11th Plan sets flexible growth blueprint in Oman

MUSCAT: The launch of Oman’s Eleventh Five-Year Development Plan (2026–2030) marks a decisive step in shaping a more diversified, resilient and inclusive economy, as the Sultanate of Oman advances into the second phase of Oman Vision 2040. Building on the fiscal consolidation and structural reforms achieved in recent years, the plan introduces a flexible development framework designed to sustain growth, strengthen financial stability and balance economic and social priorities.
The new plan reflects the outcomes of the first phase of Oman Vision 2040, which helped improve the sustainability of public finances, support GDP growth and expand non-oil sectors. These gains were accompanied by tangible social outcomes, including the rollout of a national social protection system, higher social spending and increased subsidies for food and essential services, alongside continued investment in healthcare, education, housing and strategic infrastructure.
A defining feature of the Eleventh Plan is its multi-track implementation model. The time-based track divides the plan period into three structured work programmes, allowing progress to be monitored and adjusted. The integrated, or mixed, track combines lessons from previous development plans with the outputs of technical teams, while allowing the government to introduce new strategic programmes in response to emerging priorities. This flexibility is intended to enable policymakers to adapt to economic shifts while maintaining long-term development momentum.
The third pillar, the planning track, for the first time clearly links economic and social development through two complementary components: an economic component focused on growth and diversification; and a developmental component centred on social, environmental and regional outcomes. Together, these pillars are positioned as essential to achieving the objectives of Oman Vision 2040 and the Sustainable Development Goals.
At the economic level, the plan prioritises sustainable diversification, innovation and fiscal discipline. Reducing reliance on oil revenues remains a core objective, alongside boosting export capacity and strengthening the competitiveness of non-oil sectors. These goals are supported by policies aimed at improving productivity, attracting investment and enhancing the role of the private sector as a driver of growth.
Equally significant is the plan’s strong emphasis on decentralisation and balanced regional development. Governorates are to be empowered with greater authority to make economic and development decisions, identify priority projects and attract investment aligned with their comparative advantages. This approach is designed to stimulate local economies, improve household incomes and ensure a more equitable distribution of development projects across the Sultanate of Oman.

The developmental component also places infrastructure at the centre of growth, including transport networks, smart cities and digital government services. Alongside this, the plan seeks to raise the efficiency of public services, strengthen governance and institutional performance; and embed transparency and accountability across government entities. Environmental sustainability is another key pillar, with a focus on green economy programmes, wider use of renewable energy and reduced carbon emissions to preserve natural resources for future generations.
Dr Salem bin Abdullah al Shaikh, official spokesperson of the Ministry of Economy, said the Eleventh Five-Year Plan introduces new development pathways that prioritise financial sustainability, economic growth and diversification as foundations for comprehensive and balanced development. He noted that the plan is grounded in a forward-looking strategic approach that anticipates global trends and enhances resilience to external shocks.
He added that one of the plan’s core objectives is to strengthen economic decentralisation by supporting governorates to leverage their competitive advantages, direct investments to local needs and build sustainable local economies. This, he said, would improve incomes, create jobs, enhance infrastructure and strengthen partnerships with the private sector, ultimately reinforcing national economic integration.
With its emphasis on flexibility, decentralisation and sustainability, the Eleventh Five-Year Development Plan positions Oman to consolidate recent reforms while advancing steadily towards the long-term ambitions of Vision 2040. — ONA