Muscat: Oman has successfully reshaped its industrial identity, placing manufacturing at the centre of national economic policies and reinforcing its position on the global economic map. This transformation has been reflected in the launch and completion of several landmark projects across key industrial zones.

Among the major developments are the Karwa Motors factory in the Duqm Special Economic Zone, the Sanvira Carbon plant in Dhofar Governorate, the Duqm Refinery, and the Liwa Plastics Industries Complex. The sector also marked the completion of the United Solar factory, strengthening supply-chain localisation for the solar panel industry.

In pharmaceutical security, new factories operated by Flex, Dhofar Pharma and Menagen have been launched, supporting higher industrial output, technology transfer, localisation of supply chains and the attraction of national talent.

Economic indicators underline the scale of the sector’s progress. Industrial output recorded annual growth of 7 per cent, while industrial exports exceeded RO 7 billion by the end of 2024. Foreign direct industrial investment reached approximately RO 2.8 billion, and employment in the sector rose to more than 57,000 Omani workers.

Internationally, Oman’s industrial advance has drawn recognition from the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, which classified the Sultanate as one of the emerging industrial countries. UNIDO praised the acceleration of high-tech industries and advanced value chains, noting that the Industrial Strategy 2040 offers a model for innovation-driven growth and technology localisation.

His Excellency Dr Saleh bin Saeed Masan, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion for Trade and Industry, said the next phase, aligned with the eleventh five-year plan, will focus on smart production and the adoption of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies to ensure sustainability and position industry as a core engine of economic diversification.

Engineer Khalid bin Salim Al-Qasabi, Director General of Industry at the ministry, reported record growth in industrial licence applications, supported by enabling programmes such as Itqan and the Smart Production Factories initiative. He also highlighted the rollout of new tools, including the Industrial Observatory and the Tasnee platform, to regulate sector purchases and enhance local content.

On downstream industries, Engineer Saeed bin Mohammed Al-Masoudi, CEO of Sohar Aluminium, said the company has built a strong base for downstream investments while raising Omanisation rates to record levels, boosting local added value in the national economy.

Engineer Omar bin Ali Al Balushi, CEO of the Omani Aluminium Rolling Company, described the past five years as pivotal for the industrial sector, marked by qualitative transformations that have strengthened Oman’s standing as a promising regional industrial hub, particularly in aluminium production and exports.

Meanwhile, Nasser bin Sulaiman Al Azri, CEO of Vale Oman, said the Sultanate offers an ideal environment for long-term industrial investment, noting that the company continues to invest annually in advanced industrial capabilities and is planning regional expansion aligned with sustainable growth objectives.