News

Heritage, Tourism Sectors in Oman Achieve Positive Growth IndicatorsMuscat, 27 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism confirmed during its annual media briefing held today in Muscat that the Sultanate of Oman’s tourism sector continues to achieve rapid growth and positive results. These figures reflect the effectiveness of approved policies and programs, as well as the sector's growing role in supporting economic diversification and increasing its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).Sayyid Ibrahim Said Al Busaidi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism, ...

Sultan Haitham City Issues Three New Construction Tenders Muscat, 27 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- Sultan Haitham City is witnessing a significant acceleration in the implementation of its infrastructure and primary facility packages. This progress coincides with the issuance of three new construction tenders within Package Nine of the city's works, covering streetscaping and aesthetic landscaping for main roads, the execution of the Central Park and Wadi, and the construction of the Rehabilitation Complex for Persons with Disabilities. These tenders are part of an advanced ...

OCCI Participates in 19th Asian Financial Forum in Hong Kong Hong Kong, 27 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) participated in the 19th Asian Financial Forum held in Hong Kong, which saw extensive participation from government leaders, decision-makers, financial experts, and representatives of economic institutions from around the world. During the forum, the Chamber emphasized the role of finance as a strategic pillar for empowering the real economy and stimulating productive investment. The Chamber's participation comes as part of its commitment to ...

Oman, Kuwait Fund Sign RO 12.4m Financing Agreement for Duqm Internal Roads Project Muscat, 27 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- The Sultanate of Oman today signed a financing agreement with the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development to contribute to the financing of the second phase of the internal roads project in the Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD). The agreement was signed on behalf of the Government of the Sultanate of Oman by Sultan Salim Al Habsi, Minister of Finance, while Waleed Shamlan Al-Bahar, Acting Director General of the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, signed ...

Agreements Signed to Develop Downstream Industries in Sohar and Salalah Muscat, 27 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- OQ, the global energy investment group, signed two strategic agreements today in Muscat with international partners MAK and Deepak, with combined investments exceeding RO 230 million. The agreements underpin the development of advanced downstream manufacturing projects in Sohar and Salalah, marking a structural shift in the utilisation of domestically produced feedstock. By enabling the conversion of primary resources into higher-value industrial products within Oman, the ...

MSX Gains 75 Points Muscat, 27 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX) main index closed higher today, gaining 1.23 percent. The MSX 30 Index concluded the trading session at 6,271.43 points, registering a rise of 75.9 points from the previous close of 6,195.49 points. Total trading turnover reached RO 68,178,967, reflecting a rise of 95.9 percent compared to the previous session's value of RO 34,800,528. MSX market report noted that the overall market capitalization went up by 0.433 percent from the last trading day to approximately RO 33.32 ...

Program Launched to Develop, Assemble a CubeSat Satellite Muscat, 27 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- Oman Lens announced, during its participation in the Middle East Space Conference 2026, the launch of a national program to develop and assemble a "CubeSat" satellite. The program aims to build national capabilities in satellite manufacturing through the development of a satellite enhanced with Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies. The launch of the program comes in cooperation with a group of academic institutions in the Sultanate of Oman, within the framework of the National Space ...

Oman's Oil Exports Surpass 307 Million Barrels by End of December 2025 Muscat, 27 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- The Sultanate of Oman’s oil exports recorded a slight decrease of 0.1% by the end of December 2025, reaching 307,960,900 barrels compared to 308,422,100 barrels during the same period in 2024, according to preliminary statistics issued by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI). The average price of oil recorded a 12.1% decline, standing at $71 per barrel by the end of December 2025, compared to $80.8 per barrel during the same period ...

Oman Oil Price Declines 70 Cents Muscat, 27 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- Oman oil price (March delivery 2026) today reached 62.85 US Dollars, comprising a decline by 70 Cents compared to the price of yesterday “Monday,” which was 63.55 US Dollars. The average price of Oman oil (January delivery 2026) stabilized at 64.44 US Dollars per barrel, thus 60 cents per barrel lower than December delivery 2025. ---Ends/AH ...

Meeting Reviews Updates on Al Rawdah Special Economic Zone Project Muscat, 26 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- Qais Mohammed Al Yousef, Chairman of the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones, met today at the Authority’s headquarters in Muscat Governorate with Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman and Group CEO of DP World. The meeting reviewed the latest developments in the Al Rawdah Special Economic Zone Project with DP World and the upcoming stages for implementing this strategic project. The meeting further touched on the executive steps for the first phase project ...

Middle East Space Conference Kicks Off in Muscat Muscat, 26 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- The second edition of the Middle East Space Conference, hosted by the Sultanate of Oman, began today at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre. As many as 500 experts and CEOs in the space sector from government agencies and private sector companies representing 30 countries, in addition to more than 85 speakers are taking part in the event. The opening of the conference was held under the patronage of HH Sayyid Dr. Kamil bin Fahad Al Said, Secretary General at the Secretariat General of the ...

MSX Gains 4 Points Muscat, 25 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX) main index closed higher today, gaining 0.07 percent. The MSX 30 Index concluded the trading session at 6,195.49 points, registering a rise of 4.4 points from the previous close of 6,191.05 points. Total trading turnover reached RO 34,800,528, reflecting a rise of 9.1 percent compared to the previous session's value of RO 31,896,550. MSX market report noted that the overall market capitalization went down by 0.195 percent from the last trading day to approximately RO 33.18 billion. The trading ...

Tender Results of Government Treasury Bills worth RO 9.7 Million Issued Muscat, 26 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- The total issuance of Government Treasury Bills amounted RO 9.7 million. The value of the allotted Treasury bills amounted to RO 5.2 million, for a maturity period of 28 days. The average accepted price reached RO 99.712 for every RO 100, and the minimum accepted price arrived at RO 99.710 per RO 100. The average discount rate and the average yield reached 3.76030% and 3.77119%, respectively. The value of the allotted Treasury bills amounted to RO 3 million, for a maturity ...

National Aviation Strategy 2040: A Roadmap for Sustainable, Competitive Aviation Future Muscat, 26 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) today, during its media briefing in Muscat, reviewed the National Aviation Strategy 2040 and the most prominent achievements it accomplished during 2025 in the fields of safety, security, air navigation, meteorology, digital transformation, and the development of the regulatory and operational infrastructure of the aviation sector. Eng. Naif Ali Al Abri, Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority, affirmed during the media ...

Oman Participates in Gulfood 2026 Exhibition in Dubai Dubai, 26 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- The Sultanate of Oman is currently participating in the 31st edition of the Gulfood exhibition "Gulfood 2026," which commenced today at the Dubai World Trade Centre and the Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. The event features participation from 195 countries and over 8,500 exhibitors and brands. Khalid Sulaiman Al Salhi, Director General of Marketing and Commercial Affairs at the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (Madayn), stated that the new ...

Usufruct Agreements Inked for Wind Turbine Plant at SEZAD Muscat, 26 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- The Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) signed today a usufruct agreement with Mawarid Turbine to establish a wind turbine manufacturing and assembly plant in the Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD), alongside two additional agreements to install six wind turbines to generate power required to operate the plant. The agreements were signed on behalf of OPAZ by Qais Mohammed Al Yousef, Chairman of OPAZ, and on behalf of Mawarid Turbine by Mustafa Mohammed Al ...

Oman Oil Price Rises 1.11 US Dollars Muscat, 26 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- Oman oil price (March delivery 2026) today reached 63.55 US Dollars, comprising a rise by 1.11 US Dollars, compared to the price of last Friday, which was 62.44 US Dollars. The average price of Oman oil (January delivery 2026) stabilized at 64.44 US Dollars per barrel, thus 60 cents per barrel lower than December delivery 2025. ---Ends/AH ...

Inflation Rate Rises in Oman by 1.6 Percent Muscat, 25 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- The general consumer price index in the Sultanate of Oman recorded an increase of 1.6 percent in December 2025 compared to the same month of 2024 (base year 2018). The average inflation for the period from January to December 2025 also rose by 1 percent. Data issued by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) showed that the category of Miscellaneous Goods and Personal Services topped the list of increases, recording a price rise of 10 percent. It was followed by the Transport category at ...

MSX Loses 23 Points Muscat, 25 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX) main index closed lower today, losing 0.73 percent. The MSX 30 Index concluded the trading session at 6,191.05 points, registering a decline of 23.1 points from the previous close of 6,214.18 points. Total trading turnover reached RO 31,896,550, reflecting a rise of 4.9 percent compared to the previous session's value of RO 30,405,455. MSX market report noted that the overall market capitalization went down by 0.055 percent from the last trading day to approximately RO 33.24 billion. The ...

Agreement Inked to Build Oman’s First Locally Manufactured Tugboat Muscat, 25 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- A strategic agreement to build Oman’s first locally manufactured tugboat for Oman LNG was signed today between Asyad Drydock, a subsidiary of Asyad Group, and Svitzer. The project is a key milestone for Oman’s maritime industry, strengthening national industrial and maritime capabilities by localizing high-value marine assets. The signing ceremony was held under the patronage of Abdulsalam Mohammed Al Murshidi, Chairman of Oman Investment Authority (OIA). The ceremony was ...

Oman Perfume Show Begins in Muscat Muscat, 22 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- The sixth edition of the Oman Perfume Show commenced today. Organized by Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC), the event features more than 200 exhibitors from local, regional, and international markets. The show reflects the rapid growth of the perfume industry in the Sultanate of Oman and strengthens its position as a premier destination for high-end aromatic products. The opening ceremony was held under the auspices of HH Dr. Basma Fakhri Al Said. The exhibition marked the launch of its new ...

Gold Prices Fall on Easing Geopolitical TensionsSingapore, 22 Jan (ONA) --- Gold prices fell today as geopolitical tensions eased and the dollar strengthened, reducing demand for safe-haven assets. Spot gold slipped 0.8% to $4,799.79 per ounce, after hitting a record high of $4,887.82 in the previous session. US gold futures for February delivery also declined 0.6% to $4,806.60 per ounce. As for other precious metals, Spot silver fell 0.9% to $92.38 per ounce, platinum dropped 2.7% to $2,415.60 per ounce, and palladium slipped 1% to $1,821.50, after reaching a one-week high in the previous ...

Dollar Holds Overnight Gains Tokyo, 22 Jan (ONA) --- The US dollar held on to overnight gains against major peers today. The US dollar held steady at $1.1685 per euro today, following a 0.3% rebound in the prior session. It was flat at 0.7953 Swiss franc after leaping 0.7% overnight. The risk-sensitive Aussie rose 0.4% to $0.6791, a level not seen since October 2024. It also hit the highest since July 2024 at 107.52 yen. The yen was steady against most major peers in Asian trading today, but at 184.83 a ...

MSX Gains 27 Points Muscat, 22 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX) main index closed higher today, gaining 0.44 percent. The MSX 30 Index concluded the trading session at 6,214.18 points, registering a rise of 27 points from the previous close of 6,187.19 points. Total trading turnover reached RO 30,405,455, reflecting a drop of 5.7 percent compared to the previous session's value of RO 32,239,868. MSX market report noted that the overall market capitalization went up by 0.146 percent from the last trading day to approximately RO 33.26 billion. The trading ...

Agreements Worth RO 1 Billion Signed to Develop CCGT Projects in Misfah, Duqm Muscat, 22 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- Nama Power and Water Procurement signed power purchase agreements with a Nebras-led consortium and a KOWEPO-led consortium for the development of combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power generation projects in Misfah and Duqm respectively, with a total investment value of approximately RO 1 billion. The signing ceremony was held under the auspices of Eng. Salim Nasser Al Aufi, Minister of Energy and Minerals. A Nebras-led consortium consists of Etihad Water and ...

Oman Participates in Meeting of Arab Finance Undersecretaries in Abu Dhabi Abu Dhabi, 22 Jan 2026 (ONA) — The Sultanate of Oman participated in the eleventh meeting of the Undersecretaries of Arab Ministries of Finance, held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, in the presence of representatives from the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. The meeting discussed several topics related to the role of fiscal policies, the prospects and opportunities for leveraging artificial intelligence ...

CBO Launches 80th, 81st Government Development Bonds Via Auction Method Muscat, 22 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- On behalf of the Government of Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank of Oman (CBO) announced the new issues of Government Development Bonds. Issue No.80 is worth RO 100 million, with a maturity period of 5 years and a coupon rate of 4.05% p.a. Meanwhile, issue No.81 is worth RO 25 million, with a maturity period of 10 years and a coupon rate of 4.30% p.a. Both issues will be opened for subscription from 25 to 29 January 2026 while ...

Preparatory Meeting Held for Launching Government Services Evaluation Survey Muscat, 22 Jan 2026 (ONA) — The National Centre for Statistics and Information today held a preparatory meeting with representatives of the government entities included in the public opinion survey evaluating government services. This meeting was convened in preparation for launching a new cycle of the survey, with the participation of approximately 80 participants representing 54 government entities, along with a number of specialists from the Centre. The meeting builds upon the results of ...

Oman Oil Price Rises 85 Cents Muscat, 22 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- Oman oil price (March delivery 2026) today reached 63.34 US Dollars, comprising a rise by 85 cents, compared to the price of yesterday “Wednesday” which was 62.49 US Dollars. The average price of Oman oil (January delivery 2026) stabilized at 64.44 US Dollars per barrel, thus 60 cents per barrel lower than December delivery 2025. ---Ends/AG ...

Oman Participates in FITUR 2026 in Spain Madrid, 21 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- The Sultanate of Oman participated today in the International Tourism Trade Fair, FITUR 2026, held in the Spanish capital, Madrid, from 21 to 25 January. The Omani delegation includes a number of institutions and companies operating in the travel and tourism sector, hotel establishments, and several strategic partners. Through its participation in FITUR 2026, the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism aims to strengthen Oman's presence in one of the world's largest travel and tourism exhibitions. It seeks to ...