Muscat: According to the National Competitiveness Office (NCO), the Corruption Perceptions Index placed Oman at 50th globally out of 180 countries, while the Environmental Performance Index ranked the Sultanate 55th worldwide. Additionally, Oman now ranks 50th out of 133 countries in the Network Readiness Index, reflecting improvements in digital infrastructure and technological advancement.

Oman’s Economic Freedom Score rose from 62.9 to 65.4, classifying the economy as “fairly free”. Meanwhile, Oman improved across key World Governance Indicators, with the Rule of Law Index reaching 70.2 out of 100, the Regulatory Quality Index at 66.5, and the Government Effectiveness Index rising to 62.2.

Dr. Salem bin Abdullah Al Sheikh, Director of the National Competitiveness Office at the Ministry of Economy, credited these advancements to dedicated national teams and committees.

He highlighted ongoing efforts to align government performance with global standards, including new legislative reforms, governance initiatives, and strategic projects aimed at enhancing Oman’s global standing. The National Center for Statistics and Information also played a critical role in ensuring accurate data reporting to UN-affiliated international organizations.

Looking ahead, Oman aims to enhance its position in several key indices, including the Innovation Index, Business Readiness Index, and Future Growth Index. The Sultanate is also preparing to re-enter the Ease of Doing Business Index, which has been relaunched with a new methodology post-pandemic.

Dr. Yousef bin Hamad Al Balushi, economic expert and founder of the Smart Portal for Consulting and Investment, emphasized the strategic importance of these rankings in attracting foreign investors and boosting Oman’s economic transformation under Vision 2040.

While Oman’s progress in international rankings is commendable, Al Balushi noted that further improvements are needed to drive economic diversification, enhance global partnerships, and accelerate private sector growth.