Export diversification's role in reducing environmental degradation, especially in oil-dependent countries, has been overlooked. This study investigated the effect of export diversification, along with energy consumption and economic growth as important control variables, on CO₂ emissions and ecological footprint in Oman from 1984 to 2014 by employing the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model. To ensure the stability of the model, robust long-run relationships estimators including Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS) and Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares (DOLS) were used. The results suggest that export diversification has a positive impact on Oman's environmental degradation. A positive effect of energy on both environmental indicators was found, with a lower effect on CO₂ emissions. Diversification of exports is strongly recommended in Oman by shifting to more energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, and high-tech industries.

Exports of fish products are very important for the Sultanate of Oman to diversify sources of income and achieve higher standards of living to fishermen. In the past government regulations and support were sufficient to reach markets such as the European Union and the United States. During the last decade, however, there has been more focus on the application of more stringent quality regulations according to international norms namely Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP). This paper investigates the perception and compliance of Oman fish companies to HACCP and consequences for corporate success and competitiveness. The paper provides and overview of international and national fish market regulations and the development of seafood regulations in Oman. It also develops an empirical framework to investigate empirically the relation between the adoption of international quality control procedures and success in export markets using an export penetration index. The paper findings show that up to 1998, Oman fish quality regulations differ in scope and objectives from HACCP. For instance, there is no requirement of plant-level quality management system equivalent to HACCP. Also, Oman regulations were based on regular inspections by government agents whereas HACCP is a system-based approach aiming at reducing repeated inspections. Empirical results support the hypothesis put forward; variables reflecting on the quality of fish products, that is, HACCP and sanitation were found to be positively correlated to the export index.

The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) is a regional association based on the principle of open regionalism to promote liberalization through trade and investment facilitation. This study compares two main scenarios with the ingredients of a deeper regional integration compared to the IORA's present open regionalism status. Scenario I evaluates the effects of gradual tariff cuts on IORA, while Scenario II combines the impact of tariff cuts, non-tariff measures (NTM) reduction, and trade facilitation. A recent recursive dynamic model, called Global Trade Analysis Project recursive dynamic model (GTAP-RD), was used to understand the adjustment path. The result shows welfare gain for all IORA countries when a trade liberalization involving tariff cuts is complemented with NTM reduction and trade facilitation. In addition, the "NTM spillover" effect on some non-IORA members (the rest of Gulf Cooperation Council, the rest of Greater Arab Free Trade Agreement, and the United Kingdom) was observed. The results suggest that IORA has more to gain if it involves a deeper regional integration than the present form of open regionalism.

In recent years, the Indian Ocean Rim Association has witnessed an increasing trend in the use of non-tariff measures (NTMs). This study evaluated the impact of NTMs in the Indian Ocean Rim Association through estimations of their ad valorem equivalents at the HS chapter and country levels. A gravity model using NTM count data (intensity) was specified and estimated to derive the importer-specific ad valorem equivalents for the four (4) most used NTMs in the region. The results showed the presence of both import-impeding and import-promoting effects of NTMs; however, the import-impeding effects dominated in the region. The quantitative restriction and safeguard measures were more restrictive compared to the sanitary and phytosanitary measures and technical barriers to trade. This was expected since quantitative restrictions are trade-distorting by design. This calls for reforming trade policy in the region toward NTMs that are more transparent and trade enhancing for successful subsequent trade negotiations in the Indian Ocean Rim Association, which would support the sustainable economic development of the region.

Developing oil-dependent countries, like Oman, have growing potentials to broaden their export base aside from the hydrocarbon sector, thus enhancing economic growth. The article aims to identify factors to enhance Oman non-oil exports to the COMESA countries with a focus on innovations and trade facilitation. At the macro level, the article uses country trade data to explore the determinants of trade. At the firm level, the focus is on firm export behavior and innovation. Results show the key role of trade facilitation and firm-level innovations in particular at the commodity level. Innovation is significant and positive for commodities like vegetables, plastic, hides, stone, glass, and machinery. Government’s policies to boost exports and enhance economic growth should be geared to reducing market risks facing exporting firms as well as rewarding innovative companies through better innovation-targeted policies.

Tourist loyalty is vital for destination success, fostering repeat visits and positive word-of-mouth. This study explores the psychological and safety-related factors driving tourist loyalty to natural attractions in Oman, a rising destination known for its stability and safety. Using Social Cognitive Theory as a foundation, the research incorporates perceived risk and novelty seeking as key moderating variables. Data were collected via an online survey of 165 international tourists and analyzed through Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Findings show that attachment, satisfaction, and novelty seeking significantly affect both attitudinal and behavioral loyalty. While perceived value strongly influences behavioral loyalty, its impact on attitudinal loyalty appears more complex, suggesting possible unobserved mediators. Additionally, risk perception and novelty seeking moderate the link between destination familiarity and loyalty, underscoring the role of tourists’ internal evaluations of safety and desire for new experiences. This study advances the limited literature on tourist loyalty in developing countries by integrating psychological and risk-related dimensions. It offers actionable insights for tourism planners and marketers in Oman: emphasizing the country’s safety reputation, improving satisfaction levels, and crafting experiences that blend familiarity with novelty can enhance tourist loyalty and ensure sustained competitiveness in the global tourism market.