Muscat: The governorate is seeking to turn its strategic location, coastline, marine resources and distinctive natural landscape into quality investment opportunities that can generate jobs, strengthen private sector participation and support the economic diversification objectives of Oman Vision 2040.

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Qutaiti, Director of the Department of Trade, Industry and Investment Promotion in Musandam Governorate, said Musandam possesses promising economic and investment assets across several vital sectors.

He said the governorate’s strategic location and diverse resources provide strong potential to attract quality investments, expand non-oil activities and increase local added value.

Among the most promising opportunities are sustainable and high-quality tourism projects, including environmental and tourist resorts, marine and adventure tourism, as well as medical and wellness tourism.

Al Qutaiti said the maritime economy also presents significant investment potential through fisheries-related industries, maritime services, boat and yacht maintenance, port-linked logistics activities and other marine services.

Opportunities are also available for the localisation of light and manufacturing industries, fisheries processing, circular economy projects and recycling, alongside distribution centres, storage facilities and services supporting maritime and commercial movement.

He identified sustainable and medical tourism, the maritime economy, small and medium value-added industries, logistics and supply chains as priority sectors for Musandam.

The governorate’s natural characteristics, which combine mountains, bays and coastlines, give it a distinctive tourism and investment advantage, while its rich marine resources offer a strong foundation for fisheries and maritime-related industries.

According to Al Qutaiti, agriculture, forestry and fishing activities recorded growth of around 7.6 per cent, highlighting their increasing contribution to local economic activity and creating further opportunities for investment in agricultural and fisheries production and related manufacturing industries.

Musandam currently has around 3,000 licences for active economic activities, covering sectors including construction contracting, fishing, fish preservation and packaging, agriculture, shipping agencies, hotels and resorts.

Al Qutaiti said the diversity of these activities reflects the breadth of Musandam’s economy and provides a foundation for expanding private sector participation, supporting small and medium enterprises and attracting further investment.

Major infrastructure and development projects are also expected to strengthen the governorate’s investment appeal.

These include the development of Khasab Port, the Khasab-Lima-Dibba road, the development of Mahas Industrial City, as well as a number of tourism projects.

He said these projects would improve connectivity, commercial and tourism activity and access to economic sites, while increasing Musandam’s readiness to receive new investments.

Looking ahead, the governorate will focus on sustainable tourism, the maritime economy, value-added industries and logistics, alongside the empowerment of SMEs and the attraction of quality investments.

Al Qutaiti said continued infrastructure development and an expanding investment base could further strengthen Musandam’s position as an economic, tourism and investment destination while generating jobs, stimulating local businesses and increasing the contribution of non-oil sectors to Oman’s wider economic diversification drive.