Saturday 25 / October / 2025
Muscat: South Al Sharqiyah Governorate witnessed notable growth in trade, industry, and investment promotion during the second quarter of 2025, according to data released by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion. The figures reflect continued vitality across economic sectors in the governorate’s various wilayats.
Khalid bin Hamad Al Saadi, Director of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion in South Al Sharqiyah, affirmed that statistical indicators show sustained economic momentum, particularly in construction, contracting, and small and medium-sized industries, which are expanding significantly in the wilayats of Sur, Jalan Bani Bu Ali, and Masirah. In a statement to the Oman News Agency, he noted that South Al Sharqiyah is considered a promising economic region due to its strategic location and industrial, tourism, and blue economy assets. The ministry is working to create an attractive investment environment for both local and foreign investors by streamlining procedures and offering integrated digital services.
He added that the department aims to strengthen engagement with entrepreneurs and investors through support, promotion, and awareness programs, contributing to the sustainability of commercial and industrial activities and diversifying local income sources in line with the goals of Oman Vision 2040.
Al Saadi explained that 348 new commercial registrations were recorded in the governorate during the second quarter of this year, bringing the cumulative total to 20,044 registrations by the end of the first half of 2025.
Construction and contracting topped the list of licensed sectors, with 300 new licenses issued in Q2 2025, compared to 91 in the same period of 2024—an increase of over 229 percent. This surge reflects the growing pace of urban and construction development in the wilayats of Sur, Jalan Bani Bu Ali, Jalan Bani Bu Hassan, Al Kamil Wal Wafi, and Masirah.
The ministry’s data also indicated that 3,617 commercial licenses were issued in the governorate during Q2 2025, raising the cumulative total to 51,596 licenses by mid-year. Additionally, 3,227 automatic licenses were issued in Q2, bringing the cumulative total to 53,865 automatic licenses by the end of the first half of 2025.
In the industrial sector, 850 industrial license applications were submitted in Q2 2025, bringing the cumulative total to approximately 18,990 licenses—demonstrating steady industrial activity despite economic shifts.
The governorate also recorded 23 new foreign investment registrations during Q2 2025, with 63 investment licenses issued—representing 1.54 percent of the total licenses issued across Oman during the quarter. This underscores the governorate’s active role in attracting new projects in both production and service sectors.
Looking ahead, South Al Sharqiyah is expected to see increased construction, tourism, and industrial projects in the second half of 2025, with growing interest in investment in Masirah and coastal areas. Expansion in fisheries and logistics-related activities is also anticipated, further solidifying the governorate’s position as a key economic driver in Oman’s comprehensive development framework.
