Muscat Daily
MHUP UNVEILS RO496MN PROJECTS
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning (MHUP) unveiled housing and infrastructure projects worth Ro496mn on Sunday at the opening of Oman Real Estate, Design and Construction Exhibition and Conference 2026. Held in partnership with the Ministry of...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Greater Muscat plan to reshape urban growth
H H Sayyid Bilarab bin Haitham Al Said, Minister of State and Governor of Muscat, presided over the unveiling of the Greater Muscat Structural Plan under the slogan ‘Greater Muscat… Timeless Spirit, Boundless Vision’ on Thursday, marking a major step...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
MARKAZ AL BAHJA WWW.IDDESIGNOMAN.COM
Omani writer earns spotlight at Sharjah literature forum
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Al Khuwair Downtown joins global business districts network
Al Khuwair Downtown, a major urban regeneration project led by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning and designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, has become the first project in the Middle East to join the Global Business Districts (GBD) Innovation...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Integrated semiconductor ecosystem on the anvil
Oman is stepping up efforts to build an integrated semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem, aiming to establish a foothold in the global digital economy despite the high costs and technical barriers associated with the industry. Speaking to Muscat...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Chinese firm to build car assembly hub in Khazaen
Khazaen Economic City has signed a Ro5mn agreement with China’s Spruce Group to establish a car assembly and production centre, marking a step forward in Oman’s plans to expand its industrial base and attract foreign investment. The signing on Sunday...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Logistics sector contributes Ro2.35bn to GDP amid 46% investment surge
The transport and storage sector is maintaining strong growth momentum with its contribution to GDP rising from Ro2.23bn in 2024 to Ro2.35bn in 2025, reflecting a growth of 5.4%. Investments in the sector surged to Ro3.4bn in 2025, up from Ro2.32bn a...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
H M CONNECTS WITH CITIZENS
Muscat - His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik toured a number of wilayats in the governorates of North Sharqiyah and South Sharqiyah on Wednesday. The Royal motorcade departed from Al Barakah Palace, passing through the wilayats of Ibra, Al Qabil...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
Oman calls for ME region free of nuclear weapons at UN meet
Oman called for the establishment of a nuclearweapon-free zone in the Middle East at the 11th Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), which is being held at the United Nations in New York and...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
MHT issues revised regulations of Tourism Law
The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism (MHT) has issued executive regulations for the Tourism Law, setting out a revised framework to regulate activities, strengthen oversight and raise service standards across the sector. The regulations, aligned with...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
H M, Iranian FM discuss evolving situation in region
Muscat - His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik met Abbas Araghchi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, at Al Barakah Palace on Sunday. At the outset, Araghchi conveyed the greetings of President Masoud Pezeshkian of Iran to His...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Oman, Kazakhstan to set up joint fund
Astana, Kazakhstan – Oman and Kazakhstan have signed a preliminary agreement to establish a strategic partnership and create a joint investment fund, marking a step forward in bilateral economic cooperation. The agreement was signed last week at the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
ITU urges Oman to modernise telecom law, digital regulations
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has called on Oman to overhaul its twodecade-old telecommunications law and strengthen collaboration between regulators, ministries and private-sector stakeholders, stressing that outdated legal...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Burhan thanks Oman’s peace efforts in Sudan
Muscat - His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik received Gen Abdel Fattah Al Burhan, President of the Transitional Sovereignty Council in the Republic of Sudan, at Al Barakah Palace during the latter’s private visit to the Sultanate of Oman on...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
African Bank of Oman launched in Angola
Muscat – The African Bank of Oman (ABO) has been officially launched in Luanda, Angola positioning it as a financial platform to support trade and investment flows between Africa and the Middle East, as well as to strengthen the sultanate’s...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Ro400mn farm investment in H1 to boost food security
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources (MAFWR) plans to offer 400 agricultural investment opportunities worth Ro400mn by the end of the first half of 2026, as part of efforts to boost food selfsufficiency and expand private sector...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Economy set for fastest growth in GCC
Oman is projected to be the fastestgrowing economy in the GCC in 2026, supported by limited exposure to regional disruptions and gains from higher oil prices, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In its 2026 Regional Economic Outlook...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
IRAN WAR COULD TRIGGER GLOBAL RECESSION: IMF
Washington, DC, US - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned on Tuesday that war in the Middle East has sharply darkened the global economic outlook, citing disruptions to oil markets, rising inflation and an increased risk of recession. In its...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Iran standoff raises fears of oil shock and global food crisis
The US naval blockade on Iranian ports has already pushed oil prices higher and could trigger wider economic and food security challenges globally, an Omani economist has warned. Speaking on Oman TV, Dr Mohammed Hummaid Nasser Al Wardi, economic...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
Oman deepens economic ties with Botswana
Muscat – His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and President Duma Gideon Boko of Botswana oversaw the signing of several cooperation agreements in Muscat on Monday, marking a step forward in economic ties between the two countries. The accords cover...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
N Sharqiyah hits farm self-sufficiency
North Sharqiyah achieved 100% self-sufficiency in several agricultural and livestock products - including dates, cucumber, honey and eggs - in 2025, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources. Dr Abdulaziz bin Ali Al...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
‘Indian Ocean requires collective stewardship to improve security’
H E Sayyid Badr Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister, took part in the 9th Indian Ocean Conference 2026, held in Mauritius via video link on Friday. Being held from April 10 to 12, the event has brought together Navin Ramgoolam, Prime Minister of Mauritius,...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Oman backs Iran–us truce
Oman has welcomed the announcement of a ceasefire agreement between Iran and the United States, expressing hope that the move will pave the way for broader regional stability and renewed diplomatic engagement. In a statement, the Foreign Ministry...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Expressway expansion work to begin in June
The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology is preparing to begin work on expansion of Muscat Expressway in mid-june, as part of ongoing efforts to enhance road capacity and improve traffic flow across Muscat governorate. The...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Over 100 investment opportunities unveiled at South Batinah forum
More than 100 investment opportunities and over 40 investment sites with a combined area exceeding 6mn sqm were unveiled during the Investment Opportunities Forum 2026 in Barka organised by the South Batinah branch of Oman Chamber of Commerce and...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
TRA prepares to roll out 6G
A preliminary study has been launched to assess the readiness for deploying sixth-generation (6G) telecommunications networks in Oman, as part of efforts to prepare the nation for the next wave of digital connectivity. The Telecommunications...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
War impacts winter tourism
Rising regional tensions amid the ongoing conflict in the Gulf have begun to affect Oman’s tourism sector this winter season. The winter tourism season typically attracts large numbers of international visitors seeking desert adventures and cultural...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
MOSD reports 4,199 child abuse cases
The Ministry of Social Development(mosd) has revealed that child protection committees across the sultanate dealt with 4,199 cases of child abuse in 2025, reflecting the scale of efforts to safeguard vulnerable groups and strengthen social protection...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Ro8.8bn utilities investment unveiled
Compensation paid to subscribers will be doubled if utility companies repeatedly fail to meet approved service standards, the Authority for Public Services Regulation (APSR) has said, as it outlined measures to strengthen consumer protection in Oman’s...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
MHUP launches emergency support system for homes hit by recent rains
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning( MHUP) has launched a dedicated electronic service to receive assistance requests from citizens whose homes were affected by the recent weather conditions, a senior official said. Saeed bin Nasser Al Harasi,...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
MTCIT launches maritime portal offering 13 services
The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MTCIT) has launched the Oman Maritime Portal, a new digital platform designed to streamline maritime services and accelerate procedures across the sultanate’s maritime sector. The...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
TRAGIC WEEKEND: 5 DEAD
Heavy rains and flash floods that swept parts of Oman over the weekend resulted in five deaths, including a child and two women, as wadis overflowed and water levels surged in several governorates. Search and rescue teams saved more than 115 citizens...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
93 SHELTERED AS RAINS CONTINUE
Heavy rainfall over the past few days has prompted authorities to activate shelter centres in several parts of the sultanate, while some public transport services have been suspended as a precaution amid a weather system linked to the Al Misarrat low...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
‘Crossing wadis remains top cause of emergencies’
The Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority (CDAA) has confirmed that attempts to cross flowing wadis remain the leading cause of emergency incidents during the current weather conditions in Oman, despite repeated warnings. Heavy rains over the past few...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Plans for short haul domestic routes to expand air connectivity
Oman is set to launch a new domestic air service before the end of this year, aimed at strengthening connectivity between governorates and remote areas, improving access to economic and tourism hubs, and supporting transport for the oil and gas...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Oman climbs 19 places in economic freedom index
Oman has climbed 19 places in the 2026 Index of Economic Freedom, issued by the USbased Heritage Foundation, ranking 39th globally, compared with 58th in 2025. The index evaluates 176 economies worldwide to measure the level of economic freedom, based...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Ro762mn boost for urban development
Oman signed 17 investment and development agreements worth more than Ro762mn during its participation in MIPIM 2026 in Cannes, France, which concluded on Friday, highlighting growing international interest in the sultanate’s urban development...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Charter aviation brings Ro30mn tourism revenue
The charter aviation sector generated more than Ro30mn in economic returns for Oman in 2025, according to the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism (MHT). The figure includes revenues from accommodation, transportation and tourist trips, excluding...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Mandatory savings scheme for expats among new social protection reforms
The Social Protection Fund (SPF) is preparing to introduce several new insurance programmes between 2026 and 2028 as part of efforts to expand social protection coverage and enhance job and financial security in the labour market. The initiatives were...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
MTCIT to expand digital economy
The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MTCIT) has unveiled a new set of initiatives to expand Oman’s digital economy over the next five years, including plans to establish digital transformation centres across all...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Oman Air boosts capacity with 80 extra flights
Oman Air has reaffirmed its commitment to international travellers after transporting more than 97,000 passengers over the past week, while adding nearly 80 extra flights to accommodate a sharp rise in travel demand. While ongoing regional challenges...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
Oman calls for joint Arab action
Oman on Sunday called for urgent diplomatic efforts to contain the conflict involving Iran, warning that continued hostilities could threaten regional stability and global economic interests. The appeal came during an extraordinary ministerial meeting...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
OMAN’S TRADE SURPLUS DOWN 27% TO RO6BN
Oman recorded a trade surplus of Ro6.097bn for the full year 2025, down 26.9% from Ro8.341bn in 2024, mainly due to a sharp decline in value of oil exports. Preliminary statistics from the National Centre for Statistics and Information showed that the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Ro186mn to expand Muscat Expressway, Ibra carriageway
The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, in coordination with the Projects, Tenders and Local Content Authority, has awarded contracts worth Ro186.3mn for two major road projects aimed at easing congestion and improving...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
Drones target ports in Duqm, Salalah; air traffic disrupted
Oman came under drone attacks on Tuesday, with vital installations targeted in the ports of Duqm and Salalah. A security source confirmed that two drones were intercepted over the skies of Dhofar, while a third fell near the Port of Salalah, with no...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Drone attack on tanker off Muscat kills crew member
An oil tanker flying the flag of the Marshall Islands was struck by a drone boat on Monday in waters off Muscat, triggering a fire and leaving one crew member dead. The vessel, identified as MKD VYOM, was sailing approximately 52 nautical miles off...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Drones strike Duqm port, oil tanker near Khasab
Oman has strongly condemned two separate drone attacks targeting Port of Duqm and an oil tanker off the coast of Khasab, describing the incidents as acts of aggression amid heightened regional tensions. According to a security source, two unmanned...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
REGION ON THE BRINK
The United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran on Saturday, triggering Iranian retaliation and raising fears of a wider regional conflict. Large explosions were reported in Tehran and several other cities, with smoke seen rising...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
FDI UP 16% TO RO30.9BN
Foreign direct investment into Oman increased 16.2% year-on-year by the end of the third quarter of 2025, with total FDI stocks reaching Ro30.948bn, according to data released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI). FDI inflows...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
Major traffic accidents up 13%
Unaudited official figures released by the Financial Services Authority show that insurance companies registered approximately 75,300 traffic accidents in 2025, compared to 75,200 in 2024 - a marginal increase of 0.1%. Compensation for traffic...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
18 pharma factories planned; health budget nears Ro1bn
Oman is expanding its pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity with 18 new production facilities under construction, in addition to 20 facilities currently operating across the sultanate, the Ministry of Health (MOH) stated on Sunday. The announcement...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
MTCIT plans direct Muscat–tashkent flights
Oman is stepping up efforts to strengthen transport and logistics ties with Uzbekistan, as part of a broader strategy to enhance connectivity with Central Asia and reinforce its position as a regional transit hub. The Ministry of Transport,...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Oman’s investment outlook rated ‘favourable’ in global resilience index
Oman is ranked 55th in the inaugural Global Investment Risk and Resilience Index released by Henley & Partners in partnership with Alphageo. The sultanate recorded a total score of 63.80 out of 100, placing it in the ‘Favourable Outlook’ category. The...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
His Majesty exchanges Ramadan greetings
Muscat - His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik exchanged greetings on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan with leaders of Arab and friendly Islamic countries on Wednesday. His Majesty the Sultan expressed his best wishes to the leaders, praying...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Telecom revenues grow 25%; IOT subscriptions jump 358%
Fifty government schools have been connected to the Starlink satellite Internet service and the telecom sector’s 2025 revenue rose 25% to Ro961mn, officials said on Tuesday. At a media briefing, the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA)...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
SEZS, industrial cities attract Ro1.4bn in new investments
New investments in special economic zones (SEZ), free zones and industrial cities exceeded Ro1.4bn in 2025, pushing total committed investments in facilities overseen by the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) to Ro22.4bn...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
SURVEY SHOWS RISING NCD RISK IN OMAN
Non-communicable diseases (NCDS) continue to pose a major public health burden in Oman, with one in three adults living with hypertension and more than 60% classified as overweight or obese, according to the 2025 National Survey of Non-communicable...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
SHOP IN-STORE & ONLINE
Suwaiq farmer’s sesame harvest sparks interest in high-value crop
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Brazilian firm invests $150mn in meat JV
JBS, a leading Brazilian global food company, has announced an investment of Us$150mn in Oman to create a new joint venture (JV) multiprotein production platform covering the production and export of beef, poultry and lamb. JBS has acquired an 80%...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Ro100mn in labour fines waived as reform drive gathers pace
Labour fines worth Ro100mn were waived off in 2025 as part of a broader reform programme to regulate the labour market and support economic growth, the Ministry of Labour stated on Monday. The figure was announced at the second session of the Together...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
700,000 jobs projected in 11th Five-year Plan
Oman’s improving economic performance and declining public debt are reinforcing the economy’s ability to generate jobs, with around 700,000 jobs projected under the 11th Five-year Plan, including 300,000 for Omanis. According to H E Dr Said bin...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Iran, US agree to continue nuclear talks following Muscat meeting
Muscat - Iran and the United States have agreed to continue nuclear negotiations following talks held in Oman, with both sides describing the discussions as constructive and setting the stage for a new round early this week. US President Donald Trump...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
EA to build 3D-printed underwater museum in Daymaniyat Islands
The Environment Authority (EA) plans to establish a 3Dprinted underwater museum in the Daymaniyat Islands Nature Reserve, using artificial reef structures to protect marine biodiversity and promote sustainable ecotourism, an official stated. The...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Ro935mn OIA investments to boost industry, job creation
Oman Investment Authority (OIA) launched four major industrial projects in the first month of the sultanate’s 11th Five-year Plan, translating national priorities into tangible investments that advance economic diversification, strengthen local content...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Prosecution cases jump 19% to 55,164
The Public Prosecution received 55,164 cases in 2025, a 19% increase on the previous year, with higher filings in both misdemeanours and felonies, officials said at the authority’s annual conference on Sunday. Misdemeanours accounted for 52,553 cases...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Strict rules introduced to protect reserves
In a move to safeguard Oman’s fragile ecosystems while positioning its reserves as sustainable tourism assets, the Environment Authority (EA) has rolled out strict regulations and fines governing activities in two of the sultanate’s most prized...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
OIA outlines structured divestment to boost FDI and private sector
Oman plans to divest stakes in around 30 companies under a structured programme aimed at strengthening investment, empowering the private sector and attracting foreign capital, according to Abdulsalam al Murshidi, President of Oman Investment Authority...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
Oman Air passengers surge 8% to record 5.8mn in 2025
Muscat - Oman Air has recorded strong commercial performance in 2025, marking an important milestone in the airline’s ongoing transformation programme and underscoring the impact of initiatives introduced to drive efficiency, sustainable growth and an...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
National programme to build satellite capabilities launched
Represented by Oman Lens company, the sultanate launched a national programme on Tuesday to develop and assemble a CubeSat satellite, marking a step towards building domestic capabilities in satellite manufacturing and space technologies. The...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Oman aviation sector eyes Ro1bn investment by 2040
The aviation sector is projected to handle more than 40mn passengers and attract cumulative private sector investments exceeding Ro1bn by 2040, raising its contribution to the gross domestic product to over 3.5%, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
SMUGGLING CASES RISE 10%
Oman recorded more than 1,000 cross-border smuggling cases in 2025, a 10% increase from the previous year, as authorities intensified measures to combat illicit trade and strengthen border security, a senior customs official said. Brig Gen Said bin...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
Ro1bn deals for power generation
Nama Power and Water Procurement (PWP) signed agreements on Thursday worth Ro1bn with two international consortia to develop new power generation projects in Misfah and Duqm, improving the sultanate’s electricity supply and supporting long-term energy...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Oman up 5 places to rank 18th in Speedtest Global Index 2025
Oman has made significant gains in mobile and broadband performance, climbing five places to 18th in the Speedtest Global Index in 2025, according to Ookla’s Speedtest Intelligence data. The country’s all-technology median download speed more than...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
Motor insurance cover expanded
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has approved new regulatory amendments to the Unified Motor Insurance Policy programme, expanding coverage for policyholders and introducing measures to improve service standards across the sector. Under Decision...
Read Full Story (Page 1)