Oman widens local content investment drive

BUSINESS REPORTER
MUSCAT, OCT 18
The Sultanate of Oman is preparing to extend its Local Content Certificate to government entities subject to the Tenders Law in 2027, as it seeks to increase domestic procurement, develop manufacturing capacity and expand employment opportunities for Omanis.
The phased rollout was reviewed at the second meeting of the Executive Committee for Local Content for 2026, chaired by Dr Khamis bin Saif al Jabri, Minister of Economy.
The certificate’s initial rollout began in the energy sector. Its extension to government entities will pave the way for wider adoption in subsequent phases.
The committee reviewed local content performance in the first half of 2026, progress on decisions taken at its previous meeting, and initiatives to increase the use of locally supplied goods and services.
Six manufacturing investment opportunities were announced during the first half of the year, including four introduced by Nama, part of the Oman Investment Authority’s portfolio.
These cover reverse osmosis membranes for desalination plants, ring main units, steel utility poles and cooling components for electrical transformers.
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning announced two further opportunities through its Tatweer platform. One involves establishing, financing, equipping and operating a factory producing locks, hinges and metal door accessories. The other covers establishing, financing and operating a sanitary ware plant.
Employment initiatives included a programme targeting the Omanisation of 130 job titles at service providers and contracting companies operating in the oil and gas sector.
The committee reviewed efforts by oil and gas operators to identify employment opportunities for Omanis within their contracts, alongside work by the Ministry of Energy and Minerals to identify additional goods and services that could be supplied locally.
It also examined Oman Investment Authority initiatives to develop domestic industrial capacity, localise artificial intelligence activities and build advanced technical capabilities.
The committee called for closer coordination among government entities, military and security bodies, oil and gas operators, and companies affiliated with the authority. Sharing expertise and replicating successful initiatives across sectors would help strengthen local content implementation, it said.
Discussions also covered work by military and security bodies and the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones to develop regulatory frameworks and improve local content practices.
The Authority for Projects, Tenders and Local Content presented progress on implementation methods and regulations, including the framework governing the mandatory list of goods and services.
Its National Content Office is coordinating efforts across sectors to identify investment opportunities, monitor their implementation and expand initiatives that have proved effective.
These include introducing the Imdad programme into government contracts, building on its implementation in the energy sector. The programme aims to develop national talent, increase the employment of Omanis within contracts and broaden access to training and sustainable jobs.
The committee oversees the strategic direction of local content efforts, monitors performance and sets priorities to strengthen their contribution to economic growth and competitiveness.