MUSCAT: The Sultanate of Oman has advanced steadily towards building a diversified and competitive economy, underpinned by legislative reform, digital transformation and targeted investment promotion.
Between 2020 and 2024, non-oil exports rose from RO 3.4 billion to RO 6.2 billion, reflecting a 21.9 per cent growth rate. By 2025, non-oil exports reached RO 6.885 billion, up 10.5 per cent year-on-year. Manufacturing value added increased from RO 2.4 billion in 2020 to RO 4.1 billion in 2024, while wholesale and retail trade rose to RO 3.3 billion over the same period.
Cumulative foreign direct investment (FDI) more than doubled from RO 14.2 billion in 2020 to around RO 30 billion in 2024. By the end of the third quarter of 2025, FDI exceeded RO 30.9 billion, up 16.2 per cent compared to the same period of 2024. Manufacturing FDI alone reached RO 2.7 billion, marking an 11.1 per cent increase.
Mubarak bin Mohammed al Duhani, Director General of Planning at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, said the results reflect the effectiveness of integrated financial, legislative and digital policies aligned with Oman Vision 2040.
Digitalisation has been central to reform. Nine integrated electronic platforms now serve investors and entrepreneurs, including Oman Business, Invest in Oman and Exports Oman. More than 700,000 automated licences were issued between 2020 and 2025, alongside over 2.8 million electronic transactions. Active commercial registrations stood at approximately 446,000.
On the regulatory front, 49 decisions were issued to modernise the business environment, covering e-commerce, marketing practices, product identity and foreign investment. The National E-Commerce Plan (2022–2027) reached 83 per cent completion by 2025.
Industrial performance strengthened in 2025, with manufacturing contributing RO 3.879 billion to GDP, up 7.2 per cent year-on-year. Industrial employment rose to 248,000, while foreign investment in the sector increased by 24.6 per cent to RO 3.49 billion.
Oman’s global standing improved in parallel. Its ranking in the Index of Economic Freedom advanced from 76th in 2020 to 58th in 2025, while the Global Innovation Index ranking improved from 84th to 69th.
Collectively, these indicators signal sustained momentum in diversification, reinforced by regulatory clarity, competitive standards and expanding digital infrastructure. — ONA
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