He made the remarks in a meeting with Iranian businessmen and economic activists in Ardabil province, with the participation of the Iranian Head of Iran-Oman joint economic commission Mohsen Zarrabi.

The Omani ambassador said, “it is vital for delegations from both countries to attend Iran-Oman joint economic summit to prepare the ground for the development of mutual economic relations.”

Zarrabi, for his part, announced that Iran’s exports to Oman stood at $146 million in 2016-2017 but the figure increased up to $728 million in 2017-2018.

According to him, Iran-Oman trade volume was $1.161 million in 2017-2018 (Iranian calendar year 1397, ended on March 20, 2018).

In late October, Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Minister Ali Asqar Mounesan announced that “Talks with Oman are underway to implement visa-free program for Iranian tourists visiting the country.”

On September 20, the cabinet of ministers approved to maintain a visa waiver program for Omani nationals which had been ratified last September for a one-year period.

Iran–Oman relations are bilateral relations between Oman and Iran. The two countries currently share diplomatic and economic ties dating back to the Pahlavi period. Oman considers Iran not to be a threat perceived by the other Arab states of the Persian Gulf.^{[citation needed]} Both countries are members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the Non-Aligned Movement and the Group of 77. Iran has an embassy in Muscat whilst Oman has an embassy in Tehran.

Mousavi made the announcement during a press conference on Sunday, adding that FM Zarif is due in Kazakhstan for a two-day visit starting Monday, November 11.

The Iranian diplomat will hold talks with senior Kazakh officials on Iran-Kazakhstan bilateral talks on issues and regional developments, according to Mousavi.

Zarif will also deliver a speech at a think tank, he added.

The Iranian foreign minister took part in the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO)’s meeting in Turkey’s Antalya on Saturday, during which he called on the member states to cooperate for realizing a more comprehensive community in the region, where “peace and security are promoted”.

Mousavi also maintained that Iran would be hosting a number of international meetings and conferences in the coming days, including the International Islamic Unity Conference which is held every year during the Islamic Unity week in Tehran.

A great number of scholars, religious thinkers and prominent figures from diverse countries will be taking part in the Conference, Mousavi added.

Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif called on the member states of the Economic Countries Organization (ECO), which Kazakhstan is one member in, to cooperate for realizing a more comprehensive community in the region, where “peace and security are promoted”.