MUSCAT : The Ministry aims to complement the government’s digital transformation initiatives, enhance the investment climate, and simplify business start-up procedures to attract investors and support projects that strengthen the national economy.

The Sultanate has recently embarked on an ambitious journey to transition to a knowledge-based economy and foster a digital society. The national strategy includes building human capacities, upgrading infrastructure, implementing e-government solutions, and establishing legislative frameworks to ensure trust and effective regulation.

Statistics released by the Ministry revealed that the number of commercial registrations reached 395,100 by the end of the third quarter of this year. The total number of transactions completed through the ‘Oman Business Platform’ was 75,663, while the total number of applications for company liquidation was approximately 8,323, and the number of applications for company cancellation was 257,035.

Statistics also indicated that the number of foreign investment registrations totalled 70,900, while industrial licenses in the governorates reached 108,800. Foreign direct investment totalled RO 30.28 billion by mid-2025, marking a 12.8 percent increase from the previous year. The volume of foreign direct investment in the manufacturing sector amounted to RO 2.7 billion, and the total volume of trade exchange between the Sultanate of Oman and the countries of the world amounted to about RO 26.7 billion, with merchandise exports at RO 15.3 billion, including RO 9.8 billion from oil and gas and RO 4.4 billion from non-oil sectors.

The Ministry also reported that the manufacturing sector contributed approximately RO 1.97 billion to the GDP by June 2025, with industrial activities accounting for 18.6 percent and manufacturing industries 9.5 percent of GDP at current prices.

The Ministry continues to facilitate services and stimulate investment through the Oman Business platform, integrating 17 government agencies and exchanging data with 35 others, including the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry. By the end of 2024, 76.5 percent of services were digitised, and 89 percent of commercial activities were automatically licensed, totalling over 748,000 automatic licenses since April 2021.

The Ministry’s Invest in Oman hall unites 14 government agencies and six private entities to provide investors with a seamless experience. The Oman Exports initiative also connects Omani companies to global markets and supports SMEs in developing non-oil exports, which reached RO 1.618 billion in Q1 2025, up 8.6 percent year-on-year.

Through the Advantage Oman’ roundtables, the Ministry has attracted investments from countries including Belgium, Russia, India, Canada, and Indonesia. Two upcoming roundtables will target priority sectors of the Oman 2040 vision in Türkiye and South Africa.

The Ministry also implements the Golden Visa Program for investors, providing renewable 10-year residency to strengthen Oman’s position as a long-term investment destination. By September 2025, 2,593 investors received 10-year visas, 815 received 5-year visas, and five retirees received residency permits.

The Directorate General of Standards and Metrology registered over 109 testing and calibration laboratories and 126 conformity assessment bodies in 2025. More than 200 new Omani standards were issued, and 900 Gulf standards reviewed. The Ministry continues to implement the Smart Production Factories project, adopting Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies to enhance the competitiveness of Omani factories.

The Ministry is advancing the National E-Commerce Plan, achieving 75 percent of its targets across eight pillars, including ICT infrastructure, transport, electronic procurement, and business facilitation through the Ma’roof Oman platform. National product initiatives, including the ‘Made in Oman’ campaign, aim to unify the marketing identity and boost export competitiveness.

As of the first quarter of 2025, 10,891 Omanis were employed in the construction, manufacturing, and wholesale and retail trade sectors. The Ministry continues to support Omanisation through initiatives and partnerships with the private sector and educational institutions.

The National Team for Combating Illicit Trade has monitored 106 activities, including foreign investment-restricted sectors, telecommunications, pharmacies, and dental clinics. Electronic transactions through 924 Sanad Service Centers reached approximately 813,000 in the first ten months of 2025.

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