SALALAH: The Governorate of Dhofar on Sunday organised a media briefing at Sultan Qaboos Youth Compound for Culture and Entertainment in Salalah under the theme 'Dhofar Flourishes with You.'
The event was held in the presence of HH Sayyid Marwan bin Turki Al Said, Governor of Dhofar, and with broad participation comprising over 150 officials from government entities and media representatives.
The event featured an interactive experience across five main stations, showcasing the outcomes of the first year of implementation of the governorate's comprehensive strategy. This was achieved through highlighting performance indicators and achievements realised across the six development pillars, alongside presenting plans and projects related to enhancing the governorate's competitive advantages and supporting sustainable development pathways.
In the Human Resources Development Pillar, the governorate presented its efforts to empower national competencies and align training outputs with the labour market needs in the governorate, particularly in the fields of renewable energy, artificial intelligence and logistics services.
This was in addition to achieving three awards in the Digital Excellence Award 2025 and the ranking of Dhofar University among the top 50 Arab universities and top 250 Asian universities for 2026.
The media briefing also revealed the employment of 7,985 citizens in the private sector during 2025, the implementation of training programmes linked to employment, as well as the employment of 101 persons with disabilities.
In the Economic Diversification Pillar, the governorate unveiled a package of strategic investments and projects that have strengthened Dhofar's position as a promising economic destination. Accumulated investments in Salalah Free Zone reached RO 5.1 billion, while OQ Basic Industries recorded a net profit of RO 47.7 million, representing a growth rate of 18 per cent.
The event also highlighted investments in the medical sector exceeding RO 55 million, the inauguration of Salalah Data Center (Ooredoo) to support digital transformation and the business environment, as well as food security projects including the offering of 67 investment opportunities, an investment project to cultivate one million olive trees with a total value exceeding RO 15 million, in addition to the largest meat and poultry investment valued at RO 57.7 million. Furthermore, the implementation of a project to establish a cheese production facility using camel milk in the Wilayat of Rakhyout was presented, along with the commencement of construction work on the integrated agricultural product collection and marketing centre in Al Najd, with an annual capacity of 50,000 tonnes.
In the tourism sector, the event reviewed the laying of the foundation stone for an integrated tourism complex valued at RO 80 million, the opening of the Sea of Oman Resort in the Wilayat of Mirbat, in addition to the signing of contracts for the development of the nature reserves (Jabal Samhan, Khor Al Maghsil, and Wadi Dawkah), thereby enhancing the balance between economic development and the preservation of natural resources.
The media briefing touched on the completion of 25 strategic projects and initiatives, including the inauguration of the 'Sustainable Business Environment' activities, the launch of the Golden Residency Programme for investors, alongside the automation of services through 'Oman Business' platform. Meanwhile, the governorate enhanced its industrial readiness by signing a natural gas supply agreement for Salalah Free Zone and hosting the 'Middle East Transport Conference and Exhibition 2025,' which focused on the digitalisation of supply chains and smart ports.
The Social and Cultural Development Pillar addressed the most prominent health, social, and cultural initiatives, including the success of Salalah Cardiac Surgery Center in performing precise valve replacement procedures without surgical intervention, the registration of Omani frankincense as a global geographical indication with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), alongside the implementation of 30 social projects and initiatives, and the signing of 24 agreements to develop services for persons with disabilities and enhance voluntary and developmental initiatives.
In the Environmental Sustainability Pillar, the governorate presented its efforts in environmental protection and biodiversity conservation, having achieved first place in the Arab world in the 'Environmental Health and Safety' category within the Arab Cities Organization Awards.
This was alongside the implementation of 12 projects and initiatives, including the dispersal of 10 million seed balls and 3 billion grass seeds to restore vegetation cover, the establishment of a marine buffer zone reserve around the Al Halaniyat Islands, and the opening of the first mobile veterinary clinic to protect the Arabian leopard.
Meanwhile, Dhofar Municipality reviewed the achievements of its 2040 strategic plan, which focuses on delivering more efficient municipal services through four core pillars, namely governance, innovation and sustainability, community partnerships, and infrastructure development. The plan has seen the implementation of 39 development projects up to 2025, including the development of 21 roads, four water security projects, and 16 investment projects, in addition to the expansion of the green belt to exceed 2.2 million square metres, encompassing 12 parks and 55 natural recreational areas.
The Municipality confirmed its readiness for Khareef Dhofar (monsoon) season 2026 through the implementation of integrated operational and service plans, and the organisation of more than 125 diverse events and programmes, including 'Ateen Square' in its new design, the 'Return of the Past' event, and the 'Souq Area' project, thereby contributing to enhancing the tourism experience and raising the governorate's readiness to receive approximately one million visitors during the season.
His Highness the Governor of Dhofar and the attendees viewed an informational exhibition presenting the achievements realised across the six pillars of the Dhofar Governorate Comprehensive Strategy.
The event is part of the governorate's approach based on enhancing direct communication with the community and showcasing the most prominent achievements realised within the Dhofar Governorate Comprehensive Strategy and its operational plans, alongside highlighting future projects and developmental directions aimed at achieving the targets of Oman Vision 2040, while confirming the governorate's readiness and early preparations to receive Khareef Dhofar season 2026. — ONA
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