Belarus’s Gulf Gambit: Oman Visit Targets Export Revival

In a high-stakes diplomatic and economic maneuver, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko recently hosted Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said of Oman, orchestrating a visit marked by opulent hospitality and the signing of crucial cooperation agreements. The two-day encounter, from October 6th to 7th, saw Lukashenko personally engaging with the Sultan, signaling Minsk’s profound interest in bolstering ties and, critically, addressing its worsening trade deficit.

Sultan Haitham received an exceptionally warm welcome, with President Lukashenko personally greeting him upon arrival and remaining a constant presence throughout his stay. Negotiations commenced immediately on the evening of his arrival at the presidential palace, culminating in a lavish state dinner late into the night. The following morning, discussions continued in a more informal setting at the presidential residence, where Lukashenko reportedly highlighted Belarus’s natural resources, contrasting them with Oman’s arid landscape.

This diplomatic marathon, as Lukashenko himself dubbed it, built upon prior commitments made in Muscat last December. The Belarusian leader emphasized the extensive preparatory work, including a comprehensive roadmap for cooperation across vital sectors such as food security, industrial development, tourism, transport, logistics, and investment. He expressed satisfaction with the progress made on initial joint projects, citing Belarusian ventures in Oman that contribute to food security not just for the Sultanate but for the entire Gulf region, while Omani investments in Belarusian timber processing aim to leverage Belarus’s natural wealth.

A clear strategic objective for Minsk emerged during the talks: to establish Oman as a pivotal ‘hub’ for promoting Belarusian products throughout the Persian Gulf and East Africa. Lukashenko revealed Omani interest in joint assembly plants and the sale of Belarusian machinery from manufacturers like MAZ and AMKODOR, urging for these ideas to transition into practical implementation. Both leaders underscored their commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation in a joint statement issued after their discussions.

Beyond the declarations, a suite of international agreements was signed, with Belarusian Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Karankevich highlighting the “roadmap for joint projects” as particularly significant. This document outlines active collaboration in agriculture, increased supply of food products and baby formula, and a boost in tourism, facilitated by a new intergovernmental agreement on mutual visa exemption. Plans for establishing reciprocal embassies in Muscat and Minsk further underscore the long-term vision for these relations. Karankevich stressed the urgency of dedicating “all efforts” to implementing this roadmap.

The urgency stems from Belarus’s pressing domestic economic challenges. While trade turnover with Oman saw a remarkable 2.2-fold increase in 2024, reaching $8.44 million – with Belarusian exports accounting for the lion’s share at $8.16 million, a 2.3-fold rise – these figures, though promising, remain modest in the grander economic scheme. Fresh statistics from Belstat, Belarus’s national statistical committee, reveal a concerning trend: the country’s overall foreign trade deficit continues to widen, reaching $3.8 billion between January and August, up from $3.6 billion a month prior. Exports declined by 2.4% during this period compared to the previous year, while imports rose by 2.2%.

President Lukashenko has repeatedly voiced his deep concern over this widening deficit, recently urging officials to actively seek out new markets for Belarusian goods. The high-profile visit of the Omani Sultan, concluding with a cordial breakfast and Lukashenko personally seeing off his guest, clearly represents a significant plank in Minsk’s strategy to diversify its economic partnerships and secure new avenues for its products, particularly across the lucrative markets of the Gulf and East Africa.