Oman Goods Trade Surplus Rises 2.3% In 2012

Oman’s merchandise trade surplus rose 2.3 per cent to OMR9.24 billion ($24 billion) last year, boosted by strong energy exports, according to data released by the government’s statistics centre on Tuesday.

Exports rose 10.7 per cent to OMR20.05 billion, aided by an 8.9 per cent increase in the value of oil and gas shipments to OMR13.97 billion.

Imports expanded 19 per cent to OMR10.81 billion, partly because of a 36.2 per cent jump to OMR2.56 billion in purchases of transport equipment. Flag carrier Oman Air added two aircraft to its fleet last year.