OCEC unveils lineup as Muscat emerges as premier hub for events

IDRIS AL BALUSHI
MUSCAT: The Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC) is gearing up for one of its busiest seasons yet, welcoming more than 10,000 delegates from over 30 countries as it solidifies its position on the global events map.
The final quarter calendar includes the World Cancer Congress 2025, Green Hydrogen Summit Oman, Oman Health Exhibition and Conference, the 18th Arab Steel Summit, and the 3rd Oman Corrosion and Material Innovation Summit. Major exhibitions like the Home and Building Expo will showcase creativity in art, architecture and sustainable urban development.
In the first five months of 2025 alone, OCEC attracted over one million visitors, including 20,000 international delegates, marking a 216-per cent increase compared to the same period last year.
This surge highlights the centre’s expanding global reach and growing role as a hub for international gatherings. Beyond conferences, OCEC is also establishing itself as a cultural platform, hosting concerts, festivals and exhibitions that bring international talent to Oman.
Events like Kazem Al Saher’s concert and flagship events like Muscat Art showcase the country's blend of tradition and modern creativity. This year, OCEC has already hosted 180 local events, with 20 major international events in the works.

The diverse portfolio now includes 48 new formats ranging from theatre and musicals to comedy, sports and gaming festivals to cater to a wide range of audiences.
Said al Shanfari, CEO of OCEC, emphasised that the centre serves as a platform for exchange, inspiration and discovery. He noted that the current season's schedule reflects the centre’s ability to attract leaders, artists and innovators from around the world while showcasing Oman's culture and future vision in alignment with Oman Vision 2040.
The centre’s success is greatly supported by its world-class infrastructure, including 5,000 parking spaces utilised during large-scale events, as well as its strong local partnerships, with over a quarter of suppliers being Omani SMEs.
Initiatives such as internships, training and youth engagement programmes are also nurturing local talent in the events sector. As a subsidiary of Omran Group, OCEC features advanced infrastructure capable of hosting large-scale and consecutive events, with local value creation through the engagement of SMEs representing more than 25 per cent of its suppliers.
It also provides training opportunities and empowers youth through specialised programs. Therefore, OCEC continues to drive in-country value while firmly establishing Oman on the global events stage.