Muscat: Oman has entered into agreements for 100 new industrial projects, with a total investment nearing OMR1.5 billion. These projects span various sectors, including renewable energy, food and medical industries, air conditioning equipment, construction and building, as well as metals and plastics, and are located in several industrial, economic, and free zones.
The Sultanate of Oman, through the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, marked Oman Industry Day on February 9, an annual event dedicated to celebrating the industrial sector.
This year's theme, “Oman at the Centre of Global Supply Chains,” underscores the Royal commitment to this sector, highlighting its crucial role in promoting economic diversification and growth.
The event was held under the patronage of HH Sayyid Dr. Fahad bin Al Julanda Al Said, Vice Chancellor of Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), and attended by Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, along with several undersecretaries. Numerous officials and business leaders from the industrial sector and Omani companies were also present.
Dr. Saleh bin Said Masan, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion for Commerce and Industry, noted that recent data from the National Center for Statistics and Information (NCSI) shows an 8.5 percent increase in the output of the converting sector, reaching OMR2.686 billion by the end of September 2024 at constant prices compared to the same period in 2023.
In his address, he highlighted that the Global Competitive Industrial Performance Report from the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) ranks Oman third in the Arab world and 53rd globally, reflecting significant advancements in industrial competitiveness over recent years.
He stated that the industrial sector successfully met the objectives outlined in the Industrial Strategy 2040 for the years 2022 and 2023, with a target contribution of OMR3.44 billion aimed at enhancing the sector's impact on the GDP for 2022.
This sector experienced a 19 percent growth from 2020 to 2023, demonstrating ongoing advancements toward the strategy's goals, attributed to the collaborative efforts of both public and private entities, he noted.
Additionally, the industrial sector has created approximately 26,000 job opportunities for Omanis since 2020, marking a 79 percent increase compared to 2020, which underscores its significant contribution to bolstering the national workforce, Dr. Saleh remarked.
Dr. Saleh also highlighted that non-oil commodity exports saw a substantial rise, reaching around OMR7.5 billion by the end of 2023, up from OMR3.4 billion at the end of 2020, indicating robust growth in the industrial sector's performance in the Sultanate of Oman.
Faisal bin Abdullah Al Rowas, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), emphasized that the industrial sector is poised for significant growth, sustainability, and the empowerment of the private sector in Oman.
He noted that the OCCI is committed to supporting the private sector by identifying challenges and attracting investments, as well as enhancing the competitiveness of Omani products in both local and international markets.
During the event, three memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were signed.
The first memorandum of understanding, established with the International Centre for Industrial Transformation in Singapore, focuses on promoting and facilitating the adoption of Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies in factories. The second MoU, signed with the Gulf Organization for Industrial Consulting, is aimed at providing consultancy services for the establishment of a center dedicated to advanced automation. Additionally, a strategic partnership was announced with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) through a third MoU.
During the ceremony, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion introduced the national product identity certificate service as part of the Made in Oman platform, which seeks to enhance the visibility of Omani industries and showcase national products.
The launch of the advanced automation center was also highlighted, with the objective of enhancing industrial capabilities to position Omani industries as leaders in digital transformation.
Furthermore, a program was initiated to train certified assessors using the Siri methodology, ensuring that assessments are performed accurately and professionally by equipping assessors with the latest tools and techniques for evaluating facilities' readiness for industrial transformation.
The event also featured the announcement of the Certificate Verification Programme (Professional Accreditation), designed to provide companies with a dependable service for verifying academic and professional credentials. Additionally, the Ministry unveiled the Industrial Sector Enablers Guide, aimed at helping stakeholders identify and leverage opportunities within the industrial sector in the Sultanate of Oman.
In a related presentation, Abdulaziz bin Ahmed Al Qasmi, Head of the Local Content Office at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, showcased the achievements and contributions of the industry in the Sultanate of Oman.
Dr. Ahmed bin Khalfan Al Badawi, who serves as the Director of the Industrial Strategy Implementation and Evaluation Department at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, delivered a visual presentation regarding the Industrial Observatory and its future goals.
Anfal Zaher Al Afani, the Head of the Markets and Trade Facilitation Department at the Oman Logistics Center, followed with a visual presentation focused on methodologies for improving supply chains. She emphasized the importance of connectivity and integration in enhancing supply chain efficiency and reducing costs.
The ceremony also featured a dialogue session centered on the significance of supply chains, which included contributions from various specialists in both the public and private sectors.
Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef, the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, engaged in a discussion with Omani industrialists. This session explored strategies for enhancing local content and underscored the critical role of strengthening supply chains within the industrial sector.
Participants shared insights on the challenges and opportunities facing Omani companies, while also discussing ways to foster collaboration among different stakeholders to promote sustainable growth in the industry.
Gerd Muller, the Director-General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), praised Oman’s leadership in sustainable manufacturing. He noted that these initiatives demonstrate the country’s commitment to advancing economic and social development in alignment with UNIDO’s objectives, asserting that Oman has shown its capability to make significant strides toward establishing a sustainable industrial sector, positioning it as a model for the region.
Jesmond Hong, Chief Operating Officer of the International Centre for Industrial Transformation, expressed the centre's eagerness to enhance collaboration with the Sultanate of Oman. He emphasized the goal of driving industrial transformation and supporting the manufacturing sector in realizing a successful future.
The centre operates as a non-profit, independent entity dedicated to advancing manufacturing transformation by fostering partnerships between the public and private sectors.
