Muscat: The North Al Batinah Governorate has become a cornerstone in Oman’s economic framework, playing a pivotal role in achieving significant developmental milestones across infrastructure, transportation, quality of life, education, healthcare, industry, logistics, investment, and entertainment.
According to Oman News Agency, Mohammed Sulaiman Al Kindi, Governor of North Al Batinah, emphasized that the governorate acts as a principal gateway to Oman and the logistical backbone of the nation’s economy. This is facilitated through a comprehensive network of ports, free zones, industrial cities, land and sea ports, and a state-of-the-art road infrastructure connecting it with other regions.
In an interview, Al Kindi detailed the inclusion of A’Suwaiq and Shinas ports in the port system, which, alongside industrial cities like Sohar Industrial City, which hosts approximately 354 factories, has bolstered economic activities. A tender for an industrial city in A’Suwaiq has been issued, and a new industrial city in Shinas is in the pipeline, enhancing integration among industrial cities, ports, logistics, and free zones, thereby making the governorate a focal point for investments.
The governorate is also advancing a railway connection project with the United Arab Emirates to establish a modern railway network that will boost logistics efficiency and economic growth. This project is expected to have substantial positive logistical impacts, stimulating various economic sectors.
On the aviation front, the Civil Aviation Authority is planning the development of Sohar Airport’s passenger terminal, with tenders for implementation to follow the design finalization.
The governorate has achieved remarkable developmental strides, with each wilayat serving as a growth platform and each project enhancing the national economy and local welfare. The governorate’s vision, built on its economic, logistical, and industrial strengths, has led to a 16% growth in non-oil economic activities between 2022 and 2023. Total revenues exceeded RO 4.4 billion, spanning service, industrial, agricultural, and fisheries sectors.
Service sector revenues reached RO 2.4 billion, the industrial sector RO 1.8 billion, and the agricultural and fisheries sector RO 159 million. The governorate’s population stands at 925,000, with the highest proportion of Omani nationals, offering a favorable indicator for investors.
Foreign investments in North Al Batinah reached USD 6.4 billion in 2024, demonstrating its investment appeal. The first half of the year alone saw investments totaling USD 1.7 billion, creating numerous job opportunities.
The governorate’s budget prioritizes empowering small businesses and advancing projects that generate job opportunities, alongside developing infrastructure like parks and roads to cater to community needs.
Development is on the rise, bolstered by capacity-building efforts for government employees, which improve work quality and support a decentralized governance model empowering governorates.
Investment forums, like the Sohar Investment Forum, have successfully attracted global investors, with preparations underway for a second edition in early 2026 to further enhance commercial, service, and tourism sectors in the governorate, home to 58 hotel establishments.
Investment projects have positively impacted communities by providing employment, supporting small enterprises, and financing community development across the governorate’s six wilayats, including park creation, market construction, and healthcare sector enhancement.
The municipal sector has witnessed numerous projects, including the expansion of a vehicle sales complex, development of commercial and street vendor areas, and infrastructure enhancements like internal road maintenance and beautification projects.
Local tourism promotion and recreational space development are underway, with projects like Al Dhweher Park and Sakhayat Park enhancing the quality of life in mountainous areas.
Infrastructure projects include extensive road paving across the governorate, with 258 kilometers of road projects completed or underway to improve connectivity and internal road networks.
The healthcare sector has seen promising developments, including the forthcoming A’Suwaiq Hospital and the Sohar Referral Hospital expansion, which will increase capacity by 270 beds and introduce dialysis units across multiple wilayats.