Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced that Oman has agreed to export raw marble blocks to India. The move is expected to reduce reliance on Turkish marble imports and support India’s processing industry in generating more jobs. Oman had banned the export of raw marble since 2016 to encourage domestic value addition.
Benefits for India’s Marble Sector
“Marble blocks were previously banned from export by Oman. India is the first country for which they have lifted this restriction,” Goyal said at a press briefing. “This will help our processing industry produce finished marble tiles and flooring domestically, replacing imports from Turkey at better prices.”
Context of India-Turkey Strain
The announcement comes amid strained ties between India and Turkey since May, when Turkish-made drones were reportedly used by Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. Citing national security concerns, the DGCA had revoked security clearance for Turkish ground handling firm Celebi Airport Services India.
Policy and Trade Perspective
A government official noted that exporting marble blocks, rather than finished slabs, is crucial for India’s downstream industry. “Blocks can be converted to slabs locally, making economic sense. We have allowed imports under quota,” the official said. The move could help bridge the shortage of ‘Makrana White’ marble in India, although Omani marble is likely to be used for decorative purposes rather than flooring due to its flaky nature.
Industry Demand and Economic Impact
Marble processors from Udaipur had petitioned the PMO to curb imports from Turkey, citing its support to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. India’s marble industry, estimated at ₹40,000 crore, primarily sources raw blocks from Turkey, Italy, and Vietnam, with production concentrated in Rajasthan and Gujarat. India’s raw marble imports currently stand at around 13 lakh metric tonnes.
Trade and Tourism Trends
Official trade data showed that India exported $5.72 billion to Turkey in FY25 while importing $2.99 billion. Meanwhile, Indian tourist interest in Turkey and Azerbaijan has declined, with travelers increasingly choosing destinations like Kazakhstan, Egypt, Jordan, Georgia, and Armenia.
