Muscat – This decision amends Ministerial Decision No. 209/2020 by expanding the list of activities restricted to Omani investors only.
Under the new regulations, 28 additional activities have been reserved exclusively for Omani investors, increasing the total number of restricted activities to 123. These activities include various handicrafts, skin care services, event and furniture rental, and more. The list now includes the production of traditional handicrafts, retail of used vehicles, and several other specialized services.

The decision stipulates that any conflicting provisions are nullified and confirms that the new regulations will take effect the day after their publication. Existing investment projects are exempt from this decision and cannot be transferred without written approval from the Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion or their delegate.
This move is part of the Ministry’s broader strategy to encourage local entrepreneurship while ensuring that sectors related to national identity and heritage remain within Omani control. The updated list of restricted activities aims to create a more attractive environment for domestic investment and support the development of Omani-owned businesses.
Existing investment projects are excluded from the application of the provisions of this decision. A The list is updated based on the economic conditions for each stage.
As per the resolution, following is the list of activities prohibited for foreign investment:

1. Making handicraft products by distilling flowers and herbs
2. Making handicraft products to produce frankincense water and oil
3. Making leather crafts
4. Making handicraft products from palm fronds
5. Making craft products from wood
6. Making and preparing incense
7. Making handicraft products for cosmetics and perfumes
8. Making handicraft products from pottery and porcelain
9. Making handicrafts from stone and gypsum
10. Making silver crafts
11. Making handicraft products from copper and metals
12. Making craft products from aluminum
13. Making handicraft products of traditional fishing tools
14. Making bone-derived handicrafts
15. Skin care services
16. Event supplies and furniture rental
17. Retail sale in specialised stores of scrap building materials (including scrap iron trade)
18. Retail sale in specialised stores of drinking water (excluding production and transportation)
19. Growing live plants for planting, ornamental and seedling purposes (nurseries)
20. Used vehicles for sale
21. Mobile Cafe
22. Freshwater aquaculture
23. Old mailbox rental services
24. Public clerks services
25. Sanad Service Center
26. Management and operation of LPG (cooking gas) filling stations
27. Collecting used batteries and oils
28. Grocery stores