
Manufacturing, FDI and exports drive Oman's industrial momentum
Non-oil exports grew 7.2% between January and May 2025 to RO2.7bn. The United Arab Emirates remained the top importer of Omani goods with RO485mn, up 22.9%, followed by Saudi Arabia at RO451mn, up 34.9%, and India with RO280mn, up 38.9%.
H E Dr Saleh bin Saeed Masan, Undersecretary for Commerce and Industry, said the figures reflect the impact of policies to build a resilient and competitive industrial base, in line with Vision 2040 and Industrial Strategy 2040. He highlighted the role of incentive plans and efforts to improve services in industrial zones.
Khalid bin Salim al Qassabi, Director General of Industry, noted that Omani factories managed to expand production despite global market volatility and supply chain pressures. He attributed this to public-private sector collaboration and reduced operational costs, which led to higher project activity and improved Omanisation rates in industrial zones. MoCIIP continues to support initiatives focused on local value chains and broadening the national production base.
Food processing firms – including milling and beverage producers – posted higher profits, driven by operational efficiency and increased demand across local and regional markets.
Investments were concentrated in sectors identified as strategic – renewable energy technologies aligned with Oman's green economy goals; mineral production and exports; and food and medical industries supporting national security.
© Apex Press and Publishing Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Arabian Business
10 hours ago
- Arabian Business
Abu Dhabi's IHC to invest $500mn in reinsurance premiums with RIQ
RIQ, the AI-native reinsurance platform launched earlier this year by IHC, in partnership with BlackRock and Lunate, has entered into a preferred reinsurance partnership with IHC, anchored by a targeted allocation of over US$500 million in risk coverage within the coming decade. The partnership represents IHC's commitment to pioneering intelligent capital deployment and transformative risk transfer solutions. By leveraging RIQ's AI-powered infrastructure, IHC aims to enhance the resilience and operational agility of its group companies. The collaboration also aligns with Abu Dhabi's ambition to lead globally in structured reinsurance and financial innovation. 'A strategic investment' Syed Basar Shueb, CEO of IHC, called it 'a strategic investment in the future of resilient infrastructure and industrial agility'. 'This partnership reflects IHC's conviction in the transformative power of intelligent capital and data-driven risk transfer. By aligning with RIQ, we are catalysing the next chapter of Abu Dhabi's evolution as a global center for reinsurance innovation. This is not just a financial commitment, it is a strategic investment in the future of resilient infrastructure and industrial agility,' Shueb said. Headquartered in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), RIQ will offer a full suite of reinsurance solutions, working closely with IHC and its portfolio companies to structure capital-efficient coverage across complex Specialty and Property and Casualty (P&C) risk classes. Leveraging advanced data modelling and AI-augmented underwriting, the platform is purpose-built to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving risk environment. Seeking regulatory approvals The company is currently in the process of getting regulatory approvals with the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of ADGM, as it moves toward formal authorisation as a reinsurer. Final preparations are also underway for the execution of the reinsurance transaction between IHC and RIQ, which remains subject to regulatory clearance. This transaction will mark a foundational step in RIQ's operational rollout. Mark Wilson, CEO of RIQ, added: 'We are proud to collaborate with IHC in this milestone partnership. RIQ's platform is engineered to deliver intelligent risk solutions at pace, fusing advanced analytics, underwriting discipline, and strategic capital. This announcement marks a defining step in our mission to reshape global reinsurance from Abu Dhabi outward.' RIQ has promised more updates in the coming months, as it executes on its global buy-and-build strategy. With over US$1 billion in equity commitments from IHC and strategic partners BlackRock and Lunate, RIQ aims to ultimately write US$10 billion per year.


Khaleej Times
11 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Want to become a finfluencer? Applications for financial literacy programme open
Registration is now open for the Youth Financial Advisors Programme, a four-month intensive training targeting UAE nationals aged 25-32 years old to become certified financial advisors with deep knowledge in financial literacy. Launched by the Federal Youth Authority in partnership with the Central Bank of UAE and Securities and Commodities Authority, the programme comes as financial literacy among UAE residents stands at just 30.7 per cent, significantly below other international players. "Promoting financial literacy among young people is a primary element of our national strategy," said Dr Sultan bin Saif Al Neyadi, UAE Minister of State for Youth Affairs, in a statement. "Enhancing participants' knowledge and capabilities is fundamental to ensure their ability to manage finances, laying foundations for a stable future." Recent studies indicate that 50 per cent of UAE residents spend more than they earn, while over 60 per cent are in debt, primarily due to credit card and personal loan expenses. Young Emiratis, in particular, are facing the brunt of it with males spending around Dh2,000 monthly and females Dh1,656 — significantly higher than their expatriate peers at Dh1,152 and Dh606, respectively. The Youth Financial Advisors Programme addresses these challenges through seven core modules, including financial literacy fundamentals, monetary economics, entrepreneurial finance, and investment strategies. Participants will complete 30+ hours of education over four months, featuring hands-on workshops, financial institution visits, and hackathons designed to inspire innovative solutions. Khaled Mohamed Balama, governor of the Central Bank of UAE, emphasised the initiative's importance, noting in a statement that 'the programme reflects ongoing commitment to train young Emirati professionals, enabling them to actively contribute to establishing a knowledge-based economy." Requirements and how to apply Eligibility requires UAE nationality, university degrees in business, finance, economics, or law, plus a minimum of one year of relevant experience. Candidates without specified degrees need three years of financial services experience. Strong communication skills and Arabic-English proficiency are mandatory. Upon completion, craduates will receive three credentials: a Federal Youth Authority certificate of completion, registration as a Financial Influencer by the SCA, and a Central Bank Financial Literacy Trainer certification. They'll then conduct volunteer training sessions 'to spread the message and build a national network of qualified financial consultants'. Applications are being accepted now through the Federal Youth Authority website, with selection based on academic qualifications, experience, and demonstrated commitment to community financial education.


Al Etihad
14 hours ago
- Al Etihad
Abu Dhabi attracted $596 million in greenfield FDI in H1 2025: Emirates NBD Report
2 Aug 2025 12:42 A. SREENIVASA REDDY (ABU DHABI)Abu Dhabi attracted 42 greenfield Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) projects worth $595.8 million in the first half of 2025, while the UAE as a whole registered 613 greenfield projects drawing capital inflows of $5.42 billion, according to a research report released by Emirates capital's FDI performance complements broader national trends, with Dubai continuing to lead the pack, attracting 526 projects valued at $3.03 billion. Sharjah came in second with 24 projects worth $1.47 billion—remarkable for the high average project size—followed by Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), which drew six projects totalling $188.6 million.A significant component of the UAE's FDI momentum is the establishment of 34 new regional headquarters, representing a combined investment of $386.1 report said this 'underscores the UAE's growing importance as a regional business hub', as more multinational corporations view the UAE as a launchpad for operations across the Middle East and beyond.'In H1 2025, the convergence of technology and sustainability emerged as a key investment theme,' Emirates NBD noted in its communications sector—particularly data centres and AI infrastructure—garnered $359.5 million across 16 projects. Notable developments include Microsoft's partnership with Core42, a G42 subsidiary, to build sovereign cloud and AI infrastructure aligned with Abu Dhabi's 2025–2027 strategy to become the world's first AI-native May, G42 announced Stargate UAE, a 5GW AI data centre campus involving global technology heavyweights such as OpenAI, Nvidia, Cisco, SoftBank, and Oracle. The first phase, comprising 200MW, is scheduled for delivery by zones accounted for $1.62 billion—or nearly 30%—of total FDI inflows in H1 2025, despite hosting just 17.5% of total projects. This reveals their attractiveness for large-scale the charge was Jebel Ali Free Zone with $474.1 million in investments, followed by Dubai South with $280.9 million, Al Hamra Industrial Zone ($127.1 million), and Dubai Industrial City ($114.4 million). Dubai International Financial Centre attracted $89 million in financial services projects.'This concentration of high-value investments underscores free zones' appeal for capital-intensive operations,' the Emirates NBD report said.'Free zones' 100% foreign ownership, tax exemptions, streamlined licensing, and world-class infrastructure continue to prove particularly attractive for manufacturing, technology, and logistics sectors,' the report business services led in project count with 183 projects, primarily in professional services, consulting, and waste management. Software and IT services followed with 108 projects, while financial services recorded 65. Transportation and warehousing secured 42, and industrial equipment attracted 39 the real estate sector saw only 29 greenfield FDI projects in H1 2025, it led in capital investment, drawing $1.05 billion—largely driven by a $953 million mixed-use development in Sharjah by Kuwait Real Estate Company and IFA Hotels. Other notable investments included a $346.6 million polyethylene film recycling plant in Sharjah by Italy's Greenthesis Group and the UAE's BEEAH, and a $127.1 million adhesives facility by H.B. Fuller in RAK's Al Hamra Industrial activities attracted $1.06 billion in FDI across just 22 projects, indicating a strategic focus on high-value sectors such as automotive, chemicals, and advanced materials. Construction projects, limited to just three, drew a significant $1.12 report also noted strong activity in sales and marketing operations, which accounted for 217 projects with comparatively modest capital inflows of $500 UK emerged as the leading source of greenfield FDI projects in H1 2025 with 120 projects, followed closely by India with 101 and the US with 94. However, in terms of capital investment value, Kuwait led with $955.7 million from just three projects—almost entirely driven by the $953 million investment by Kuwait Real Estate Company in Sharjah project. The US ranked second with $889.5 million, while India came third with $677.9 million. China contributed $413.2 million across 16 projects, and Italy invested $387.6 million through 18 projects. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi