11 hours ago
RO 11 billion allocated for development projects
MUSCAT: The Sultanate of Oman has made substantial progress in delivering its Tenth Five-Year Development Plan (2021–2025), with financial appropriations for development projects rising to RO 11 billion—an increase of 72 per cent from the original RO 6.4 billion allocation.
According to the Ministry of Economy, this increase reflects the government's push to enhance infrastructure, social services, and economic diversification in alignment with Oman Vision 2040. As of the end of Q1 2025, 95 per cent of the plan's 412 strategic programmes have been implemented, spanning 14 priority areas.
A major portion—around 44 per cent—of the RO 11 billion is directed toward comprehensive projects with economic and social impact across the governorates, including those under the Governorate Development Programme.
KEY SECTORS SEEING PROGRESS INCLUDE:
Health: All six programmes under the health priority are underway. These involve constructing hospitals and health centres, digital health transformation, and pharmaceutical sustainability.
Education and Youth: 65 of 70 education-related programmes have been launched, including talent development and digital transformation in schools. All youth development programmes are in force.
Social Welfare: 25 of 26 programmes are active, such as housing for low-income families, disability-inclusive sports initiatives, and financial sustainability in social protection systems.
Governorate and Urban Development: All 29 programmes are being executed, focusing on advanced public services, decentralised investment planning, and smart urban growth.
Private Sector and Investment: All 17 related programmes are operational. These include loan guarantees for SMEs, policies to elevate SMEs to mid-sized and large enterprises, and efficiency enhancements in oil and gas operations.
ICT and Digital Economy: All 20 programmes have commenced, including national digital strategies, smart cities platforms, broadband expansion, and digital skills training for over 8,200 beneficiaries through the 'Makin' initiative
Economic Leadership and Diversification: Nearly all programmes under these priorities are underway. Highlights include legislation reforms, startup support, and mining sector digitisation.
IN TERMS OF INFRASTRUCTURE, SEVERAL PROJECTS ARE NEARING COMPLETION:
Sultan Haitham City: Phase 1 is 80% complete; Phase 2 stands at 45%.
Master Plans: Urban master plans for Muscat, Salalah, Nizwa, and Haima are 25% complete.
Key Roads: Progress ranges from 25% to over 80% on roads including the Khasab-Dubai route, Adam-Thumrait dualisation, and Al-Nuzha Road upgrade.
In healthcare infrastructure, hospital projects show strong progress: Madha Hospital (86%), Suwaiq Hospital (77%), and Sultan Qaboos Hospital in Salalah (58%). A new infectious diseases lab is 91% complete.
The education sector is expanding, with 69 new schools under construction across the country, at roughly 50% completion.
Agricultural and fisheries development projects are also advancing: the Red Palm Weevil Control project is 80% complete, while tissue-cultured palm seedlings production has reached 95%. The Dibba and Kumzar fishing ports are 86% and 45% complete respectively.
Tourism and public service projects are progressing too. The Omani Botanical Garden, tourism marketing initiatives, and several parks and waterfront projects have reached above 90% completion.
In total, the Tenth Plan is driving a broad-based transformation in Oman, ensuring sustainable development, infrastructure modernisation, and an improved quality of life for citizens—while positioning the Sultanate for long-term economic resilience. — ONA
