Latest news with #NasrabintSultanalHabsi
Observer
24-05-2025
- Business
- Observer
Oman imposes anti-dumping duties on tile imports from China, India
MUSCAT: Starting May 29, Oman will begin applying anti-dumping duties on ceramic and porcelain tile imports from China and India at all customs ports. The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion announced the move as part of the GCC Unified Law on Anti-Dumping, Countervailing, and Safeguard Measures. Nasra bint Sultan al Habsi, Director General of Commerce and GCC committee member, said the decision follows complaints from Gulf tile manufacturers about unfairly priced imports flooding local markets. A year-long investigation, led by the GCC's technical office, reviewed the claims and concluded that dumping practices were harming local industry. Based on its findings, the GCC Permanent Committee approved the duties for a period of five years. Ahmed bin Salem al Rasbi, Director General of the Competition and Anti-Monopoly Center, described the measure as a strategic move to protect the competitiveness of national industries. He noted that dumping distorts prices and undermines local manufacturers, while the new duties will promote fair trade, enhance product quality, expand local production, and generate jobs. 'This step ensures price stability and protects consumers in the long run by encouraging local investments and guarding against monopolistic practices,' he added. Khalid bin Issa l Ameri, head of Consumer Services and Market Control at the Consumer Protection Authority, said the Authority is actively monitoring the implementation of the duties. Inspections of tile retailers are being intensified to ensure price compliance and detect any irregularities. He warned that legal action will be taken against violators and urged suppliers to follow the law. Consumers are encouraged to report any misconduct related to tile pricing or sales. — ONA
24-05-2025
- Business
Oman's action on hidden trade enters new phase
Muscat – The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion (MoCIIP) is intensifying efforts to combat hidden trade practices as part of a broader strategy to improve Oman's business climate and attract long-term investment. MoCIIP announced it will soon launch nationwide awareness campaigns targeting these practices, following a meeting of the National Team to Combat Hidden Trade held on Thursday. The team, established under a ministerial decision (No 412/2023), reviewed progress from the first phase of a commercial registration audit. Officials said the audit uncovered several violations, particularly by entities operating in sectors previously restricted to foreign investors. 'The results reflect a clear commitment to addressing these illegal practices that negatively impact the business environment in the sultanate,' the ministry said in a statement. Hidden trade typically involves foreign individuals or entities operating businesses through local intermediaries without proper licensing or legal oversight. Nasra bint Sultan al Habsi Nasra bint Sultan al Habsi, Director General of Commerce and head of the national team, said the success of the first phase demonstrated the importance of joint efforts between government and private entities. 'The second phase focuses on developing oversight methodologies and expanding the scope of auditing to include the largest number of governorates, while involving all relevant sectors in these national efforts,' she said. She added that the next phase will also include awareness campaigns to inform the public and business community about the risks posed by hidden trade, including its negative impact on competitiveness and investor confidence. MoCIIP's plan includes stricter enforcement of the Foreign Capital Investment Law, outlining conditions, licensing requirements, and procedures for foreign entities to legally operate in Oman. The national team includes representatives from the Ministry of Labour, the Government Communication Centre at the Ministry of Information, the Tax Authority, the Central Bank of Oman, the Royal Oman Police, the Public Authority for Consumer Protection, and the Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises Development. The ministry said the goal is to create a fair and competitive commercial environment that protects consumer rights and supports both local and foreign investors.
24-05-2025
- Business
Oman imposes anti-dumping duties on ceramic tiles from China and India
Muscat – Oman's Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion (MOCIIP) has announced that anti-dumping duties will be enforced at all customs ports across the sultanate on imports of ceramic and porcelain tiles originating in, or exported from, China and India, effective from May 29. The decision falls within the framework of the Unified Law on Anti-Dumping, Countervailing and Safeguard Measures of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Nasra bint Sultan al Habsi, Director General of Commerce at MOCIIP and a member of the GCC's Permanent Committee for Combating Harmful Practices in International Trade, explained that the decision follows complaints from the Gulf's ceramic and porcelain tile industry regarding alleged dumping of such products from China and India into GCC markets. In a statement to Oman News Agency, she stated that the GCC General Secretariat, through its designated technical office, initiated a comprehensive investigation into the complaint, involving all relevant parties. 'The investigation and its associated procedures continued for over 12 months, from the announcement of its commencement to the communication with competent authorities for implementation. The investigation findings and technical reports were submitted to the Permanent Committee and the Industrial Cooperation Committee, which issued the final decision to impose anti-dumping duties for a period of five years.' Ahmed bin Salem al Rasbi, Director General of the Competition and Anti-Monopoly Centre at MOCIIP, said that the decision by the GCC's Permanent Committee, based on the Unified Gulf Law, represents a strategic step towards fostering a fair and competitive trading environment across GCC markets, and ensuring the protection of national industries from injurious dumping practices. He emphasised that imposing anti-dumping duties on ceramic and porcelain tile imports from China and India is essential to protecting the local market from price distortions caused by products entering at unfair prices that do not reflect true production costs. He noted that the decision would enhance the competitiveness of local manufacturers, improve product quality, and expand production capacity, thereby positively impacting industrial performance and employment, while contributing to a balanced pricing structure between domestic and imported goods. He added that these measures also offer long-term benefits to consumers by encouraging local investment and mitigating the risk of monopolies that could arise from the decline of domestic industries. The decision, he said, represents an integrated approach to protecting both the market and the consumer. Khalid bin Issa al Amri, Director General of the Directorate General of Consumer Services and Market Control at the Public Authority for Consumer Protection, confirmed that the Authority is actively monitoring the implementation of the anti-dumping duties on ceramic and porcelain tile imports from China and India. He said the Authority is operating under a clear plan to track and survey the prices of imported tiles from the two countries and has intensified periodic inspection campaigns at stores specialising in these products, to ensure price stability in local markets. He stressed that the Authority will not hesitate to take legal action against violators and will address any infringements in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. He also urged suppliers to comply with all relevant legislation and called on consumers to report any improper commercial practices.
Zawya
05-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Over 400 firms penalised in Oman for hidden trade
Muscat - The National Team for Combating Illicit Trade (NTT) has conducted audits of 581 commercial companies in three main governorates: Muscat, Dhofar, and North Al Batinah as part of the ongoing efforts to combat hidden trade and enhance the business environment. These efforts resulted in the issuance of administrative penalties to 410 violating establishments. Meanwhile, 77 companies complied with the audit requirements by submitting the necessary documents, such as bank statements and lease contracts, bringing the response rate to 13.2 percent. These governorates were selected based on the high density of commercial records. Muscat Governorate has 20,244, North Al Batinah 16,094, and Dhofar 16,094. Nasra bint Sultan al Habsi, Director General of Commerce at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion (MOCIIP) Nasra bint Sultan al Habsi, Director General of Commerce at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion (MOCIIP) and Head of the National Taskforce for Illicit Trade, confirmed that the campaign aims to combat hidden trade and promote economic integrity by combating the misuse of licenses and various professions, in addition to raising confidence in the economic system and increasing tax revenues. She explained that the number of activities subject to monitoring reached 106, including those prohibited to foreign investment (except 20 activities), in addition to some service activities such as dental clinics and pharmacies, provided that the company has been established for five years. Activities exempted from the ban include sectors such as tailoring, vehicle repair, hairdressing, laundry, flower sales, and pet care services. The Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion (MOCIIP) has urged all institutions and commercial companies to open a bank account in one of the licensed banks in the Sultanate of Oman. This is mandatory as per the Commercial Companies Law issued by Royal Decree 18/2019 and its executive regulations issued by Ministerial Decision 146/2021 and Ministerial Decision 412/2023 regarding combating hidden trade. The Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCII) also stresses the need for all commercial institutions and companies to commit to opening a bank account in one of the banks licensed to operate in the Sultanate, as per the provisions of the Commercial Companies Law and ministerial decisions to combat hidden trade 2022 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
03-05-2025
- Business
Oman penalises 410 firms in crackdown on hidden trade
Muscat – The National Team to Combat Hidden Trade has conducted audits in 581 commercial companies in the governorates of Muscat, Dhofar and North Batinah, resulting in administrative penalties on 410 establishments found in violation of trade regulations. The inspections were part of an ongoing government campaign to tackle illegal commercial practices and strengthen the business environment in the sultanate. According to the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion (MoCIIP), 77 companies complied with audit requirements by submitting supporting documents, including bank statements and lease contracts. The overall response rate stood at 13.2%. The three governorates were selected due to their high volume of commercial records – 20,244 in Muscat, 16,094 in North Batinah and 10,290 in Dhofar. Nasra bint Sultan al Habsi Nasra bint Sultan al Habsi, Director General of Commerce at MoCIIP and Head of the National Team, said the campaign is focused on combating unauthorised trade activities and enhancing economic integrity. 'Our goal is to address the misuse of licences and professions, raise confidence in the economic system, and boost tax revenues,' she said. She noted that 106 types of commercial activities are subject to supervision, including those prohibited for foreign investment, with the exception of 20 specific activities. The campaign is being implemented in line with Ministerial Decision No 412/2023. Hidden trade is defined as any commercial activity conducted without proper authorisation under Omani law, whether by individuals or in partnership. The effort involves coordination with several entities, including the Royal Oman Police, Ministry of Labour, Consumer Protection Authority, Central Bank of Oman, Tax Authority, and the Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises Development. 'Hidden trade distorts the labour market, increases commercial fraud, creates unfair competition for entrepreneurs, and results in tax evasion,' Nasra said. She added that the national team carries out field visits, reviews complaints, evaluates company compliance, and issues recommendations based on ongoing oversight. The team also receives performance reports from its technical wing and suggests new sectors that require regulation.
