2 days ago
Madayn attracts RO164mn in food sector investments
Muscat – Total investment in the food sector within Oman's industrial cities under the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (Madayn) has now exceeded RO164mn, marking a major milestone in supporting national food security and economic diversification.
Madayn currently hosts 98 food industry projects across its various industrial cities, occupying over 1.5mn square metres and providing employment for more than 3,600 workers. This achievement reflects Madayn's ongoing efforts, in cooperation with relevant bodies – chiefly the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources – to enhance local and foreign investment opportunities and attract high-quality projects that align with the sultanate's food security goals under Oman Vision 2040.
In a press statement, Khalid al Salehi, Director General of Marketing and Commercial Affairs at Madayn, said that 13 new food industry projects had been successfully localised during 2025, attracting investments exceeding RO14mn. These projects will cover more than 224,000 square metres and involve activities such as the production of vegetable oils, flour, tuna, bottled water, food packaging, and logistics services.
Salehi added that further efforts are under way to localise additional projects in this sector throughout 2025, with several contracts currently under review.
As part of its strategic focus on the food industry, Madayn continues to allocate dedicated plots within its industrial cities. Moreover, agricultural zones have been designated in Madayn's new industrial cities in Al Mudhaibi, Thumrait, and Al Suwaiq to support integrated agri-industrial development.
Among Madayn's key initiatives to support the sector is the Madayn Agriculture project, launched in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources. The initiative aims to establish greenhouses in selected industrial cities to promote local food production, foster entrepreneurship, enhance food security, and improve the trade balance by boosting exports and reducing imports.
In a step towards international collaboration, Madayn has also signed a memorandum of understanding with a South Korean company to develop a specialised food industry project in the Sultanate. The project will focus on establishing smart farms for cultivating Korean fruits, alongside launching a café centred around produce from the farms.
Salehi emphasised that Madayn has recently intensified its promotional efforts to attract investment in the food sector, both domestically and internationally, through targeted marketing campaigns and participation in specialised exhibitions.
The food industries sector is considered one of the key pillars of Oman's industrial base. It plays a vital role in the national food security system, complements other production chains, and is crucial for achieving economic diversification in line with Oman Vision 2040.
