Saturday 08 / November / 2025
Nizwa: The Al Dakhiliyah Governorate is working to enhance its position in the comprehensive development path through an integrated framework that combines institutional planning and field implementation, based on an integrated partnership between government agencies and institutions, the private sector, and local community institutions.
The governorate’s approach represents a clear and practical translation of the objectives of “Oman Vision 2040” in building a diversified economy based on knowledge and sustainability, which enhances the quality of life and achieves well-being for citizens in the various states of the Al Dakhiliyah Governorate.
The governorate has worked to adopt balanced development policies that keep pace with the aspirations of the people in the Sultanate of Oman, placing them at the heart of the development process, through projects that enhance the infrastructure and preserve the cultural identity in thought and action, while investing in natural resources in accordance with official directions.
In this context, the governorate launched during the current year the “Development Strategy (2026–2030)”, which is the comprehensive executive framework for its directions during the next five years.
The governorate’s strategy focuses on the smart infrastructure, the productive local economy, social and cultural development, environmental sustainability and local content, digital transformation and governance in an effort to maximise the developmental impact, enhance the efficiency of government spending and expand the participation of the private sector and the local community in the building process.
Sheikh Hilal Said Al Hajri, Governor of Al Dakhiliyah, stated: “The governorate is moving confidently towards integrated development that contributes to improving the quality of life, through projects with a direct return on the local economy and society at the same time, noting that the current stage is witnessing a qualitative shift in project management through the governance system, and close monitoring of institutional performance indicators.”
He added that the Al Dakhiliyah Governorate is today an integrated model of balanced development and effective exemplary partnership, as its projects are based on a clear vision that targets the human being and enhances the value of the place, relying on an institutional system that embodies the supreme directives in order to empower the governorates to be, in turn, essential pillars in the sustainable development of the Sultanate of Oman.
The Governor said that with the implementation of the new development strategy and the integration of sectoral plans, the governorate continues to move forward steadily towards a prosperous future, embodying its enduring motto: “Developing people and places with a national vision and global horizons.”
He explained that the strategic plan (2026–2030), which was launched this year and is entitled “Horizons”, constitutes a practical roadmap for determining development and investment priorities, through alignment with national policies and the involvement of the local community in formulating development directions, stressing that fairness in the distribution of resources between states is a firmly established principle in the approach to development work.
He pointed out that the total number of projects in the various states of the Al Dakhiliyah Governorate until the end of October 2025 amounted to about 137 with a total cost estimated at about OMR79.4 million, including 50 projects that are being implemented at a cost exceeding OMR42.3 million, 8 projects at a cost of OMR12.4 million, and 79 projects that the governorate received at a cost estimated at OMR24.7 million.
The implementation rate of the governorate development programme projects exceeded 82 percent by mid-October. These projects include the consultancy study for the development of the Falaj Al-Khatmeen water channel in Birkat Al-Maouj in the Wilayat of Nizwa, the activation of the Nizwa Gate, the design and implementation of internal roads in the Wilayat of Bahla, the development and rehabilitation of the public park in the Al-Ma'moura area in the Wilayat of Bahla, the development and rehabilitation of the Al-Khatm Park and the restrooms in the market in the Wilayat of Manah, the establishment of a market equipped for vegetables and fruits in the centre of the Wilayat of Izki, and consultancy services for the development of the entrance to the Wilayat of Bidbid.
He explained that these projects are part of a broader strategy to enhance balanced development across the governorate's nine districts by supporting initiatives with a direct economic impact, particularly those targeting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which are a cornerstone of local growth.
The percentage of projects allocated to these SMEs increased from 34.5 percent in 2024 to 51.7 percent in 2025, with a value exceeding OMR6 million by the end of the third quarter of this year, reflecting the approach of economically empowering the local community.
The governorate also achieved 90.24 percent of the total relative weight of local content indicators in 2025.
The province is witnessing significant economic activity in the industrial sector, with a growth rate of 6.3 percent.
The total number of cumulative industrial licenses issued to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the sector has reached 23,137.
This growth is attributed to several factors, including strengthening the business environment in the province through partnerships with various governmental and private entities, signing cooperation agreements with academic institutions to exchange expertise in commercial, industrial, investment, and technological fields, as well as in standards and metrology, and promoting innovation. Efforts have also been unified to enhance integration among stakeholders in establishing joint programs and events, addressing sector challenges, and studying the business environment to facilitate economic activities.
These efforts have included field visits and inspections, and have expedited the processing of over 1,236 certificates of origin, 54 industrial license applications, and 56 customs exemption applications.
The government offers a range of incentives and enablers to promote the small and medium enterprises sector in the governorate, including training and qualification programs, the establishment of business incubators, financing projects on easy terms, and providing technical, administrative and financial consultations and training, along with granting an entrepreneurship card that allows the institution to obtain government incentives and facilities.
The Governor of Al Dakhiliyah affirmed that the governorate is committed to establishing a comprehensive development model based on partnership and integration between government entities, the private sector, and the local community.
He noted that the achievements of recent years embody the wise vision of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik in empowering the governorates to be active drivers of sustainable development in the Sultanate of Oman. Road projects are among the most prominent pillars of local development, as they contribute to connecting the governorate's districts and enhancing economic and tourism activity.
The governorate is working in conjunction with the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology to implement quality projects. The ministry is currently implementing several strategic projects in the governorate, the most important of which is the dualisation of the Izki-Nizwa road with a length of 32.2 kilometres and a cost of approximately OMR47 million, and the Jebel Shams road, in addition to the project to design and implement the Aqaba Afri road and the Al-Saqari village road in Samail and Izki with a completion rate of 49.6 percent and a total cost of OMR4,596,000 until the end of October 2025.
The governorate also witnessed the launch of a tender for the project to dualise the Marfa’a Daris-Jabrin road, with a length of 40 kilometres, which will be implemented by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology during the coming period and includes the construction of traffic lights, a number of roundabouts and tunnels for pedestrians and vehicles, and its implementation is scheduled to begin at the beginning of 2026.
The governorate is also witnessing work on the Al-Tasawir - Al-Washahi road project linking the state of Izki and the North Al Sharqiyah governorate to enhance regional connectivity and support domestic tourism.
The governorate, in cooperation with the relevant authorities, seeks to implement the Al-Madra dual carriageway project in the Wilayat of Samail during the coming period, as the consultancy studies for the project have been completed and it is hoped that it will be launched during the next year.
Road projects contribute to improving traffic flow, reducing accidents, and enhancing social and economic interdependence between states, as well as supporting trade, services, and tourism transport activities.
The Al Dakhiliyah Governorate has given considerable attention to developing health and education services and ensuring their equitable distribution across its districts. In the health sector, the new Samail Hospital project is a key strategic initiative with a capacity of 170 beds, a cost exceeding OMR45 million, and a completion rate of 73 percent as of the end of last October.
Work is currently underway to expand the Somrah Health Centre, with a completion rate of 98 percent, and to establish a new health centre in Saih Al Maashi in the Wilayat of Bahla, in addition to a kidney dialysis unit and a medical warehouse in Adam Hospital, with a completion rate of 80 percent.
The health sector projects in the governorate seek to achieve fairness in the distribution of health services and raise their operational efficiency in line with the aspirations of the local community, as the governorate works in conjunction with the Ministry of Health in implementing the national survey of non-communicable diseases, as one of the most important preventive projects to improve general health indicators.
In the education sector, which is a cornerstone of human development in the governorate, seven new schools were constructed in the wilayats of Nizwa, Bahla, Bidbid, Manah, and Samail during 2025, with an 80% completion rate. In addition, 33 new educational facilities were built, including laboratories, classrooms, and service facilities. The governorate also has 336 schools serving various educational levels.
The Ministry of Education launched a new secondary school project for boys in the state of Samail as part of the first phase of the 2025 educational infrastructure plan.
As part of supporting scientific innovation and nurturing talented individuals, the governorate launched the National Program for Identifying Talented Students, which targets sixth-grade students and measures their abilities in the areas of originality, flexible thinking, and intellectual generation.
The Science and Technology Centre in Al Dakhiliyah Governorate also witnessed the implementation of an integrated summer program in which about 600 male and female students participated in workshops and scientific and applied laboratories, in addition to launching the scientific caravan that toured a number of schools in the governorate to spread the culture of innovation and scientific thinking.
In the context of developing the professional and technical track within school education, the Ministry of Education launched the “Travel and Tourism” specialisation in the governorate’s schools starting from the academic year 2025/2026. This specialisation is the first of its kind at the level of general education, and it focuses on guest service skills, tourism operations management, and destination marketing, in line with the Sultanate of Oman’s directions to develop the tourism sector as a major economic driver.
The governorate gives special attention to the heritage and tourism sector by adopting an approach based on the purple economy, due to its role in achieving economic diversification and investing in elements of culture and national identity in support of sustainable development.
The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism is implementing a number of restoration and rehabilitation projects for the old neighborhoods, castles, fortresses and historical sites in the governorate, in order to preserve their authentic value and transform them into an economic and tourist resource that enriches the visitor’s cultural experience and contributes to revitalizing the tourism and economic activity in the governorate.
The governorate is also involving the local community and entrepreneurs in investing in heritage sites through small and medium projects that contribute to generating job opportunities and supporting the local economy.
The governorate continues to implement a number of development and heritage projects across its districts, aimed at improving public facilities, preserving historical neighborhoods, and revitalising tourism.
The restoration of the Al-Aqr wall is 70% complete, while the rehabilitation and development of the Bahla market has reached 54%, and the development of the Jabrin and Basya entrances is 25% complete. Development work is also underway in the Al-Bilad neighbourhood in the Wilayat of Manah and the Misfat Al-Abriyeen neighbourhood in the Wilayat of Al-Hamra, both with a completion rate of 25%.
The castles and fortresses in the governorate recorded 302,000 visitors during the first half of 2025, reflecting the effectiveness of promotional programs and tourism initiatives aimed at making the interior a sustainable destination for cultural and environmental tourism.
The small and medium enterprises (SMEs) sector in Al Dakhiliyah Governorate is a key driver of economic and social development, given its role in fostering innovation, creating jobs, and stimulating commercial activity. In 2024, the sector witnessed a 6% growth, bringing the total number of registered enterprises to over 16,000, along with a 109% increase in the number of active commercial registrations compared to 2023, reflecting the growing spirit of initiative and entrepreneurship among the governorate's residents.
The Governorate of Al Dakhiliyah collaborates with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority and other relevant entities to implement empowerment programs that include training, technical support, facilitating access to finance, and providing investment incentives to enhance the competitiveness of enterprises.
It also works to enable SMEs to participate in local development projects and government tenders, and supports the establishment of incubators and accelerators that provide a stimulating business environment contributing to the sustainability of projects and the development of entrepreneurs' capabilities, in line with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040 to build a diversified economy based on innovation and productivity.
The governorate is proceeding according to an integrated urban vision that responds to population growth and the development of cities, through quality projects such as the Interior Square in the Wilayat of Nizwa, the implementation of 35 parks and gardens with an area exceeding 1.35 million square meters, the Nizwa Future City project, and the Al Zain Fort neighborhood in the Wilayat of Bidbid, which includes 639 investment housing units at a cost of OMR30 million.
In the water and agriculture sector, the project to transfer water from Al Khoudh station to Al Dakhiliyah Governorate is being implemented at a cost of OMR128 million, with a length of 173 kilometers and a storage capacity of 350,000 cubic metres, and the water distribution network project in Al Hamra State at a value of OMR26 million to supply 82 villages with water services.
The governorate recently witnessed the completion of the water network project in the Wilayat of Manah, at a total cost of more than OMR25 million. The project includes a main reservoir with a storage capacity of 21,800 cubic metres, in addition to main water transmission lines with a length of 12 kilometres and a water distribution network with a length of 400 kilometres.
The governorate, in cooperation with the relevant authorities, also presented 36 investment opportunities worth OMR30 million in the fields of agriculture, environment and water, which contributed to an increase in agricultural activities by 9 percent to reach OMR50 million, and the growth of non-oil activities by 3.9 percent until the end of 2024.
In the area of youth and culture, the governorate gives youth the highest priority as they are the force of change and the makers of the future, as it implements quality programs in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, including student sports development centers, the “Future Pioneers” programme to enhance entrepreneurship skills, and the “Our Safe Home” initiative that targets the youth category from 13 to 28 years old to promote mental health and family cohesion.
The governorate is also witnessing the development of an integrated sports infrastructure in its states, enabling young people to practice their activities in a safe and stimulating environment, which contributes to consolidating the values of creativity and positive competition.
In the social sphere, social development in the Al Dakhiliyah Governorate has shifted from providing basic services to empowering and building a sustainable community.
The number of beneficiaries of the social protection system reached 205,265, while the number of beneficiaries of community support programs reached 46,446. The Directorate General of Social Development is working to promote volunteer work and empower productive families through marketing incubators.
It is worth noting that the Interior Governorate achieved an advanced performance in the index of the number of registered volunteers at the governorate level, which reflects the maturity of the local community and its awareness of the importance of participating in national development
