Surge in Commercial Activity: How Economic Expansion Affects Your Business Opportunities in Oman
MUSCAT: Oman experienced a notable increase in commercial and economic activities across its governorates in the second quarter of 2025, attributed to a business-friendly environment fostering competitiveness and investment.
The Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion reported that between April and June 2025, 12,043 commercial registrations were issued. Licensed commercial activities rose dramatically to 73,029, up from just 17,494 in the same quarter of 2024, marking an impressive 306.87% growth and underscoring a swift acceleration in economic engagement.
Muscat and South Al Batinah Governorates led in business registrations, with Muscat recording 6,739 registrations and South Al Batinah 1,171, representing a 70.2% increase. The Ministry noted that foreign investment played a significant role, contributing 3,783 registrations, with Muscat alone accounting for 86.2% of these licenses.
The Ministry also observed a rise in the cancellation of commercial registrations, totaling 12,218 compared to 3,963 in the same quarter of 2024—a rise of over 208.3%. Muscat Governorate again topped this count with 4,006 cancellations, followed by North Al Batinah and Dhofar Governorates.
Mubarak bin Mohammed al Dohani, Director General of Planning at the Ministry, emphasized that these figures reflect the resilience and vitality of Oman’s economic landscape, supported by adaptive regulatory frameworks and advanced digital infrastructure. He noted that the Ministry continuously monitors these indicators to inform strategic planning and advance the objectives of Oman Vision 2040.
Al Dohani reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to improving the business environment and fostering investment across all sectors in alignment with national economic diversification goals and efforts to enhance public-private partnerships.
Engineer Muammar bin Zahran al Abri, Director of the Information, Data, and Statistics Department at the Ministry, remarked that the improved analytical tools and interactive reporting systems have significantly bolstered insight into commercial performance, thereby enhancing government planning efficiency.
Special Analysis by Omanet | Navigate Oman’s Market
The substantial 306.87% increase in commercial activities indicates a robust business-friendly environment in Oman, creating ripe opportunities for innovative entrepreneurs and foreign investments. However, the rising number of cancellations signals potential volatility, urging smart investors to conduct thorough market assessments before entering. Forward-thinking businesses should leverage strategic planning in alignment with Oman Vision 2040 to capitalize on emerging trends and partnerships.
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