Wednesday 10 / June / 2026
Ibri: Al Dhahirah Governorate continues to solidify its position as a promising economic destination in the Sultanate of Oman, driven by growing investment momentum and rising indicators of commercial and industrial activity. This progress aligns with ongoing efforts to boost economic diversification and streamline investment-enabling procedures.
In recent years, the governorate has witnessed growth in the trade, services, and investment sectors, supported by infrastructure and regional development projects. These foundational elements contribute to strengthening Al Dhahirah’s role in achieving the objectives of sustainable economic development and diversifying income sources in the Sultanate of Oman.
Statistical data for the first quarter of the current year show a notable increase in the number of new commercial registers in the governorate, with 139 new registers recorded, compared to 93 during the same period last year—a growth rate of 49.5%. Consequently, the total cumulative commercial registers have risen to 10,234.
Saleh Said Al Musalhi, Director of the Department of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion in Al Dhahirah Governorate, stated that these indicators reflect growing confidence in the governorate’s investment environment, as well as ongoing efforts to enhance services and facilitate procedures for investors and entrepreneurs. This, in turn, contributes to boosting economic activity and attracting further investment projects.
At the level of the governorate’s wilayats, Ibri maintained its lead in new commercial registers with 114 registrations, marking a 46.2% increase. Dhank ranked second in growth rate, recording 13 new registers—a 116.7% rise—while Yanqul registered 12 new registers during the same period.
Regarding commercial licenses, 1,687 completed commercial licenses were issued, raising the cumulative total to 16,130. Furthermore, as many as 2,077 fully processed automatic licenses were recorded, bringing the cumulative automatic licenses to 23,947.
In the industrial sector, 318 completed industrial licenses were issued, with Ibri leading at 253 licenses, followed by Dhank and Yanqul with 36 and 29 licenses, respectively.
On the investment and commercial front in Al Dhahirah Governorate, investment projects span multiple sectors, including oil and gas, building materials and related sectors, storage and logistics services, light and medium industries of various types, manufacturing industries, food products, and other industrial activities.
Al Dhahirah Governorate is also witnessing a qualitative transformation in the energy sector, with Ibri leading the renewable energy project landscape. The cumulative number of registered records in this sector reached 453. Meanwhile, construction and building contracting activities continued to top the list of most licensed activities in the governorate, with 179 new licenses, achieving a growth rate of 77.2% compared to the same period last year.
The Special Economic Zone in Al Dhahirah Governorate is among the largest new strategic projects in the Sultanate of Oman. It aims to transform the governorate into a logistics and industrial hub, enhance economic diversification and sustainable development, stimulate cross-border trade with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and attract local and international investments. The Economic Zone also contributes to strengthening logistics connectivity for goods via land and sea ports between the Sultanate of Oman and GCC member states, given its proximity to the Al Rub’ Al Khali “Empty Quarter” border crossing with Saudi Arabia.
Additionally, a number of projects within the Economic Zone have been awarded, including the development of the dry port’s infrastructure, a veterinary quarantine facility, and associated service utilities, as well as the development of an administrative and commercial building complex with its ancillary facilities, alongside road construction and a surface water drainage system for the zone.
