Investment Portfolio Unveiled for Food Security Projects: Key Opportunities for Investors and Entrepreneurs in Oman
The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion (MoCIIP), in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, has unveiled a comprehensive package of high-quality investment opportunities in the food security sector via the Invest Oman online platform.
These opportunities span agriculture, aquaculture, and related industries, underscoring Oman’s rich natural and productive resources and its potential to attract value-added investments throughout the food supply chain. This initiative aligns with the Sultanate’s ongoing efforts to boost self-sufficiency, promote resource sustainability, and increase the contribution of productive sectors to the national economy.
In agriculture, the platform features five key projects in Al Najd Agricultural City:
- Onion cultivation and processing (investment approx. RO 4.8 million)
- Garlic cultivation (RO 2.3 million)
- Melon cultivation (RO 2.1 million)
- Greenhouse leafy vegetable cultivation (RO 1.6 million)
- Potato cultivation and processing (RO 5.5 million)
These projects are designed to capitalize on the region’s agricultural potential and strengthen local production.
The fisheries sector presents five diverse investment projects, including:
- An algae aquaculture project in Al Suwaiq (approx. RO 2 million)
- Omani abalone aquaculture in Sharabithat, Dhofar (approx. RO 10 million)
- Giant shrimp aquaculture in Ras Madrakah (approx. RO 32 million)
- White-leg shrimp aquaculture in Jaalan Bani Bu Ali (approx. RO 25 million)
- Tuna fattening using floating cages in Qurayat (RO 4.7 million)
These initiatives aim to enhance the production of high-value marine species and expand aquaculture activities across Oman.
Additionally, the portfolio includes supporting food industry projects, such as a sustainable alternative fish feed manufacturing project in the Samayil Industrial Area, valued at around RO 3.8 million. This project supports the fisheries value chain and related industries.
Investment sizes vary from medium-scale projects starting at approximately RO 1.6 million to major strategic ventures exceeding RO 32 million, offering a range of options to investors and promoting partnerships and long-term commitments.
Oman offers competitive advantages for these investments, including ample suitable agricultural land, diverse marine resources, a strategic geographic location, advanced infrastructure in agricultural and industrial zones, and a robust legislative and regulatory framework supporting agriculture and fisheries investments.
Khalid bin Hamad al Kharousi, Director General of the Investment Promotion Directorate at MoCIIP, emphasized that the development of these opportunities follows an integrated approach targeting priority sectors, transforming enablers into investment-ready projects based on solid technical and economic foundations. He highlighted the strong collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources to ensure alignment with national priorities and enhance project readiness and investor appeal.
This initiative supports Oman’s broader strategy to strengthen food security as a cornerstone of economic diversification by promoting local production, developing related industries, and improving supply chain efficiency, in accordance with Oman Vision 2040.
Dr. Masoud bin Suleiman al Azri, Director General of Agricultural and Fisheries Marketing at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, noted that these investment opportunities have been crafted through specialized technical studies, considering the comparative advantages of each location and focusing on priority food security sectors. This approach is aimed at boosting local production and optimizing natural resource use.
The Invest Oman platform provides investors with detailed technical data, investment values, and operating models for these opportunities, facilitating project readiness and accelerating investment decisions.
Special Analysis by Omanet | Navigate Oman’s Market
Oman’s strategic launch of targeted investment opportunities in agriculture and aquaculture through Invest Oman signals a robust push towards enhancing food security and economic diversification under Vision 2040. For businesses and investors, this presents a golden opportunity to tap into high-value, resource-backed projects with strong government support and infrastructure, while also positioning themselves at the forefront of Oman’s sustainable development goals. Smart investors should prioritize partnerships in these sectors, leveraging Oman’s comparative advantages in natural resources and regulatory support to optimize long-term returns and contribute to national resilience.
