NEW DELHI : Speaking at the FICCI LEADS 2025 Forum in New Delhi, His Excellency Pankaj Khimji, Adviser for Foreign Trade and International Cooperation at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, underscored the importance of addressing non-tariff barriers (NTBs) in today’s global trade environment.

“Tariffs, duties and excise are not the real barriers. Non-tariff barriers are the real barriers that deal with standards, specifications, exemptions. We need to be as mindful of those NTBs as we are of tariff barriers,” Khimji said, highlighting a persistent challenge that continues to shape trade negotiations and international market access.

The remarks came during Oman’s active participation in the FICCI LEADS 2025 Forum, hosted by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). The global platform brought together decision-makers, policymakers, and industry leaders to deliberate on key issues ranging from international trade and innovation to the green economy and artificial intelligence.

Oman’s presence at the forum reinforces its growing diplomatic and economic engagement on the global stage. It also reflects the Sultanate’s drive to deepen partnerships with international stakeholders, opening new avenues of collaboration in investment and trade. The participation further showcased Oman’s economic diversification agenda under Oman Vision 2040, positioning the country as an attractive destination for sustainable investment and innovation-driven growth.

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