back to Oman and test it. And this is which are those goods are also been clear clarified in the SEPA. In the definition of goods. So, how about the import duties?

[01:11:10]It has been reduced from zero to five.

[01:11:14]I'm sorry, five to zero. For like all the food products in there?

[01:11:18]Not all the food products. That has to be defined. My Angelina will learn.

[01:11:22]With respect to that question, the products which get the benefit are listed in the H series, harmonized series from chapter 1 to 97.

[01:11:33]In the SEPA itself. So, with respect to that, that is the answer to the question. The number of goods and the type of goods that would be exempted.

[01:11:43]So, if in case of any query, we can always get back to the chapters.

[01:11:48]Could you please share that after the meeting?

[01:11:50]Surely, surely.

[01:11:56]Anything else? Yes, sir. Yes, please.

[01:11:58]I myself Harris from Al Karama group. My perspective is actually this benefit for Indian origin product, right?

[01:12:08]Yes. So, then who is certifying it is an Indian origin only? Why because no in the presentation it is shown that no assembled product is not treated as Indian product, right?

[01:12:20]Yes, sir.

[01:12:22]Assembled products are that they there is to get a SEPA benefit. SEPA's very clear that it is between India and Oman.

[01:12:30]So, if it's an Indian product and if it's invoiced at the time of importing together, then you get the benefit. Am I answering it correctly? No, no, no. My question is that who is certifying that it is an a fully an Indian product? Is it like that?

[01:12:47]You certifying the rule the origin of the product. Divya, that is your question, right? No, who who?

[01:12:54]It is See, this rules of origin have been defined.

[01:12:59]Yes, exactly, sir. Rules of origin have already been defined in goods where how which are the goods which are certified. And there's a harmonized system for that. There's chapter 1 to 97, I'm again saying. And when I just push this chapter 1 to 97, it was a 1,259 document and it's got a clarity on every single product as to what it is today, what it was before CEPA, and that clarity is there.

[01:13:26]And regarding the origin also is defined. Okay. How it can be determined.

[01:13:30]>> Okay.

[01:13:32]Yes, sir.

[01:13:33]My name is Ajit. Yes. I'm sorry.

[01:13:36]My name is Ajit from Willing Shipping.

[01:13:39]Yes.

[01:13:40]If from India to Oman, normally it takes 3 to 5 days.

[01:13:45]Yes. If it goes through the bank, no, it will take 7 days.

[01:13:48]So, when you do through CEPA, there is very seal or any documentation, no, where part where CEPA is this is through CEPA.

[01:13:57]So that here instruction will not be there and you can pass the document correctly.

[01:14:03]Because when the import has been done from India, the ships take 3 to 5 days. If it is via Dubai, it takes 5 days. If it is direct, 3 days.

[01:14:12]So, the documents coming through the bank, it is take more than 5 to 7 days.

[01:14:16]So, if it is CEPA, and we can apply immediately, so there is any letter where CEPA this is through CEPA, you can apply here like that anything Indian government is giving or from the chamber? I'm sure there is. Uh yeah, I I can get back to you on that because I've gone through that. Oh. Because CEPA is actually streamlining the industry and all the uh these kind of documentations. In clearing and forwarding, there is a clear chapter which mentions about that.

[01:14:46]We can get back to you on this.

[01:14:47]>> Thank you.

[01:14:49]Yes. This is Suresh. I am from the tiles industry. I think thank you very much for the presentation. I don't want to repeat what the gentleman has already said. And also your colleague was mentioning about the anti-dumping countervailing on tiles tariffs. So she mentioned that it is uh it will be applied for a period of time.

[01:15:09]Is there any time frame that has been defined in the CEPA or is it open-ended or how is it being addressed?

[01:15:16]There is a time frame in CEPA. I cannot recall it right now, but I can always get back to it. There is I guess it is a 270-day period after which they cannot be extended for the same product. In CEPA, there is a chapter on anti-dumping measures on CEPA itself because the two nations have carefully studied and has realized that when it comes to reduction in tariff, there would obviously some domestic industry be suffering with serious injury. So after identifying that, there would be a certain period which is already defined under the chapter.

[01:15:50]Does that answer your question?

[01:15:52]>> Yeah. Just just to just to add on to that. See, there are certain anti-dumping duties which has been imposed by the GCC Council. Okay, which means all the GCC countries are imposing anti-dumping. Okay, on such instances or how is that being addressed because that is going to be for a period of time which is already decided by the GCC Council as such.

[01:16:12]So will that be to the period of the GCC Council's decision or is there going to be any different understanding between the between Oman and India under CEPA?

[01:16:24]Very good question. Well, this is something that the two countries have to decide between each other. It's also one of the things upon legal interpretation because what we have in CEPA is a bilateral free trade agreement only between Oman and India. So will it overlap with the other GCC anti-dumping measures is something for the two nations to decide.

[01:16:45]Policy decision.

[01:16:48]Thank you.

[01:16:56]Hi, good evening. Yes. I'm not sure from PGS Group. Yes, sir. Uh actually, currently the shipments are coming from India.

[01:17:05]The certificate of origin issued by the the respective state chamber of commerce. Yes. So, in the SAFA, the certificate of issue of origin is issued by the special authority or the same chamber of commerce?

[01:17:21]To get the duty-free facility in Oman.

[01:17:25]It is Shweta, can you answer that?

[01:17:30]You answer.

[01:17:32]Okay.

[01:17:33]Uh my colleague who dealt with the chapter tells me it's the chamber of commerce itself.

[01:17:37]The same The same the same is Thank you.

[01:17:41]The duly facilitation body.

[01:17:48]If we're done with questions, I think we can leave the floor open for the ambassador to make the address.

[01:18:00]Yes, we're also expecting someone from the Ministry of Commerce to also join.

[01:18:07]Yes.

[01:18:10]Yeah.

[01:18:12]Good evening everyone. Is there anything anyone representing Ministry of Commerce India on the WebEx?

[01:18:19]Is there anyone?

[01:18:26]So, I think now we can ask the ambassador to talk about Uh Good evening, sir.

[01:18:36]Yeah, good good evening, Karan. Thank you very much for holding the charge there along with our senior colleague Pradeep Kumar for this very important uh India-Oman comprehensive economic partnership agreement related yet another road show.

[01:18:54]But there have been many positive novelties today, which I would like to comment on.

[01:19:00]But uh I'm just trying to see before that if I can just give me a second.

[01:19:08]Mhm.

[01:19:10]Just one second.

[01:19:13]Mhm.

[01:19:27]Okay, what I'm trying to do here is that the many questions were asked. I'm just trying to see whether I can post a sample of what is possible via the chat box. But be as it may let me come back. Sorry for this little attempt, but let me explain to you what I had in my mind.

[01:19:45]Uh first of good evening to everyone and to this very excellent presentation made by Sharon, Shweta, and Angelina.

[01:19:52]And I must really compliment them for having gone through these 1,250 pages long document of CEPA and articulating demystified demystifying the entire otherwise code-looking and tables to something which was much more kinder with illustrations and pictographic representations. So, congratulations to you on that count.

[01:20:20]And let me also say that even though I began thinking it'll be very simplistic presentation, but as the the presentations progressed, we could see that they really dug through the entire document and came out with something which is very very directly relevant brass tacks issues which are the ones with the trade bodies will require but all covered by them.

[01:20:43]The point which has already been mentioned in interestingly in the SEPA is about this US FDA EMA UK MHRA TGA related certifications would make Indian pharma also to be accepted in Oman. This is really a very important thing perhaps our share in the pharmaceutical market in Oman will go on the back of this.

[01:21:08]The rules of origin explanation which I understood is that 10% is the maximum tolerance that they have to some foreign components but I thought that was very harsh kind of rules of origin under SEPA but I'm not commenting it because I do not have the access to the ROO or the analysis of it but if 10% is acceptable committee I generally I have been hearing elsewhere 30% is what they allow the foreign component so long as it is but the rules of origin also change so we'll have to go through the document to find out exactly what is the rules of origin for the various product lines.

[01:21:41]The regarding the visa fee etc. whether there will be some kind of facilitation for the visa whether the shipping lines being faster than the banking channels any kind of trade facilitation coming up as part of SEPA all these questions need to be answers to these questions need to be found by going through the document. The document as of now which we have the official one of course is a PDF one which I find to be very difficult to go through. I'm with the Ministry of Commerce asking them to help us out by sending us the softest version of it. I do have one softest version from the premier body in India what we call a center for trade and investment law which itself is um what a body within Indian Institute of Foreign Trade itself in the Ministry of Commerce, but yet I don't want to unnecessarily upload something which is not authenticated by our Ministry of Commerce. Once that happens, you'll be able to go through it. But the series of presentations which were held in the past, we have uploaded all of them and if Sharan and his team also permit today their PowerPoint presentations, we'll also upload on our portal and with the power of technology we are trying to bring the nuggets of wisdom, whatever we understood from the various presentations, to the reaches of everyone. An example of that I will tell you. As I was listening to the questions, I was querying our RAG portal. Incidentally, the RAG portal RAG is retrieval augmented generation, something like chatbot, but but not like hallucinated with the general information, but whatever has come to the notice of embassy through presentations, etc. That is the information base against which the answers are pulled out.

[01:23:27]But we do add that caveat that given that it's an AI kind of answer, so double-check or get it vetted before you act on them. So with that kind of caveat, when I ask those questions, you'll see that great answers come out.

[01:23:42]I mean, I can't guarantee that they're all the correct answer, but at least it will make you wiser. It will guide you to the real document and try to find out um the real information which you're requiring. So I'm just like this any support for visa or work permit under CEPA. The answer which I get through this technology, based on the information which we got or the representations made by the various experts in the past, it says that yes, CEPA includes significant provisions for supporting visa and work permit purposes. But of course, you have to understand what it basically means. Uh like enhanced mobility provisions for professionals. Contractual service suppliers can stay up to four years.

[01:24:23]Business visitors up to 90 days.

[01:24:25]Independent professionals up to 180 days. Increased intra-corporate transfer ceiling also has been enhanced.

[01:24:33]First ever professional category commitment. Support for Indian businesses in Oman. So, answers of this nature come then to the questions of fresh fruits and vegetables, what kind of tariff structure? It gives a whole detail. A 5% having been brought down to 0% generally what was already mentioned by Angelina, I think and also by Shweta.

[01:24:53]Um it says that examples of fresh fruits like cherries, apricots, prunes, apples, tamarind, pears, mixtures of nuts and dried fruits peeled uh citrus fruits, all of them go to 0% tariff duty.

[01:25:05]People similarly the huge list is there.

[01:25:08]Overall concessions. Am I audible or something is coming? One second.

[01:25:14]Okay. I'm also happy that someone from the Ministry of Commerce has joined. I don't know how much of the questions they will have heard. Ministry of Commerce, if you heard the questions, maybe you'll be able to answer, otherwise I don't know but anyway, you will give the we'll give the floor to you and then to make some comments from your side. But continuing on uh the other question was the rules of origin and who issues the certificate. I think this is the part of the process and which we are undertaking on the two sides, both Oman and India, which is why we are yet to get to the date of entry into force of the entire CEPA. Ambition being on the two sides first of June. So, one of those elements besides the customs and the procedures and documentation would be also identifying who is the authority. What I understand from this is that both sides will identify the issuing authority. India will it's and then the Oman will do its own.

[01:26:05]So, maybe Chamber of Commerce, somebody will be given typically one FS Chamber of Commerce is given I think the certificate of origin issuing authority.

[01:26:13]But we'll get to know that it is not there beyond that. but it does say that SEPA will have this uh certificate issued by an authority identified by the two sides, but which authority is not mentioned here.

[01:26:28]But, that will come I think a little later. The question of trade facilitation uh given that banks take more time than the shipping lines to deliver the products, etc. Technically cover this discrepancy, but as a I mean, again, as I said to you, this is more based on the trade uh sorry, the technologically uh powered portal pulling out the information. I have not gone through the entire SEPA document. Ministry of Commerce may be able to answer that, or you yourself can dig through the document once it is made available. The PDF version is already available on our portal and also on the portal of Ministry of Commerce, which is also available. You can go through and find out. But, meanwhile, in one quick few seconds, the answer which I get is that SEPA does not cover this discrepancy of banks taking more time than the shipping lines to deliver the products, and how do you really handle that little bit of extra 2 3 days?

[01:27:19]But, they say that trade facilitation uh support includes single window systems, pre-arrival processing, advanced rulings, so an allusion to that was already made by I think Shweta and Angelina, authorized economic operator program, expedited clearance for perishables and air cargo, customs and indirect cooperation digital platforms.

[01:27:39]Then, anti-dumping of GCC versus SEPA.

[01:27:43]So, here again, uh it gives some kind of answer. GCC's ruling on anti-dumping is known to us.

[01:27:48]And SEPA's stands on trade remedies is also there. Rights and obligations on WTO agreements, definitions, lesser duty rule, transparency. The huge technical uh output of here. But, the anxiety of SEPA is that SEPA should not become uh I mean, of course, this anti-dumping is known that when they start selling below their actual cost of production and flooding the market and the country gets paid they impose these duties. I don't know how SEPA will be handling it.

[01:28:20]But be as it may, now through Karan and otherwise, let's give the floor to the Ministry of Commerce. Who is there from the Ministry of Commerce?

[01:28:26]Who has joined here?

[01:28:28]Can you speak, please?

[01:28:29]Mr. Vikas Kumar.

[01:28:32]Uh, Vikas Kumar, what is Vikas Kumar, Karan? What is he in there in the Ministry?

[01:28:38]He's in Department of Commerce.

[01:28:39]>> he's writing here.

[01:28:40]No, he's writing here. I am Vikas Kumar from the Department of Commerce and I have been directed to participate.

[01:28:45]Well, he has not given the designation.

[01:28:46]Because he has designation of car.

[01:28:49]I'll meet you but I hear.

[01:28:52]Young professional. So, young professional, can you answer any of the questions which people ask?

[01:28:58]Vikas?

[01:28:59]He's not [clears throat] even unmuting.

[01:29:01]So, I guess we have come to the end of this session. He is not able to answer.

[01:29:04]He's too young. See, he says he's not able to unmute. Kaise chalega, Vikas?

[01:29:08]You are representing Ministry of Commerce, you can't unmute yourself.

[01:29:11]Everybody else is doing it here.

[01:29:13]Mhm? Galat hai na?

[01:29:15]Chaliye. Koi baat nahi, aapne sun liya, jawab de dijiyega baad mein. We did have a representative, but I think he has technical difficulty to unmute and he's too young a professional to be perhaps responding, I believe.

[01:29:24]And therefore, we have to uh refer these queries separately or directly dig through the entire documentation. With that, we we end from here and we get back to you.

[01:29:35]Uh, Karan to I think conclude or something like that. Thank you once again. Compliments to you, the present a very good dynamic presence there I see in the hall. It has become a hybrid mode. I'm glad that this session will reach many people and your pictographic presentations which you really uh presented very, very cheerful to be very frank to my mind. Trade which is otherwise a very has suddenly been demystified into the nature of putting some kind of pictographic presentations and also you had added the seriousness to the entire presentation. All in all, a great job done by you. Congratulations. Allow us to use your power points to add to our portal and your details also. Anything else we'll also add to the portal. Thank you very much.

[01:30:16]Bye-bye from my side. Back to you.

[01:30:19]Do you mind?

[01:30:21]I think so.

[01:30:22]Maybe he can be invited for the including remarks. I'd like to invite Pradeep Kumar sir. Please have a few words.

[01:30:41]I just wish to thank you all the participants who have come here today.

[01:30:47]Uh particularly MTS legal team which has come all the way from India.

[01:30:54]And demystified various provisions of CEPA.

[01:31:00]In the days to come when we are going to this CEPA is going to be implemented in the days to come.

[01:31:06]Uh as we go along, many more mysteries will uh will be solved and uh we hope uh in fact uh we are confident that very soon CEPA is going to uh help us uh in increasing the trade between our two countries manifold.

[01:31:28]Uh once again, I on behalf of Indian Embassy, I wish to thank you all who have come here today. Thank you.

[01:31:44]Thank you, sir.

[01:31:48]Um Hello. Hello.

[01:31:50]Hi.