The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology of Oman reported that by the end of the first half of 2026, the total value of domestic content in the ministry's road projects has reached over 200 million Omani Rials (OMR). The average ratio of domestic content in these projects has been over 60 percent of the total project costs during this period.
Ministry of Transport's Priorities in Increasing Domestic Content
Engineer Mohammed Salim Al-Hasai, domestic content expert at the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, emphasized that the ministry has prioritized improving domestic content in its projects. This initiative is carried out through a set of requirements and measures during contract signing for project execution, including creating job opportunities for Omanis and purchasing products and services from the local market.
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This approach includes operations, procurement, production, job granting, knowledge transfer, developing national institutions, and building technical and administrative capabilities that benefit the national economy from project costs.
The Role of Road Projects in Economic Development
Ongoing road projects across the provinces of Oman are one of the most important areas where domestic content opportunities are clearly visible. Al-Hasai pointed out that about 1,500 Omanis are directly employed in the ongoing road projects.
He also stated that the participation of the national workforce is not limited to creating job opportunities, but also includes skill development and delegating essential responsibilities in supervision, execution, and project management. This helps strengthen the experiences and capabilities of Omanis to take on more specialized roles in the future.
Almost 70 percent of the materials used in road projects in Oman are produced domestically, with a value reaching 80 million Omani Rials by the end of the first half of 2026. Al-Hasai emphasized that increasing reliance on national products that comply with technical standards and approved specifications supports the local industry and strengthens the supply chain related to construction and infrastructure.
Support for Small and Medium Enterprises
Over 95 percent of the goods used in road projects are purchased from the local market, either directly or through local suppliers and small and medium enterprises. This approach has helped expand the stakeholder base from project costs and supports entities active in procurement, services, and ancillary works.
By the end of the first half of 2026, the value of contracts awarded to small and medium enterprises in road project contracts reached over 50 million Omani Rials, accounting for more than 10 percent of total costs. This granting of work allows national entities to develop their technical, administrative, and financial capabilities and gain practical experience.
Overall, the criteria for measuring domestic content in road projects are based on a set of indicators related to employment, procurement, use of domestic products, and granting work to Omani institutions. These indicators are significant as they measure the economic impact of projects in a way that goes beyond the volume of direct costs.
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