PDO to Invest RO 830,000 in Social Projects: Key Opportunities for Business Growth in Oman
MUSCAT — Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) has signed 11 funding agreements totaling approximately RO 830,000, reaffirming its commitment to sustainable development and national capacity building. These agreements cover key sectors including education, healthcare, community infrastructure, and environmental protection.
Eng. Mohammed bin Ali al Aghbari, PDO’s External Affairs, Government Relations and Communications Manager, emphasized the significance of these agreements, stating, “They underscore PDO’s dedication to creating long-term social value and fostering purposeful partnerships with national organisations. Our initiatives demonstrate a clear commitment to supporting societal progress and wellbeing, aligned with Oman Vision 2040 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030.”
Among the initiatives is a major environmental partnership with the Environment Authority to launch Oman’s first national soil testing programme, which will develop a soil code aimed at sustainable industrial planning and environmental conservation. PDO will also fund the Environmental Accelerator Programme, establishing Oman’s first centre for environmental and climate innovation. This centre will empower SMEs and startups to develop practical green solutions, advancing a knowledge-based, environmentally responsible economy.
To promote social development, PDO will support electrical inspector and electrical safety training at the University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS) in Al Musannah, helping to build a pool of nationally licensed inspectors. The company will also enhance sensory stimulation rooms at several Al Wafa centres to better support individuals with disabilities. Additionally, PDO is funding the fourth edition of the Green Schools National Programme, which will benefit 120 schools across Oman.
Further investments include co-funding the renovation of the Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Centre at UTAS Al Musannah and establishing fully equipped computer laboratories in three schools in the Al Wusta Governorate. These projects aim to strengthen digital learning environments and enhance research and technology skills among Omani youth.
PDO will also provide mobile planetariums to bring astronomy and space science experiences to students in nine governorates and supply mammogram equipment to improve early breast cancer detection services nationwide.
In addition, the company will invest in community infrastructure projects to enhance local quality of life. These include constructing a public park in Demeet, Wilayat of Shaleem, and on Al Hallaniyat Islands to serve nearby villages and promote healthier lifestyles, as well as providing mobile veterinary clinics to support livestock owners in Al Wusta.
The signing ceremony also celebrated the completion of 25 Social Investment projects in 2025, valued at over RO 9.5 million, marking another milestone in PDO’s sustained commitment to community development across Oman.
The event featured the graduation of 29 women from Banat Oman, PDO’s flagship social investment initiative launched in 2014 to empower women with skills, training, and confidence for successful workforce participation and community contribution.
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PDO’s extensive investment in sustainable development and national capacity building presents significant opportunities for businesses involved in education, healthcare, environmental innovation, and community infrastructure. Smart investors and entrepreneurs should consider aligning with PDO’s green and technology-driven initiatives, particularly in environmental sustainability and digital skills, to capitalize on Oman’s Vision 2040-driven economic diversification and social progress. However, there is a need to anticipate and manage risks related to evolving regulatory standards, especially those linked to environmental protection and industrial planning.
