10th Five-Year Plan Drives Robust Project Delivery: Key Opportunities for Investors and Entrepreneurs in Oman
MUSCAT, JANUARY 4 – The completion rate for projects and programs under Oman’s Tenth Five-Year Plan (2021–2025) has exceeded 97%, underscoring effective planning and execution aligned with the goals of Oman Vision 2040, Minister of Economy Dr. Said bin Mohammed al Saqri announced.
Speaking at the recent 2026 Oman State General Budget briefing, Dr. Al Saqri emphasized that the extension of certain projects into the next Five-Year Plan is expected and does not alter future performance forecasts. “It is natural for some initiatives to finish while others progress into the upcoming plan. This continuity does not affect the overall outlook or expectations for the plan’s success,” he stated.
Dr. Al Saqri highlighted consistent progress throughout the current plan. “Development project approvals have been strong, both in terms of budget allocation and actual spending. At the start of the Tenth Five-Year Plan, approved development projects totaled around RO 6 billion. Today, that figure has grown to approximately RO 11 billion, reflecting uninterrupted implementation momentum. While many projects have been completed, others will continue into the Eleventh Five-Year Plan,” he explained.
Adding to the review, Dr. Nasser bin Rashid al Maawali, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Economy, noted the evaluation of the plan was conducted by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) to ensure transparency and objectivity. The assessment aimed to measure progress, identify challenges, and draw lessons for future planning.
Dr. Al Maawali reported significant economic improvements during the plan period: public debt decreased from about 70% of GDP to around 34%, inflation dropped from nearly 4% to below 2%, and foreign investment increased from RO 14 billion to approximately RO 30.2 billion.
Highlighting the Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX) as an economic barometer, he pointed out that the trading value surged from roughly RO 442 million early in the plan to over RO 3.5 billion today. The MSX also surpassed the 5,000-point benchmark — a level not seen in nearly eight years — illustrating the positive economic transformation achieved under the Tenth Five-Year Plan.
Overall, both officials affirmed that the plan has been instrumental in overcoming numerous economic challenges and positioning Oman for sustained growth.
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Oman’s Tenth Five-Year Plan’s 97% project completion rate and significant increase in approved development projects from RO 6 billion to RO 11 billion signal a robust commitment to sustainable growth aligned with Vision 2040. For businesses and investors, the decline in public debt to 34% of GDP, the surge in foreign investment to RO 30.2 billion, and the strong performance of the Muscat Stock Exchange highlight substantial economic stability and opportunity for expansion. Smart investors and entrepreneurs should strategically position themselves to leverage continuing project momentum and economic diversification as Oman prepares for its Eleventh Five-Year Plan.
