North Al Batinah Strengthens Position as Oman’s Industrial and Investment Hub

Sohar Port and Free Zone Boost North Al Batinah’s Global Economic Role

Sohar: North Al Batinah Governorate continues to strengthen its position as one of the Sultanate of Oman’s leading economic and industrial centers, supported by its strategic location overlooking the Sea of Oman and its advanced logistics and industrial infrastructure.

The governorate includes Sohar Port and Freezone, Sohar Industrial Complex, Sohar Refinery, aluminum and petrochemical industries, and several energy and manufacturing projects that support Oman’s economic diversification plans under Oman Vision 2040.

According to data issued by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), North Al Batinah recorded a population of approximately 940,464 by the end of March 2026, representing 17.5 percent of Oman’s total population, making it the second most populated governorate after Muscat.

The governorate comprises six wilayats: Sohar, Shinas, Liwa, Saham, Al Khaboura and Al Suwaiq, with Sohar serving as its administrative and economic center.

Historically, Sohar was one of Oman’s most prominent trade and maritime cities during the 7th and 8th centuries AD, connecting trade routes with India, China and East Africa. Several historical landmarks, including Sohar Fort and traditional markets, continue to reflect this heritage.

Mohammed Sulaiman Al Kindi, Governor of North Al Batinah, said that the governorate is implementing its 2026–2030 strategic plan in line with Oman Vision 2040, focusing on sustainable economic growth, service development, digital transformation and improving quality of life.

He explained that the strategy is based on five main pillars: competitive economic development, efficient services and digital transformation, sustainable human capital, community partnership and governance driven by modern data systems and performance indicators.

Al Kindi added that the governorate is working to strengthen the investment environment through streamlined procedures, digital government services and integration among relevant authorities to attract quality investments and support entrepreneurs and SMEs.

He pointed to several development and tourism projects under implementation, including the Shinas Waterfront Project, Liwa Entrance Development Project, Al Tayeb City Walkway, Majis Waterfront Project in Sohar and the Saham Corniche Project.

The governorate is also preparing studies for the development of heritage and tourism sites in Al Khaboura and Al Suwaiq to support tourism investment and preserve cultural identity.

On the economic front, Al Kindi said cumulative commercial registrations in the governorate reached 54,603 by the end of 2025, including 4,271 new registrations. Construction contracting activities recorded the highest number of licenses during the year.

He affirmed that Sohar Port and Freezone remain major economic drivers, attracting industrial, logistics, energy and manufacturing investments through the strategic partnership between Asyad Group and the Port of Rotterdam.

The total investment volume in Sohar Port and Freezone exceeded USD 30 billion, with over 1,900 companies from 49 countries operating in the area.

Al Kindi added that Sohar Port and Freezone handled more than 75 million tonnes annually and received over 3,000 ships per year, while the container terminal capacity reached 2.46 million TEUs.

He also highlighted progress in the Oman-UAE railway project, which has achieved around 45 percent completion, alongside strategic projects in LNG, green energy and industrial infrastructure.

In the agriculture and fisheries sectors, the governorate continues implementing initiatives to enhance food security and support agricultural production, including the Saham Agricultural City project and model commercial farms for crops such as mangoes, lemons and guavas.

North Al Batinah includes six fishing ports, eight fish markets and more than 214 fish marketing outlets. The number of artisanal fishermen exceeded 13,000 by the end of 2025.

In the healthcare sector, Al Kindi said several projects are underway, including Al Suwaiq Referral Hospital, Al Salwa Hospital for addiction treatment and rehabilitation in Sohar, and kidney dialysis centers in Al Khaboura and Sohar.

The governorate is also cooperating with the Environment Authority to protect biodiversity, monitor wildlife and implement environmental awareness programs and rehabilitation projects.

Al Kindi stressed that tourism and environmental projects in the governorate are being developed according to sustainability standards that preserve natural resources while supporting economic growth and investment opportunities.