Musandam advances investment drive

KHASAB: Musandam put 11 investment opportunities into use and developed or activated four tourism sites in the first nine months of 2026, exceeding its annual targets as the governorate expands tourism, logistics and other economic activities.
Government efforts also helped secure employment for 580 job seekers, while small and medium-sized enterprises received 116 contracts by the end of the third quarter, according to Mahja bint Mohammed al Shehhi, Director of the Oman Vision 2040 Implementation Follow-up Office at the Governor’s Office.
She said several development indicators had exceeded their annual targets, with the unemployment rate standing at about 3.8 per cent.
The results come as Musandam pursues infrastructure and industrial projects intended to attract investment, improve transport links and broaden its economic base.
The project pipeline includes the Sultan Faisal bin Turki Road linking Khasab, Lima and Dibba, the development of Khasab Port and associated logistics services, a special economic and tourism zone, and a new Musandam Airport.
Other initiatives cover strategic fuel and medical reserves, a College of Marine Sciences and a permanent branch of the University of Technology and Applied Sciences.
Al Shehhi identified the new Khasab Hospital, Mahas Industrial City and the Musandam Centre for Culture and Innovation among completed projects.
Transport improvements are intended to strengthen connections between the governorate’s wilayats, facilitate access to services and support tourism and business activity.
Musandam is also developing investment opportunities in eco-resorts, mountain and adventure tourism, fisheries-related industries, marine recreation and cultural projects.
Al Shehhi said tourism development would draw on the governorate’s coastal and mountain landscapes while balancing investment with the preservation of natural resources.
Support for smaller businesses remains a priority, with government and development contracts intended to expand their participation in the local economy and strengthen local content.
Training and qualification programmes are being pursued alongside employment initiatives to align workforce skills with business requirements. Planned higher education institutions are expected to support the development of skills needed by the governorate’s industries.
Musandam recorded an 83 per cent satisfaction rate with government services and ranked first on the community satisfaction index for essential services for four consecutive assessments, she said.
The governorate also registered 680 volunteers for community initiatives and maintained 17 recreational and sports facilities.
Al Shehhi said priorities for the next phase included attracting investment, improving project delivery, raising service quality and expanding employment opportunities. Development spending would be directed according to the needs and economic strengths of individual wilayats. — ONA