MUSCAT : The average time to establish a business has now dropped to just 4–5 days, compared to around 10 days in several countries across the region. The process involves only four main steps, with no minimum capital requirement.

This progress reflects Oman’s continued efforts to position itself as an attractive destination for investment, driven by legislative and regulatory reforms and an accelerated pace of digital transformation. These developments are closely aligned with the goals of Oman Vision 2040, which aims to create a diversified and sustainable economy.

Business registration in the Sultanate is now highly organised and transparent, featuring a streamlined process accessible through the ‘Oman Business’ platform, launched by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion. This digital platform offers an end-to-end service for entrepreneurs and investors, both domestic and international.

The improvement in Oman’s business environment is tracked through the Business Start-Up Index, managed by a national team under the National Competitiveness Committee, which also leads efforts to improve the Business Readiness Index. These initiatives aim to boost private sector participation, enhance export potential, and strengthen collaboration between government entities and the private sector, supported by a range of investment incentives and trade facilitation measures.

Digital transformation is playing a central role in this shift. The digitisation of business procedures – such as registration, licensing, and financing – has significantly reduced time and effort for investors, improved transparency, and enhanced service integration across government agencies. The adoption of modern technologies and artificial intelligence has made Oman’s business environment more agile, helping the country compete regionally and globally.

According to Mubarak bin Mohammed Al Dohani, Director General of Planning and Head of the Digital Transformation Team at the Ministry, the ministry has launched unified digital platforms offering more than 50 integrated e-services. These services range from company registration and trade name reservation to record issuance, licensing, and links with over 17 government entities under one system.

In a statement to the Oman News Agency, Al Dohani noted that the ‘Oman Business’ platform plays a leading role in these efforts. It supports services such as commercial record registration and cancellation, licensing, certificates of origin, intellectual property services, commercial permits, agency management, and company liquidation—all within a unified, user-friendly digital environment. As of the end of H1 2025, 76.5 percent of these services have been digitised, with 89 percent of commercial activities automatically licensed, and more than 1.26 million licences issued since the service’s launch in April 2021.

On the employment front, Saqr bin Saeed Al Rubaie, Director of the Employment Applications and Job Opportunities Analysis Department at the Ministry of Labour, emphasised the importance of integrating qualified national talent across economic sectors. He stressed that the sustainability of job opportunities and alignment of educational outcomes with market needs are critical to the growth and stability of private enterprises.

Al Rubaie outlined the Ministry’s efforts to support national employment through financial incentive schemes, including wage support for new labour market entrants for one to two years, and training programmes linked to employment and on-the-job training, to prepare Omani nationals for roles in the private sector.

Meanwhile, Dr. Saeed bin Khalifa Al Quraini, Director General of Investment Sector Development and Official Spokesperson for the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones, highlighted the Authority’s focus on improving the ease of starting businesses within the zones under its supervision. By providing integrated infrastructure and competitive investment incentives, the Authority plays a pivotal role in attracting regional and global investors.

Dr. Al Quraini noted that special economic zones, free zones, and industrial cities form a core pillar of Oman’s strategy to strengthen its standing on the international investment map. These zones offer significant advantages, such as 100 percent foreign ownership, long-term tax and customs exemptions, a strategic geographic location, and low operating costs.

He added that usufruct land costs in these zones are highly competitive, with a wide range of facilities and exemptions available. Additional incentives include income tax exemptions for up to 30 years, customs exemptions on imported equipment and raw materials, and flexible land lease terms. Investors also benefit from a dedicated electronic one-stop-shop, enabling fast and efficient business setup in a low-cost, high-value environment.

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