Oman Trade & Oil Watch: Oman’s merchandise trade surplus hit about OMR4.7bn by end-June 2026, up 51% year-on-year, with exports rising to about OMR13.2bn as oil and gas exports climbed to around OMR8.6bn; meanwhile Oman’s official crude price for November delivery jumped to $104.54/bbl on supply disruption fears as US-Iran shipping tensions keep the Strait of Hormuz in focus. Shipping & Hormuz Talks: Iran says negotiations with Oman on temporary safe routes are in the final stage and could be registered with the International Maritime Organization, even as Tehran signals it may announce new restricted/exclusion zones and tighter transit rules—moves that keep shipping risk elevated and oil prices near multi-week highs. Trade Facilitation: India’s DGFT introduced an API option for eligible exporters to apply for and verify certificates of origin directly through their business software via the Trade Connect e-Platform, aiming to cut repeat data entry and speed up processing. Industrial Push in Oman: Construction is underway at Al Suwaiq Industrial City, with new factories and investment projects in sectors like polyethylene, industrial oil refining, bitumen polymer modification and ceramic tiles, as the industrial city expands leased areas and investment pipelines. Business-Climate Angle: Oman marked International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, linking cleaner air to climate action and highlighting efforts to strengthen air quality monitoring and emissions regulation. Oman–China Zones: Oman and China discussed boosting economic and investment cooperation across special economic zones, free zones and industrial cities, including partnership opportunities with private-sector involvement.