Saturday 18 / October / 2025
Muscat: The Government of the Sultanate of Oman has made substantial investments in enhancing infrastructure to attract foreign investment. Developments include modernizing ports, free zones, road networks, and logistics services, alongside enacting laws for public-private partnerships, implementing reforms, and offering additional incentives to position Oman as a leading destination for foreign direct investment in the region.
Property registration in Oman is relatively straightforward, involving a limited number of steps through a partially digital system, supported by clear guidelines that help reduce the time required to issue title deeds.
Obtaining a building permit is a vital step before launching any investment project. Municipalities such as Muscat Municipality issue permits in coordination with relevant authorities, in line with the Ease of Doing Business Index.
Oman has also made notable progress in the energy and electricity sectors by developing a modern grid and introducing innovative services like prepaid meters and precise timelines for connecting electricity to new projects.
The rollout of 5G networks and the enhancement of digital infrastructure have further boosted Oman’s competitiveness as an investment hub, supported by other advantages such as social and security stability and a high standard of living.
The Unified Municipal System project aims to standardize and improve municipal services across all governorates using smart digital solutions. It includes the creation of a centralized digital platform for managing and delivering municipal services to users outside Oman. The system integrates with all relevant institutions and aims to offer around 93 unified electronic services, consolidating over 300 municipal procedures into a single platform.
The initiative focuses on streamlining and simplifying procedures using modern technologies such as artificial intelligence applications and smart city concepts to improve operational efficiency and enhance the overall user experience.
A suite of integrated digital platforms has also been launched, marking a qualitative leap in real estate and planning services. Among them is the “Amlak” platform, which offers 59 main services and over 83 sub-services in urban planning, legal transactions, real estate development, and social housing.
Projects are environmentally classified to determine whether a comprehensive environmental impact assessment, a simplified evaluation, or a basic environmental commitment form is required—depending on the project’s size and type.
Dr. Yousuf bin Hamad Al Balushi, economic expert and founder of the Smart Gateway for Consulting and Investment, affirmed that Oman has made tangible progress in improving its business environment. He emphasized that the nature of business environments is dynamic, requiring continuous efforts to enhance flexibility and attractiveness for both local and international companies.
He noted that improving the business climate must be accompanied by a cultural shift among government service providers and investors alike. There is a national need to boost local content and create job opportunities for citizens, which requires ongoing development and capacity-building among stakeholders to adopt a renewed service-oriented mindset.
Dr. Abdulsalam Faraj Yahya, economic expert at the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry and member of the Omani Economic Association, stated that Oman has undergone positive economic transformations through the restructuring of legislation related to business and investment. Key laws include the Foreign Capital Investment Law, the Public-Private Partnership Law, and the Bankruptcy Law.
He added that the government has implemented various policies such as the Medium-Term Fiscal Balance Plan, the “Nazdahir” National Program, the Financial Stimulus Plan, and the Export Support and Promotion Center all of which have significantly improved the investment and business climate.
The government has also developed essential infrastructure to support business, including economic zones, free zones, and industrial cities. The Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry has played a major role in supporting the private sector by adopting comprehensive strategic development directions.
The Chamber has launched several initiatives and programs to enhance the business environment, including the establishment of international business councils and support centers such as the Commercial Arbitration Center, the National Product Coding Center, the Social Investment Center, the Economic Research and Studies Center, the Entrepreneurship and Franchise Center, and the Financial Manager Program.
These combined efforts have positively impacted key economic indicators, including GDP growth, credit ratings, and a reduction in the state budget deficit. They have also led to increased private sector contributions in job creation for nationals and a significant rise in foreign direct investment and international trade flows.
