SME Authority’s Land Grants: Unlocking New Opportunities for Omani Entrepreneurs and Investors
Omani SMEs Initiative: Annual Plan for 2026 Unveiled
MUSCAT: The Sultanate of Oman’s Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) has recently unveiled its 2026 Annual Plan, which aims to enhance the development of various governorates by utilizing their unique advantages. A key component of this strategy includes providing usufruct land rights to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and bolster developmental sectors. Additionally, the plan envisions the establishment of 100 ready-made factories within industrial zones.
Halima bint Rashid al Zaree, Chairperson of SMEDA, emphasized that the initiative to create ready-made factories is a significant collaboration involving multiple stakeholders, including Madayn. The first set, consisting of 10 ready-made factories, will be inaugurated next week in Nizwa. Future expansions are planned for locations such as Al Rusayl, Al Suwaiq, and Musandam, targeting a total of 100 factories across various governorates.
As of December 2022, SMEDA had granted 395 usufruct land approvals to SMEs with an entrepreneurship card specifically for industrial use. Furthermore, 877 plots have been made available through the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning’s Tatweer platform. SMEDA offers a suite of incentives for entrepreneurs, including affordable annual fees adapted to SME needs, grace periods for project completion aligned with specific business plans, as well as prioritized access to financing, marketing, training, and other supportive resources.
Alsayyid Mazen bin Saif bin Hamad al Busaidi, Deputy Chairperson of SMEDA, noted that SMEs play a crucial role in driving employment, fostering innovation, and promoting sustainable development. He cited inspiring examples from young Omani entrepreneurs. The provision of usufruct land rights enables startups to allocate capital towards infrastructure, facilitates economic diversification, and provides access to investment opportunities that were previously restricted due to high land costs, in line with Oman Vision 2040.
This usufruct land service is available to SMEs with an entrepreneurship card for industrial use across most governorates, featuring a nominal annual fee. Benefits include flexible fee structures, grace periods for project completion, and preferential access to SMEDA’s facilities and services.
Special Analysis by Omanet | Navigate Oman’s Market
The 2026 Annual Plan from SMEDA signals a transformative opportunity for businesses in Oman, especially SMEs, by enhancing access to land and resources that can drive innovation and economic diversification. Investors and entrepreneurs should seize the moment to engage with the upcoming network of ready-made factories, which presents avenues for collaboration and growth across various sectors. However, the challenge remains to effectively utilize the available incentives while navigating market competition, making strategic planning crucial for success.
