Al Dakhiliyah Leads Oman Governorates in 2025 Local Content Index

Al Dakhiliyah Assigns More Than 50% of Projects to Small and Medium Enterprises

Nizwa:  The percentage of work assigned to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Al Dakhiliyah Governorate has exceeded 50 percent of the governorate’s total projects, reflecting efforts to link development projects with investment opportunities and expand the participation of national enterprises in implementation and operation.

The governorate ranked first among Oman’s governorates and second among government entities in the 2025 Local Content and Projects Authority Index.

A total of 195 contracts were awarded to SMEs under the current and development budgets, including 192 contracts under the current budget and three under the development budget. The governorate also provided more than 70 direct investment opportunities and over 150 sales outlets for SMEs and productive families at public facilities and events.

The projects and related activities have contributed to creating more than 300 job opportunities.

Al Dakhiliyah’s approach focuses on incorporating investment opportunities into the planning and design stages of development projects by allocating spaces for shops, cafes, kiosks and sales outlets, while linking public facilities with opportunities for entrepreneurs, SMEs and productive families.

Nizwa Public Park represents one of the governorate’s applied models in this regard. The park was built at a cost of about OMR 2.57 million and has received more than 800,000 visitors since its trial operation.

The park includes 15 investment projects in entertainment and cafe activities, with a total investment of OMR 718,400, in addition to providing 25 direct and indirect job opportunities.

The integration of investment activities into development projects reflects a move towards transforming public facilities into spaces that combine services, entertainment and investment, while creating opportunities for SMEs and entrepreneurs.

The governorate has also used tourism seasons to support the local economy. The 2026 Rose Spring Season in Al Jabal Al Akhdar attracted 88,900 visitors during April, generating about OMR 350,000 in direct revenues for farm owners, with the participation of more than 44 SMEs and productive families.

Data from the season showed that sales of rose-related products and derivatives increased by more than 95 percent. The season also provided more than 50 part-time job opportunities for job seekers in cooperation with the Ministry of Labour.

The annual market value of rose water production is estimated at about OMR 210,000, with annual production reaching approximately 30,000 litres.

Sheikh Mahmoud bin Rashid Al-Saadi, in charge of running the affairs of the Governor of Al Dakhiliyah, told the Oman News Agency that the governorate seeks to ensure that development projects go beyond their direct service functions by incorporating investment opportunities into their planning, design and implementation.

He said this approach enables SMEs to benefit from opportunities generated by development projects, noting that a number of projects include spaces for shops, cafes, kiosks and outlets for productive families.

He added that SMEs participate in various fields, including contracting, supply, operation, planning, design and implementation. Exceeding 50 percent in the share of work assigned to SMEs, along with Al Dakhiliyah’s first-place ranking among governorates in the 2025 Local Content Index, reflects the growing participation of national enterprises in government projects.

Sheikh Mahmoud pointed out that several projects were designed to combine service functions with investment opportunities, including Nizwa Public Park, Al Dakhiliyah Square, the Festivals Square in Al Jabal Al Akhdar and the wilayats’ markets.

He noted that this year’s edition of the Green Mountain Festival attracted more than 315,000 visitors, while providing 95 marketing outlets for SMEs and productive families and creating 300 temporary jobs in organisational and operational activities.

For his part, Issa bin Saleh Al-Subaihi, Director of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (Riyada) in Al Dakhiliyah Governorate, told ONA that government projects represent an important pathway for opening new markets and opportunities for SMEs, particularly through contracts, tenders, operation and investment opportunities.

He explained that Riyada coordinates with Al Dakhiliyah Governorate and government entities to promote investment opportunities and facilitate access to them. The Authority also implements qualification, training, supplier development and partnership programmes and connects SMEs with larger companies.

He added that the support package includes financing, qualification, supplier development and partnership initiatives, strengthening SMEs’ ability to compete and participate in tenders and investment opportunities.

The number of business opportunities available to SMEs increased from 1,208 in 2022 to 2,176 by the end of June 2026, while the number of beneficiaries of supplier development programmes reached 4,312 by the end of the first half of 2026.

Al-Subaihi stressed the importance of SME owners benefiting from opportunities associated with government projects and available support and qualification programmes to develop their capabilities, expand their activities and strengthen their sustainability.

He concluded that Al Dakhiliyah is working to integrate local content throughout the project cycle, from planning and design through implementation and supply to operation and investment, ensuring that SME participation extends beyond construction activities to include the economic opportunities generated after projects enter service.