Australia is ramping up talks with Gulf nations on a free trade agreement.
Negotiations have stalled in recent years since starting in 2007 with Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
But parliamentary secretary Steve Ciobo, who's just visited Oman this week, says he's hopeful a preliminary deal would mean a boost for Australia.
The region was important as a major trade facilitation destination between Asia and Europe.
"The discussion is complex in the sense that it is multi-lateral," Mr Ciobo told AAP on Thursday.
"But we are genuinely hopeful that if we are able to secure a preliminary FTA with GCC members, that would mean a big boost for Australia."
He does not see the issue of halal certification being a barrier.
"No-one raised it with me from the GCC and I don't see it being an issue," he said.
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