OIA Launches ‘Hamat’ Programme: What It Means for Investors and Business Growth in Oman’s Socioeconomic Landscape
MUSCAT: The Oman Investment Authority (OIA) has launched the ‘Hamat’ programme in collaboration with the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers, as part of the ‘Idea Makers’ initiative under the ‘Together Forward’ forum. This strategic initiative aims to strengthen Oman’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, foster innovation, and invest in national capabilities by engaging Omani youth, residents, startups, SMEs, innovators, and entrepreneurs to develop impactful projects addressing challenges faced by OIA companies.
The programme is structured around three core tracks:
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Governorates Track – Focused on enhancing Oman’s tourism sector by promoting the creation of innovative tourism experiences. This track supports the cultural and economic development of each governorate, contributing to sustainable local growth.
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Industry Challenges Track – Concentrates on solving real-world problems encountered by companies in critical sectors including energy, logistics, and tourism.
- Academic Track – Targets students, researchers, and academics, encouraging collaboration between academic institutions, private sector firms, and entrepreneurs. This track aims to bridge the gap between scientific research and market needs by fostering practical, innovative solutions.
The programme will unfold over four phases:
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Phase One (January 1–27, 2026): Orientation tours across Oman’s governorates to introduce the programme and its challenges. Participants will receive expert guidance in developing and submitting ideas through workshops conducted by OIA companies and entrepreneurship ecosystem specialists.
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Phase Two (February 1–5, 2026): An intensive bootcamp covering problem framing, solution development, business model design, and prototyping fundamentals.
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Phase Three (February 8–9, 2026): Presentation and recognition of shortlisted projects at the ‘Together Forward’ forum, highlighting their contributions to the national economy.
- Phase Four: Up to nine months of incubation support for outstanding ideas, helping transform them into viable ventures with significant national impact.
OIA invites youth to participate by registering at hamat.oia.gov.om. A detailed programme guide is available, outlining the tracks and challenges. Participants can choose the challenge that best matches their interests, attend orientation sessions and workshops, and submit their project ideas for a chance to compete in the bootcamp and ultimately present their solutions to a judging panel.
Special Analysis by Omanet | Navigate Oman’s Market
The launch of the ‘Hamat’ programme by Oman Investment Authority signals a strategic push to tap into local innovation and youth potential, driving sustainable development across sectors like tourism, energy, and logistics. For businesses, this creates new avenues for collaboration and innovation-driven growth, while smart investors should closely watch emerging startups and projects gaining incubation support, presenting early-stage investment opportunities aligned with national economic priorities. Entrepreneurs must focus on solving real-world challenges through innovative solutions to secure participation and support via this structured, multi-phase initiative.
