Indian ambassador to Oman, Indra Mani Pandey has said that there are 1500 joint ventures between the two countries, including textile-oriented ones. He said there is a new one being set up in Salalah, according to a leading Omani newspaper. Pandey welcomed Omani companies to invest in India’s textile sector which employs 35 million people. Textiles are an important part of Indian exports to Oman, the ambassador said. His comments came at an exhibition in Muscat titled ‘Vastram – Splendid World of Indian Textiles’, featuring more than 30 traditional Indian textiles and a large site-specific installation in three categories of painted/printed, woven/non-woven, embroidery and embellishments. The exhibition which runs till October 25, is part of the celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of India-Oman diplomatic ties. Pandey also highlighted the diversity of Indian textiles in terms of production, material and the processes involved, and he said that the purpose of the exhibition was to showcase this diversity to the people of Oman and the Indian community.
