MUSCAT : The number of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) operating in Oman rose sharply between 2022 and 2025, with around 45,000 new establishments entering the market, reflecting growing entrepreneurial activity and stronger support ecosystems, Her Excellency Halima bint Rashid Halima bint Rashid Al Zar’ee said on Monday.
Speaking during the second day of the Together Forward forum, Al-Zari, Chairperson of the Public Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Riyada), said the expansion included a notable rise in home-based businesses, which now total about 14,000 owners, around 7,000 of whom operate in craft-based activities.
She highlighted the growing regional and international presence of Omani SMEs, noting that around 11,000 small and medium enterprises took part in overseas exhibitions last year, helping local businesses access new markets and promote Omani products abroad.
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Al-Zari said the figures underline the impact of policies aimed at empowering entrepreneurs, enhancing skills, and encouraging innovation, adding that SMEs remain a key pillar in strengthening economic diversification and job creation in the Sultanate.
The Together Forward forum brings together government officials, business leaders and entrepreneurs to discuss development priorities, economic opportunities and ways to strengthen public-private partnership in Oman.
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