Muscat: Sohar Port and Freezone hosted the fifth and final webinar in its series with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) and the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), called ‘Trade and Logistics Solutions via Sohar Port and Freezone to Maximise Your Market Reach’.
The series, which commenced in 2021, has covered a range of topics including metals, food, and logistics highlighting the potential avenues for further bi-lateral trade between Oman and India. Sohar Port and Freezone offers a number of strategic advantages for Indian businesses, including strong logistics connections, promotions in trade licenses, and flexible warehousing solutions, as proven by the many Indian companies who have already achieved success at Sohar.
The webinar featured presentations from Robert Bartstra, Executive Commercial Manager at Sohar Port and Freezone, Mohammed Al Kindi, Commercial Officer at Sohar Port and Freezone, and Rajesh Vaidyanathan Iyer, General Manager at Khimji Ramdas Shipping. There was also a panel discussion on Indian Exports in Sohar with speakers from Lalan Middle East, Matrix Prime Logistics, Radiant Freight and Logistics and DHL Global Forwarding, all based at Sohar.
“Providing a thriving gateway to new markets, as well as the best in terms of services, infrastructure and connections, Sohar is the ultimate link in the supply chain. We have a multi-purpose port operated by world-renowned companies, which is connected to the Freezone via a bonded corridor, and we offer direct shipping lines to India as well as access to the GCC, including a new road to Saudi Arabia. Plus, with Oman’s ports ranked the fastest in the world for container handling according to the UNCTAD index, it presents extremely competitive customs processes. These webinars address all of this, increasing visibility in the Indian market and highlighting the many opportunities that are presented for companies,” said Omar Al Mahrizi, Sohar Freezone Chief Executive Officer.
Al Mahrizi added, “Sohar Port and Freezone offers an advantageous base for logistics operators with an impressive 65,000,000m² of land set aside for trade and logistics, manufacturing, as well as distribution. With direct shipping lines to India and six services per week, our strategic location makes it the perfect place to start warehousing and logistics operations for a wide range of products and commodities, either for transit through Oman, or for distribution into the region. Plus, with no corporate taxes/VAT, import/export tax-free means that overall operating costs are up to 50% less than elsewhere in the region, posing significant economic as well as strategic advantages.”
Sohar Port and Freezone is at the centre of a 2.2 billion people consumer base with the growing surrounding markets in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Whether by sea, land, or air Sohar can connect Indian businesses to the world through its strategic location on the map, direct connections with India, and access to global markets.
Additionally, the Oman/USA Free Trade Agreement provides duty-free access to the US market for qualifying Omani goods – an unrivalled benefit of producing or adding value to Indian products in Sohar. Global industry leaders such as Jindal Steel & Power Ltd, Vale and Al Tamman Indsil are among those who have chosen to utilise the value propositions of Sohar Port and Freezone.
