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The twenty imports Oman is best placed to replace.

Oman imported USD 18bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 10bn. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well and where one country supplies most of them.

USD 2.6bnthe twenty, imported in 2024
134products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
146products Oman already exports well
304product lines imported at USD 10m or more
The twenty

Demand, capability, exposure. Nothing else is claimed.

Each line shows the import bill, where it comes from, the nearest thing Oman already exports well, and how many countries make it. It does not say whether a plant in Oman would pay. That reason is not in any trade record, and it is the maker's question.

This edition is trade and capability only, scored out of 8. The UK edition adds which public bodies buy each product and which region holds the capability; those layers are built only where a country publishes contract awards and regional trade, and Oman does not publish them in a form this record can read yet.

  1. 1

    Aeroplanes and other aircraft, except unmanned: of an unladen weight exceeding 15,000kgHS 880240

    Comes fromIndia 71%, 4 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 201m
    Countries that export it well20

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 230m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Oman's export strengths in the top 16 per cent (2); India supplies 71 per cent (2).

    USD 230mup 203% on 2022
  2. 2

    Cosmetic and toilet preparations: n.e.c. in heading no. 3304, for the care of the skin (excluding medicaments...HS 330499

    Comes fromIndia 83%, 53 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 373k
    Countries that export it well30

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 153m, top 5 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Oman's export strengths in the top 24 per cent (2); India supplies 83 per cent (2).

    USD 153mup 100% on 2022
  3. 3

    Vessels: other, including lifeboats other than rowing boats, other than warshipsHS 890690

    Comes fromIndia 92%, 5 source countries
    Nearest export strengthVessels and other floating structures: for breaking up (exports USD 3m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 2m
    Countries that export it well20

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 65m, top 14 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Oman's export strengths in the top 7 per cent (3); India supplies 92 per cent (2).

    USD 65mdown 25% on 2022
  4. 4

    Juices: mixtures of fruits or vegetables (but not nut juice), unfermented, not containing added spirit, whether or not...HS 200990

    Comes fromSaudi Arabia 94%, 22 source countries
    Nearest export strengthJams, jellies, marmalades, purees and pastes: of citrus fruit, being... (exports USD 2m)
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well40

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 47m, top 21 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Oman's export strengths in the top 5 per cent (3); Saudi Arabia supplies 94 per cent (2).

    USD 47mup 148% on 2022
  5. 5

    Aluminium oxide: other than artificial corundumHS 281820

    Comes fromAustralia 53%, 11 source countries
    Nearest export strengthAmmonia: anhydrous (exports USD 560m)
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well10

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 671m, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Oman's export strengths in the top 22 per cent (2); Australia supplies 53 per cent (1).

    USD 671mup 19% on 2022
  6. 6

    Iron or steel (excluding cast iron or stainless steel): seamless, casing and tubing, of a kind used in drilling for...HS 730429

    Comes fromChina 78%, 9 source countries
    Nearest export strengthIron or non-alloy steel (excluding cast iron): tubes and pipes (not... (exports USD 78m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 23k; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 188m
    Countries that export it well18

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 349m, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Oman's export strengths in the top 27 per cent (1); China supplies 78 per cent (2).

    USD 349mdown 8% on 2022
  7. 7

    Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine, for transport of goods, (of a g.v.w. not...HS 870431

    Comes fromJapan 47%, 15 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this linenone recorded; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 225m
    Countries that export it well7

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 133m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Oman's export strengths in the top 18 per cent (2); Japan supplies 47 per cent (1).

    USD 133mdown 54% on 2022
  8. 8

    Vehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), cylinder capacity...HS 870333

    Comes fromJapan 73%, 9 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 12k; 9 more lines in the heading, USD 2.0bn
    Countries that export it well16

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 90m, top 9 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Oman's export strengths in the top 48 per cent (1); Japan supplies 73 per cent (2).

    USD 90mdown 31% on 2022
  9. 9

    Iron or steel: structures and parts thereof, n.e.c. in heading 7308HS 730890

    Comes fromChina 80%, 30 source countries
    Nearest export strengthIron or non-alloy steel (excluding cast iron): tubes and pipes (not... (exports USD 78m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 11m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 49m
    Countries that export it well33

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 75m, top 12 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Oman's export strengths in the top 14 per cent (2); China supplies 80 per cent (2).

    USD 75mdown 30% on 2022
  10. 10

    Washing and cleaning preparations: powders, flakes and granules, surface-active, whether or not containing soap...HS 340250

    Comes fromSaudi Arabia 74%, 29 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPlastics: of polymers of propylene, plates, sheets, film, foil and...
    Exports of this lineUSD 22m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 11m
    Countries that export it well39

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 53m, top 19 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Oman's export strengths in the top 12 per cent (2); Saudi Arabia supplies 74 per cent (2).

    USD 53mdown 53% on 2022
  11. 11

    Waters: including mineral and aerated, containing added sugar or other sweetening matter or flavouredHS 220210

    Comes fromSaudi Arabia 85%, 32 source countries
    Nearest export strengthSauces: tomato ketchup and other tomato sauces
    Exports of this lineUSD 3m
    Countries that export it well60

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 43m, top 23 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Oman's export strengths in the top 10 per cent (2); Saudi Arabia supplies 85 per cent (2).

    USD 43mup 50% on 2022
  12. 12

    Vegetable preparations: tomatoes, (other than whole or in pieces), prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or...HS 200290

    Comes fromChina 68%, 11 source countries
    Nearest export strengthJams, jellies, marmalades, purees and pastes: of citrus fruit, being... (exports USD 2m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 9m
    Countries that export it well24

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 42m, top 24 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Oman's export strengths in the top 13 per cent (2); China supplies 68 per cent (2).

    USD 42mup 1% on 2022
  13. 13

    Tugs and pusher craftHS 890400

    Comes fromSaudi Arabia 74%, 2 source countries
    Nearest export strengthVessels and other floating structures: for breaking up (exports USD 3m)
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well22

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 30m, top 38 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Oman's export strengths in the top 5 per cent (3); Saudi Arabia supplies 74 per cent (2).

    USD 30mdown 47% on 2022
  14. 14

    Medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses...HS 300490

    Comes fromIndia 20%, 54 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPaints and varnishes: based on polyesters, dispersed or dissolved in...
    Exports of this lineUSD 68m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 28m
    Countries that export it well32

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 209m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Oman's export strengths in the top 21 per cent (2).

    USD 209mdown 29% on 2022
  15. 15

    TankersHS 890120

    Comes fromTurkey 56%, 3 source countries
    Nearest export strengthVessels and other floating structures: for breaking up (exports USD 3m)
    Exports of this linenone recorded; 1 more line in the heading, USD 57m
    Countries that export it well20

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 118m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Oman's export strengths in the top 25 per cent (1); Turkey supplies 56 per cent (1).

    USD 118mup 133% on 2022
  16. 16

    Iron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, painted, varnished or coated with plasticsHS 721070

    Comes fromChina 100%, 5 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFerrous products: obtained by direct reduction of iron ore, in... (exports USD 791m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 200k; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 48m
    Countries that export it well25

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 68m, top 13 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Oman's export strengths in the top 37 per cent (1); China supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 68mup 179% on 2022
  17. 17

    Food preparations: of flour, meal, starch, malt extract or milk products, for uses n.e.c. in heading no. 1901HS 190190

    Comes fromGermany 34%, 23 source countries
    Nearest export strengthSauces and preparations therefor: mixed condiments and mixed...
    Exports of this lineUSD 4m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 14m
    Countries that export it well39

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 64m, top 15 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Oman's export strengths in the top 7 per cent (3).

    USD 64mup 144% on 2022
  18. 18

    Boards, panels, consoles, desks and other bases: for electric control or the distribution of electricity, (other than...HS 853720

    Comes fromChina 65%, 21 source countries
    Nearest export strengthInsulated electric conductors: for a voltage exceeding 1000 volts (exports USD 126m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 174k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 89m
    Countries that export it well20

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 62m, top 15 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Oman's export strengths in the top 37 per cent (1); China supplies 65 per cent (2).

    USD 62mup 21% on 2022
  19. 19

    Food preparations: bakers' wares n.e.c. in heading no. 1605, whether or not containing cocoa: communion wafers, empty...HS 190590

    Comes fromSaudi Arabia 59%, 34 source countries
    Nearest export strengthSauces and preparations therefor: mixed condiments and mixed...
    Exports of this lineUSD 57m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 40m
    Countries that export it well47

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 59m, top 16 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Oman's export strengths in the top 17 per cent (2); Saudi Arabia supplies 59 per cent (1).

    USD 59mdown 52% on 2022
  20. 20

    Ceramic tiles: flags and paving, hearth or wall tiles other than those of subheadings 6907.30 and 6907.40, of a water...HS 690721

    Comes fromIndia 75%, 13 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCeramic tiles: flags and paving, hearth or wall tiles other than... (exports USD 8m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 1m
    Countries that export it well16

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 55m, top 18 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Oman's export strengths in the top 27 per cent (1); India supplies 75 per cent (2).

    USD 55mup 4% on 2022

One line per customs heading. Products Oman already exports well and still imports are below, because they are a different conversation. No employment figures appear on this page, by decision.

Made here already, still imported

Scale conversations, not capability ones.

  • Aluminium: (not alloyed), bars, rods and profiles imports USD 23m, exports USD 10m, top source Saudi Arabia 97%
  • Boring or sinking machinery: parts for boring or sinking machinery of... imports USD 113m, exports USD 107m, top source China 32%
  • Reservoirs, tanks, vats and similar containers: for any material (excluding... imports USD 22m, exports USD 16m, top source China 65%
  • Poly(ethylene terephthalate): in primary forms, having a viscosity of less... imports USD 26m, exports USD 21m, top source India 54%
  • Ceramic tiles: flags and paving, hearth or wall tiles other than those of... imports USD 13m, exports USD 8m, top source India 90%
How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 304 lines imported at USD 10m or more: above the median one point, top quarter two, top tenth three.

Proximity to export strengths, 0 to 3, on the same percentiles: the product-space method (Hidalgo, Klinger, Barabasi and Hausmann, Science 2007) on CEPII's BACI file of every bilateral trade flow for 2024, 157 countries and 5,388 products. Two products are close when the countries that export one well tend to export the other well. Only products in the upper half for proximity can enter the list at all: best placed is a proximity claim.

Supply concentration, 0 to 2: one point when a single country supplies 40 per cent or more, two at 60 per cent.

Scope. Manufactured goods, customs chapters 16 to 96, excluding ores, fuels and precious metals. Primary agriculture is out of scope for a page about manufacture.

What it cannot tell you

A map of where to look.

Trade data says what crossed the border, not why. Cost, scale, patents, tariffs and the plain fact that a supplier is good at it are all invisible here. The world file reconciles what each pair of countries reports, so a national customs file would differ in detail. Nothing on this page is a forecast or a promise.

Source: CEPII BACI, HS22, version 202601, years 2022 to 2024. Edition of 2026-11-02. The UK edition with its procurement and regional layers is at /made-here/.

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