Oman to Commemorate Oman Industry Day Tomorrow

Oman to
Commemorate Oman Industry Day Tomorrow

Muscat, 8 Feb 2026 (ONA) —
The Sultanate of Oman will observe Oman Industry Day tomorrow (Monday), an
annual occasion held on the ninth of February. This year’s celebrations will be
held under the theme “From Oman to the World: Competitive Industry, Global
Vision,” aimed at showcasing the competitive geographic and economic
advantages of the nation’s industrial zones and their vital role in advancing
export performance. The event further highlights the strategic efforts to
provide the enablers, incentives, and facilitative measures that underpin the
sustained expansion of the industrial sector.

Oman Industry Day serves as a
distinguished platform to present the international achievements of Omani
industrial exports, while encouraging national manufacturers to enhance product
development and elevate quality standards to meet globally recognized
specifications. The occasion also focuses on attracting and stimulating
export-oriented industrial investments and sharing the success narratives of
Omani enterprises that have attained global market access and international
competitiveness.

This year’s commemoration
reaffirms the central role of industrial exports in amplifying Oman’s economic
stature worldwide and underscores the quality and competitive strength of Omani
products in regional and international arenas. Furthermore, it seeks to
strengthen coordination and synergy among government bodies, manufacturers, and
exporters to address prevailing challenges, refine export frameworks, and
leverage the findings and recommendations from the 2025 Industry Day
proceedings to shape future policies and initiatives. These efforts align with
the strategic aims of Oman Vision 2040 in fostering economic diversification
and augmenting value addition.

The Ministry of Commerce,
Industry and Investment Promotion will host the signature event, “From
Oman to the World: Competitive Industry, Global Vision,” on 15 February 2026,
under the patronage of Abdulsalam bin Mohammed Al Murshidi, Chairman of Oman
Investment Authority (OIA).

The Oman’s industrial sector
continues to solidify its role as a cornerstone of the national economy, with
industrial exports valued at approximately RO 1.618 billion in the first
quarter of 2025—accounting for nearly 28 percent of total exports. The sector
has posted strong growth in key areas such as electrical equipment and metal
products manufacturing. It contributes an estimated 9.5 percent to the nation’s
Gross Domestic Product, with non-oil industrial exports continuing an upward
trajectory, reaching around RO 6.2 billion in 2024.

The Ministry further noted
that by the close of 2025, the industrial sector had registered substantial
milestones, demonstrating both its resilience and its expanding contribution to
the national economy. The manufacturing industries’ share of GDP reached
approximately RO 3.879 billion, marking a growth of 7.2 percent compared to the
RO 3.620 billion recorded in 2024.

Foreign investment in the
industrial sector also rose significantly to around RO 3.490 billion during
2025, reflecting a notable 24.6 percent increase from the approximately RO 2.800
billion registered in 2024. This surge underscores growing investor confidence
in the sector’s prospects and its supportive investment climate.

The non-oil export sector
achieved significant growth, reaching approximately RO 6.885 billion in 2025,
marking a 10.5 percent increase from the RO 6.232 billion recorded in 2024.
This expansion underscores the growing international footprint of
Omani-manufactured goods.

Employment within the
industrial sector also rose to approximately 248,000 workers in 2025,
reflecting a 3 percent increase from the 240,761 workers reported in 2024,
thereby affirming the sector’s vital role in generating domestic employment.

Furthermore, by the close of
2025, a total of 166 industrial establishments had obtained the National
Product Identity designation, with 439 exemption requests approved. These
figures demonstrate the tangible impact of government incentives and
facilitative measures in bolstering industrial operations and strengthening the
competitiveness of locally produced goods.

Ghalib bin Said Al Maamari,
Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion
for Commerce and Industry, stated, “The industrial sector’s performance in
2025 validates the success of government policies aimed at cultivating a robust
industrial ecosystem and the efficacy of investor-focused incentives and
facilities.” He emphasized that the concurrent growth in manufacturing
output, foreign investment, and non-oil exports signals the sector’s capacity
to fulfill national economic diversification objectives.

In remarks to the Oman News
Agency, he elaborated that the Ministry is committed to advancing the
legislative and regulatory framework governing the industrial sector,
streamlining administrative procedures, and deepening collaboration with the
private sector. These efforts are designed to elevate the global
competitiveness of Omani products and attract high-value investments grounded
in advanced technology and innovation, aligning with the overarching goals of
Oman Vision 2040.

The industrial sector in the
Sultanate of Oman continues to advance resolutely, reinforcing its status as a
primary engine for economic diversification. This progress is guided by the
Industrial Strategy 2040, which aims to establish a modern, technology-driven
manufacturing base, harness national creative talent, and integrate innovative
production techniques to enhance the quality and competitiveness of Omani
industrial products in local, regional, and global markets.

The strategy is founded on a
clear vision underpinned by four strategic programs and targets five principal
objectives: diversifying manufacturing into technology and knowledge-intensive
activities; developing industrial products that improve public health and
well-being; expanding the regional reach of Omani industry and facilitating
entry into new international markets; upgrading manufacturing capabilities with
cutting-edge technologies; and fostering a pervasive culture of industrial
innovation.

Strategic focus is directed
toward three high-potential industrial clusters: resource-based industries,
capital-intensive industries, and knowledge-based industries. These encompass
sectors such as oil refining, food processing, metals and mining, electrical
and mechanical engineering, marine equipment, transportation, alongside
emerging fields like solar panel manufacturing, hydrogen production, and
recycling. The implementation framework includes 90 strategic initiatives
developed in partnership with 125 entities affiliated with the Ministry of
Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion and 140 strategic partners. Current
progress metrics indicate 7 percent of initiatives have been completed, with a
further 13 percent actively underway.

Data recorded from 2021
through 2024 affirms the sector’s robust performance, with industrial
production achieving significant growth. The sector’s contribution to the Gross
Domestic Product stood at 9.4 percent in 2024, an increase from 8.9 percent in
2020. Concurrently, foreign direct investment in the industrial sector reached RO
2.8 billion by the close of 2024.

Non-oil merchandise exports
from the Sultanate of Oman grew by approximately 5.8 percent. The contribution
of the manufacturing sector at constant prices expanded from RO 2.81 billion in
2020 to exceed RO 3.62 billion in 2024. Customs exemption approvals surged by
41.6 percent between 2020 and 2025. Furthermore, the growth rate for approved
industrial licenses increased by 68.7 percent from 2020 to 2024. Products
certified with the National Product Identity emblem totalled 6,957, bolstering
the market presence of Omani goods both domestically and internationally.

Labour market indicators
reveal accelerated employment growth within the industrial sector. The
workforce expanded from 20,218 in 2020 to 240,761 in 2024, rising further to
248,000 in 2025. Projections estimate the workforce will reach approximately
277,000 by 2030, underscoring the sustained expansion of industrial activities
and their enhanced capacity to generate employment and fortify the national labour
market.

Oman’s endeavours to cultivate
its industrial sector have garnered extensive international and domestic
recognition. The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
commended the sector’s transformative shift, propelled by the rapid advancement
of high-technology industries. A World Bank report affirmed the industrial
sector’s central role in diversifying revenue streams and securing a current
account surplus.

In a September 2025 report,
Standard & Poor’s noted that the manufacturing, services, and construction
sectors constitute the principal engine of economic growth in Oman. Similarly,
the International Monetary Fund’s 2025 report identified manufacturing as the
foremost driver of non-oil economic expansion.

As part of ongoing efforts to
streamline procedures and advance digital transformation, several key
initiatives have been launched. These include the issuance of the National
Product Identity via the “Made in Oman” platform, the integration of
the Gulf Industrial Platform with the Industrial Observatory system, and the
introduction of the Smart Production Factories project. A streamlined mechanism
for licensing Liquefied Petroleum Gas (cooking) stations was also implemented.
Additional milestones encompass the publication of the second edition of the
Omani Products Directory, an increase in the rate of automated license issuance
to 80 percent, and the signing of industrial cooperation agreements and memoranda
of understanding with various international and regional organizations.

Strategic targets for the
industrial sector under the Eleventh Five-Year Plan feature the execution of
several specialized programs. Chief among these is the Industrial and Technological
Innovation Program, which prioritizes the establishment of dedicated industrial
technology centers, the strengthening of university-industry partnerships,
support for innovation projects, and the encouragement of smart manufacturing
adoption. The program also includes creating business incubators and
accelerators and organizing industrial innovation competitions.

Further objectives are
encapsulated in the Program for Empowering Omani Industries and Enhancing Their
Efficiency. This initiative aims to operationalize the Industrial Observatory,
improve energy efficiency in high-consumption factories, reduce the industrial
carbon footprint, facilitate the adoption of Fourth Industrial Revolution
technologies by national manufacturers, and promote the transition towards
sustainable green industries. These measures are designed to elevate the
competitiveness of Omani products in both domestic and regional markets.

The Industrial Sector
Stimulation Program has introduced a comprehensive suite of financial instruments,
facilitative measures, and investment incentives. These initiatives are
complemented by dedicated export financing schemes, funding for renewable
energy and advanced technology projects that boost energy efficiency, and the
provision of pre-equipped industrial facilities to accelerate project
implementation.

A core objective of the
program is to enhance value-addition within the manufacturing sector. This is
pursued through the development of robust value chains, the establishment of
complementary industries, and the provision of targeted incentives designed to
foster greater industrial integration. Additional support services are also
being deployed to elevate production efficiency and increase local content.

Faisal bin Abdullah Al Rowas,
Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry
(OCCI), remarked, “Oman Industry Day is a national milestone that
underscores the industrial sector’s elevated stature and its pivotal role in
bolstering the national economy, advancing economic diversification, and laying
the groundwork for sustainable growth and competitiveness.” He elaborated
that this year’s theme signifies a strategic ambition to propel domestic
industry onto broader regional and international stages by maximizing value
addition, expanding productive capacity, attracting quality industrial
investment, and increasing the sector’s contribution to the Gross Domestic
Product.

In a statement to the Oman
News Agency, Al Rowas affirmed that the private sector stands as the principal
partner in forging a robust and competitive industrial base. He highlighted the
Chamber’s commitment to fostering a conducive industrial business climate,
advocating for the interests of industrialists, contributing to the development
of investment-friendly regulatory and legislative frameworks, and empowering
small and medium enterprises to integrate into local and global supply and
value chains.

He further noted that the
Chamber is intensifying its efforts to amplify the global reach of Omani
industries. This involves expanding international economic networks,
coordinating overseas trade missions, and forging institutional alliances with
global industrial leaders—all initiatives aimed at unlocking new markets for
national products and strengthening their competitive edge.

He pointed to the necessity of
embracing modern production paradigms driven by innovation, advanced
technology, digital transformation, and environmental sustainability in
response to worldwide industrial shifts. He reiterated the Chamber’s dedication
to ensuring the Omani industrial sector is fully prepared to navigate these
evolving trends and bolster its long-term resilience and capacity for growth.

OCCI Chairman concluded by
stating that Omani Industry Day exemplifies the growing confidence in the
national industry’s potential and represents a unified commitment from both the
public and private sectors to advance Omani industry, secure its standing in
international markets, and amplify its role in achieving comprehensive economic
development.

Eng. Dawood bin Salim Al Haddabi, Chief Executive
Officer of the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates “Madayn,”
stated that this year’s Oman Industry Day coincides with Madayn’s launch of an
expansive five-year phased plan (2026-2030). The plan is centered on key
targets, including elevating the aggregate export value from Madayn’s
industrial cities from the current RO 3.79 billion annually to RO 4.3 billion by
the conclusion of 2030. This will be guided by an actionable implementation
framework that aligns institutional programs with executable projects and key
performance indicators. The approach carefully considers existing institutional
capacities, the prevailing legislative and regulatory environment, and
long-term financial sustainability. It is founded upon a comprehensive analysis
of developmental and operational gaps, a review of regional and international
competitive challenges, and an assessment of Madayn’s position within global
industrial value chains. This strategic focus ensures resources and programs
are directed toward initiatives with the highest economic and developmental
impact, yielding measurable outcomes in the coming period.

In a statement to the Oman News Agency, he
elaborated that the plan will advance in parallel with the development of core
infrastructure and services within both existing and new industrial cities. It
also encompasses attracting strategic industries, establishing specialized
industrial zones, refining the investor journey and ease of doing business,
accelerating digital transformation through the adoption of artificial
intelligence, and bolstering projects related to environmental sustainability,
energy efficiency, and renewable energy.

He further explained that the Omani Products Export
Promotion Team (OPEX), which is chaired by Madayn, aims through its 2025-2026
plan to penetrate new, high-potential markets for Omani goods across several
vital industrial sectors. The objective is to forge new distribution channels
for national products by diversifying marketing avenues and increasing export
volumes. The initiative also supports Omani companies and small and medium
enterprises in adopting novel approaches to trade, export, and targeted
industrial activities. This endeavour seeks to elevate Oman’s profile on the
global trade map, open new international markets for exporters, identify
promising commercial opportunities, and secure trade agreements that bolster
the growth of national exports.

Eng. Khalid bin Salim Al Qasabi, Director General
of Industry at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion,
affirmed that the industrial sector’s robust performance in 2025 resulted from
the synergistic implementation of programs and initiatives under the Industrial
Strategy 2040. He noted that the recorded indicators demonstrate tangible
advancement in areas of production capacity expansion, export growth,
investment stimulation, and job creation.

In remarks to the Oman News Agency, he added that
the Directorate General of Industry is concentrated on empowering national
factories to integrate modern technologies, accelerating the shift towards
smart and green industries, and developing robust industrial value chains,
alongside fostering industrial innovation. These efforts are designed to
enhance production efficiency, ensure sustainable growth, and strengthen the
presence of Omani industries in regional and international markets.

He indicated that the Industrial Strategy targets
raising the manufacturing sector’s contribution to Gross Domestic Product from
5.25 percent to significantly higher levels, with an annual growth rate of up
to 7 percent. The strategic objectives aim to achieve specific contribution ratios
of 9.54 percent, 14 percent, and 7.37 percent at various stages. Performance
indicators for 2024 point toward reaching a 9.5 percent contribution, according
to data from the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI).

He further detailed that foreign
direct investment in the industrial sector grew from RO 1.705 billion in 2021
to RO 2.8 billion in 2024, with projections set to reach RO 3.490 billion in
2025 and ultimately RO 8.490 billion by 2030. He noted that the
“Industrial Strategy 2040” targets a reduction in the share of
government investments to 12 percent by 2040, while concurrently elevating
foreign direct investment to 34 percent and domestic investment to 54 percent.
This strategic shift is aligned with an objective to achieve a 39 percent
increase in non-oil merchandise exports every five years, commencing in 2025.

Sheikh Dr. Hilal bin Abdullah
Al Hinai, Chairman of the Oman Manufacturers Association, remarked that this
year’s Oman Industry Day slogan encapsulates the strategic trajectory of the
national industry, marking a phase of qualitative transformation. He described
this as a shift from primarily serving the domestic market to competing
effectively in regional and international arenas by enhancing the
value-addition of national products, elevating quality standards, and embracing
innovation and modern technology.

He reported that the
manufacturing sector recorded an average real growth of approximately 6.6
percent between 2021 and 2024, underscoring the sector’s resilience and its
potential for sustained expansion. The value-added from manufacturing industries
also rose to around RO 3.6 billion in 2024, representing approximately 9.4
percent of the real Gross Domestic Product.

Among the notable achievements
of Omani industry, he highlighted strategic diversification into multiple
sectors, including food, chemical, and metal processing, alongside broader
manufacturing. This has been coupled with continuous improvements in quality
benchmarks and production efficiency, thereby strengthening the competitiveness
of Omani goods in both domestic and international markets. He also pointed to
the increasing integration of national talent within the sector, estimating the
current Omani workforce in industry to be between 35,000 and 40,000. This trend
demonstrates the efficacy of nationalization policies and capacity-building
initiatives, affirming the industrial sector’s role in generating sustainable
employment and augmenting the national workforce’s contribution to the economy.

In a statement to the Oman
News Agency, he emphasized the critical role of government facilitation in this
progress. Support has been provided through an enabling regulatory framework,
streamlined administrative procedures, targeted investment incentives, and the
development of robust industrial infrastructure within specialized economic
zones. These measures have collectively enhanced the sector’s appeal to both
domestic and international investors.

The Chairman of the Oman
Manufacturers Association concluded by affirming that national industries have
made significant strides in automating industrial processes and adopting
digital transformation. These advancements are instrumental in boosting
production efficiency, minimizing waste, increasing local content, integrating
factories with suppliers via sophisticated digital platforms, optimizing supply
chain visibility, and fostering data-driven decision-making.

— Ends/Khalid