Economy is one of the main concerns of any country, in the past, present, and future, and the International trade or foreign trade is one of the parts or elements of it. One country can’t survive on its own. Like you can’t sit at your home and survive. If you want to survive you need to give and take, and in the economic language it is called “supply and demand”. What would you do if the air-conditioner of your house is out of order? Obviously, you go out and seek for an electrician to repair it. In such circumstances you must have a good and friendly relationship, because both of you want to survive, economically. The same concept is applied in International trade. International trade is considered as a part of International Relation.
Economically, the importance of Oman is always remembered, and well-appreciated by foreigners. Since ancient time Oman is known as an economic hub as many merchants had met in Oman’s coastal areas, like in Muttrah, Sur and Sohar for the purpose of trade and business. People, especially businessmen from India, Zanzibar, and Makuran (Gawader) used to meet in those mentioned areas. On the other hand Omani business people used to go to the other countries too, for the same purpose. They all have benefited from each other, by exchanging their products and services. What does this indicate? In the modern economy it is called the International Trade or foreign trade. One of the facts from the history is that Gawader was a part of Oman until 1958. So, is it possible to rebuild the economic relation between Oman and Gawader? It depends upon the economists’ opinions and their determinations.
In my opinion and if it is thought broadly as an economic view point, the trade relation will take many positive angles for the two states. In this relation there will be many opportunities for Omani products and services to be introduced or reintroduced to Gawader and to all people. For example; the fragrances (Bukhor and Lubaan) from Salalah are very famous in Gawader and well liked by the people of that area. Another product of Salalah is the coconut which is well-accepted in Gawader. Of course, the Omani Halwa which is very famous worldwide can also be exported and sold in Gawader’s market, and many more, like (fish, dates, lemon, mango, and banana). The services which can be exported to Gawader can be called “knowledge based economy” as there are many talented Omanis who can sell their knowledge there, especially in the fields of education (teaching of Arabic Language) directly from Arabic to Baluchi language to serve the literature of both, with the Omani literature as special, and practicing in the field of medicine, and geology. One thing should not be forgotten that His Majesty and his government have always supported Gawader financially to be developed.
It has many natural resources like gold, copper, oil, and gas and due to certain reasons these resources had not been well-introduced and exported to the International Market. Oman which has a great historical relation with Makuran and I think those natural resources can be exported to Omani market as raw materials, such as gold, copper, and the mineral resources (coal, chromate, barites, sulphur, marble, iron ore, quartzite, and limestone). Also, there are many talented and skilled people who can contribute in growing Oman’s economy.
According to some writings global trade allows wealthy and rich countries to use their resources — whether labour, technology or funds — more efficiently. Because countries are endowed with different assets and natural resources like land, labour, capital and technology. Some countries may produce the same goods more efficiently and therefore sell it more cheaply than other countries. If a country cannot efficiently produce an item, it can obtain the item by trading with another state that can do it. There are countries which can be taken as examples; Japan has gained its goodwill by exporting and selling its electronic products. India has gained its goodwill by exporting its skilled people’s IT knowledge and skill to foreign countries. Oman recently has gained its goodwill in football, as some football players playing and selling their skills in foreign football clubs. There are many countries which have gained their goodwill in the circle of economy. International Trade doesn’t restrain to import and export materials, but it carries many other things like understanding the culture, and language of other countries, and their literatures. It expands the friendship, co-operation, and respect. However, the economic relation between Oman and Gawader can replay the “pause” and bring opportunities for both nations as there are many similarities between them, like tradition, religion, hospitality, football, peacemaking, literature, and many more. This may open direct doors for further economic relations between countries, like Oman, Gawader, Zanzibar, and India as they were very closer in the past in having business and economic relation, and the same can be seen in future.