Friday, May 03, 2024 | Shawwal 23, 1445 H
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EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

Opportunity Oman: Healthcare and pharmaceuticals sector

The forward-thinking stance adopted by current-day leadership in Oman is exemplified through their recent commitment toward funding healthcare facilities development projects. They received a notable increase in funding upwards of RO 1.4 billion, which rose 8% for the current year, according to the Ministry of Finance. These investments make clear the government's unshakable zeal towards strengthening healthcare services while simultaneously creating a conducive and supportive environment for potential investors.
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Globally and nationally, the Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals Industry plays an integral role in impacting socio-economic wellbeing incrementally. Key contributors include essential medical amenities, critical care unit provisions, and one-on-one medicinal therapies provided by niche experts leading modern-day medical breakthroughs that significantly elevate better lifestyles all around.


Creating such a positive impact comes with great responsibility, considering management ethics and sound management practices to ensure effective control must come into play. Unfortunately, corrupt handling can lead us astray, causing more harm than good over time if poorly monitored practices get neglected entirely.


By ensuring equal healthcare accessibility while controlling morally and ethically questionable practices, we can foster an environment that thrives on encouraging job creation within the industry via innovations in medicinal breakthroughs, ultimately contributing positively to society.


Global trends in the healthcare and pharmaceuticals industry


The healthcare and pharmaceutical industries are experiencing significant global changes and trends that offer remarkable opportunities for national economies to capitalize on. Among the observed transformations are technological advancements, such as AI applications in drug discovery, research and innovative medical devices improving diagnosis and patient-care quality and has rendered information widely available for all


Additionally, the ongoing improvement in healthcare has led to the gradual growth of the elderly population and the rise of chronic disease cases are fueling entrepreneurship-driven research, intellectual property creation and increased demand in long-term care and palliative opportunities.


Progressive countries that prioritize investments within the healthcare-pharmaceuticals sectors foster economic growth, improved public health outcomes, and job creation possibilities which accordingly impact progress of Human Development Indicators (HDI). Investing in cutting-edge therapies and promoting collaborations with academic institutions, consultancy services and subject matter experts, which support the optimization of institutional infrastructures both tangible and intangible will help achieve the goals of entrepreneurship promotion and international leadership status attainment.


The healthcare sector & pharmaceutical industry in Oman offers ample sources of investment opportunities within its dynamic healthcare sector, welcoming foreign investors alongside regional and local counterparts. The emphasis on improving its infrastructure while promoting natural health solutions makes this industry incredibly alluring to would-be savers. Hence, it is not surprising that it appears so enticingly within various financial portfolios worldwide.


The forward-thinking stance adopted by current-day leadership in Oman is exemplified through their recent commitment toward funding healthcare facilities development projects. They received a notable increase in funding upwards of RO 1.4 billion, which rose 8% for the current year, according to the Ministry of Finance. These investments make clear the government's unshakable zeal towards strengthening healthcare services while simultaneously creating a conducive and supportive environment for potential investors.


The healthcare sector is thriving in Oman, as evidenced by continuously mounting expenditures, which reached RO 3.12 billion this year (approximately 4.5% of GDP). This illustrates an uptick in demand for high-quality medical services, along with emerging prospects worth considering by investors wishing to tap into this growing market trend.


The emphasis laid on maintaining one's wellbeing naturally also holds immense significance here; hence, traditional and complimentary medicinal practices such as herbal and alternative medicine are becoming increasingly popular amongst citizens too. To promote this further, the Omani government has developed an extensive database of medicinal plants native to Oman, known as the "Omani Medicinal Plants Database." Within it, one can find a complete list of indigenous herbs, as well as their traditional uses for treating a range of ailments, creating promising options for individuals to invest in.


Additionally, focus on elderly care has been a prime concern after Covid-19, leading to increased demand on long term, hospice and palliative care options; taking into consideration the touristic nature of Oman and capitalizing on the medical tourism status of Oman among the neighboring markets accordingly positioning Oman as a gateway to three different continents and an enticing opportunity for serious investors.


It is essential to consider that Oman offers an advantageous site in terms of strategic healthcare investment opportunities logistically. The country's placement at the junction of Asia, Africa, and Europe provides convenient access to regional markets easily accessible by investors. Thus, presenting an excellent prospect for focused investment in Oman's thriving healthcare sector, viewed as a foremost hub for medical tourism, catering primarily to neighboring countries where high-quality yet affordable healthcare services draw clients seeking such facilities outside their own borders more cost-effectively.


Henceforth, it can be highly profitable for investors to consider targeting the country's thriving healthcare domain. Firstly, investors in Oman enjoy benefits such as tax exemptions, through which businesses pay no taxes on invested capital gains over time, alongside other fiscal perks, such as repatriation of earned profits without additional levies from regulatory authorities.


Secondly, "Oman encouraging private sector participation" reflects one of many policy changes aimed at drawing attention from seasoned investors by making it easy for them to collaborate with domestic operators, according to the Ministry of Commerce, Industry & Investment Promotion. This emphasis on building state-of-the-art infrastructure and other measures related to the healthcare industry boosts its attractiveness to potential investors in Oman.


In summary, investing within Oman's burgeoning healthcare sector presents an attractive proposition for regional and international investors alike. With a determined government focus on improving healthcare infrastructure while promoting natural health solutions within their populace, combined with a geo-strategic positioning that bolsters ease-of-access across neighboring regions, makes it one of the most accessible markets globally, providing robust long-term returns on any invested capital. With generous tax exemptions enabled by a promising legal framework, alongside stable policies actively attracting foreign capital investment upwards, there is no doubt that prospective business owners can partake in this burgeoning industry with confidence.


The healthcare sector in Oman is undergoing rapid growth, making it an attractive investment opportunity. This is largely due to the government encouraging investment policies to enhance healthcare services, investors are offered tax benefits, financial grants, and subsidies to attract local, regional, and foreign investors.


Driven by factors such as population growth, changing demographics, and increasing healthcare awareness, the pharmaceutical market in Oman is expanding steadily. Investing in the local production of pharmaceuticals presents a significant opportunity for investors to meet this rising demand. This information is presented by the Pharmaceuticals Research and Manufacturers of America, as reported in 2021.


Oman has implemented favorable regulations and policies to promote the local production of healthcare and pharmaceutical products. Among these measures are streamlined licensing processes, quality standards that ensure patient safety, and protection for intellectual property rights—all serving to create a conducive environment for investors aiming to tap into this growing sector. These regulatory developments are highlighted by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, as recent as 2022.


The Sultanate of Oman has demonstrated in recent years a commendable commitment by investing heavily in building a dependable healthcare infrastructure that includes modern hospitals, clinics, and research facilities. These critical facilities constantly require healthcare and pharmaceutical products, presenting local producers with a viable and sustainable market.


Due to its high-quality medical services and advanced treatments, Oman has been attracting medical tourists from neighboring countries. As this trend continues to surge upward, it unlocks additional opportunities for investors in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors. Through local product manufacturing endeavors, they can capture this heightened demand.


Healthcare spending has continuously increased under the Oman government's watchful eye as part of a broader effort towards improving access to high-quality medical services throughout the country. This strategic move comes in response to mounting healthcare needs among residents, which few can ignore in recent times. By doing so, it projects an exciting avenue for potential investments within domestic healthcare and pharmaceutical productions that promise substantial returns for stakeholders alike, as highlighted by comments released by the Ministry of Finance (2022).


In conclusion, Oman, with its strategic location, stable policies, and supportive government initiatives, presents a fertile ground for investors seeking to capitalize on the booming healthcare and pharmaceutical sector. The country's emphasis on cutting-edge medical technologies, research, and development, coupled with a thriving medical tourism industry, opens up a myriad of opportunities for business owners and investors alike. By seizing these opportunities and aligning with Oman's vision for the healthcare industry, investors can not only realize attractive returns on investment but also contribute to the improved well-being of the nation's populace.


yousufh@omaninvestgateway.com


www.omaninvestgateway.com


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