Month: June 2026

India-Gulf Trade: Investment, Ports, and CEPAs in 2026

Bilateral trade between India and the GCC reached USD 178.56 billion in 2024-25. This analysis covers sovereign investment flows, the RELIEF scheme for MSME exporters, Oman port diversification, CEPA terms by country, and what the incoming India-GCC Free Trade Agreement changes for corporate decision-makers.

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Cybersecurity Risk in the GCC: What Budget Cuts Actually Cost You

Cybersecurity risk for GCC firms is rising precisely as security budgets shrink. This analysis examines how rapid AI deployment, cross-border digital trade agreements, and the region’s fintech expansion have widened the attack surface for enterprises across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Bahrain — and what boards need to prioritise before the next breach.

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Omanization in a Downturn: How Oman Turned Nationalization Compliance Into a Financial Decision for Private Employers

In 2026, Omanization compliance is no longer an administrative target. Ministerial Decision 602/2025 has made a company’s national hiring ratio a direct variable in its work permit costs — discounting fees by 30 percent for compliant firms and doubling them for non-compliant ones. This article explains the full fee structure, the OMR 100 million fine waiver, and what both mean for foreign investors operating in Oman.

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