Muscat: The report revealed that total loans granted during 2025 stood at RO 213.8 million across 7,106 projects, compared to RO 234.9 million distributed among 7,398 projects in 2024.

The industrial sector emerged as the biggest beneficiary, receiving RO 71 million, accounting for 33.2 per cent of total loans. The “tourism, professional and public services” sector followed closely with RO 66.3 million, representing 31 per cent of the total, while the fisheries sector secured RO 31.6 million, making up 14.8 per cent.

One of the standout performers was the mining sector, which witnessed a sharp rise in financing share from just 0.7 per cent in 2024 to 4.8 per cent in 2025, with loan values exceeding RO 10.3 million.

Regionally, South Al Batinah and North Al Batinah governorates retained the largest share of Development Bank loans, jointly accounting for 24.9 per cent of total lending, valued at RO 53.3 million across 1,617 projects.

Muscat Governorate ranked second with RO 50.2 million distributed over 762 projects, representing 23.5 per cent of the total. South and North Sharqiyah governorates followed with a combined RO 35.5 million, accounting for 16.6 per cent. Al Dakhiliyah and Dhofar recorded shares of 9.3 per cent and 9 per cent respectively.

The data also highlighted strong momentum in Al Wusta Governorate, where the share of loans rose from 3.6 per cent in 2024 to 6.5 per cent in 2025. Meanwhile, Al Buraimi registered the lowest share among governorates at 1.8 per cent.

In contrast to the decline in development lending, housing finance posted steady growth. The total value of housing loans increased from RO 145.1 million in 2024 to RO 151.8 million in 2025, marking an annual rise of more than 4.6 per cent. Beneficiaries also increased slightly from 3,250 to 3,277.

Muscat Governorate led housing finance in terms of value with RO 41.7 million distributed over 842 loans, accounting for 27.5 per cent of the total. South Al Batinah followed closely with RO 40.4 million across 902 loans, while North Al Batinah ranked third with a 14.6 per cent share. Musandam recorded the lowest share at 1.2 per cent.

The report further showed that the majority of Oman Housing Bank loans in 2025 were concentrated among individuals earning between RO 701 and RO 1,000 monthly. This income group accounted for 75.8 per cent of the total value of housing loans, equivalent to RO 115 million distributed across 2,456 loans.

Borrowers earning up to RO 400 monthly represented 16.8 per cent of the total, while those earning more than RO 1,000 accounted for just 6.7 per cent of housing loan value.