Sunday 10 / May / 2026
Sohar: North Al Batinah Governorate is undergoing growing economic momentum driven by a diversity of commercial, industrial, and investment activities, reinforcing its position as one of the vital governorates in the Sultanate of Oman.
Recent indicators confirm the ongoing national efforts to improve the business environment and stimulate investment, which has reflected positively on the volume of registrations and licenses of various types.
Jamal Abdullah Al Hinai, Director General of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion in North Al Batinah Governorate, stated that statistics revealed the cumulative number of commercial records in the governorate reached approximately 54,603 by the end of 2025. This total includes 4,271 new registrations, reflecting continuous commercial activity and the presence of a broad and diverse economic base.
Al Hinai pointed out that at the level of the governorate's wilayats, the Wilayat of Sohar led in terms of the number of commercial registrations with 1,922 records, followed by the Wilayat of A’Suwayq with 741, the Wilayat of Saham with 657, the Wilayat of Liwa with 417, and the Wilayat of Al Khaburah with 262, while the Wilayat of Shinas recorded 272 registrations. This highlights the pivotal role of the Wilayat of Sohar as a major economic hub alongside the growing activity across various other wilayats.
He added that North Al Batinah recorded notable activity in commercial licensing, particularly in the building and construction contracting sector, which topped the list of most licensed activities during 2025 with 3,184 licenses. This serves as an indication of the continuous urban expansion and developmental projects in the governorate's wilayats. He confirmed that the governorate saw significant growth in completed commercial licenses after recording 35,432 licenses during 2025, bringing the total to 91,368 licenses. This comes within the framework of efforts to facilitate government procedures and digital transformation, which contributed to accelerating the commencement of commercial activities and enhancing the investment environment.
The Director General of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion in North Al Batinah Governorate stated that the governorate continued to strengthen its presence in the industrial sector, supported by industrial zones and advanced infrastructure. He noted that the number of industrial licenses registered during 2025 reached approximately 5,576, bringing the total to 19,232 licenses. This reflects the continuity and diversity of industrial activity, with a notable concentration in the Wilayat of Sohar as the largest host of industrial projects.
Al Hanaei further added that on the investment front, the cumulative total of investment licenses (foreign investment) in the governorate reached about 9,342 records by the end of 2025, with 1,034 records registered during that year alone. This enhances the governorate's attractiveness for investments thanks to its strategic location and advanced economic structure.
He mentioned that in the standards and metrology sector, the governorate completed 13,138 transactions through the Oman Business Platform and conducted 530 sample tests, including cement, industrial detergents, and crusher products, in addition to calibrating 997 commercial scales in retail and gold shops.
Jamal Abdullah Al Hinai concluded that the governorate continues to achieve tangible progress in simplifying procedures and enhancing the business environment. Automatic licensing has become a fundamental pillar in accelerating the start of commercial activities and enabling entrepreneurs and investors to enter the market with ease and convenience. He emphasized that the recorded figures reflect the growing level of confidence in the governorate's investment environment, noting that efforts continue to develop digital services and improve performance efficiency, contributing to sustainable economic growth and consolidating the governorate's status as a vital economic center.
