Oman defines a list of activities in which foreign investment is prohibited

The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion in the Sultanate of Oman issued a ministerial decision defining the list of activities in which foreign investment is prohibited, and limiting it to the Omani investor only.

The ministry said that the decision aims to find a balance between attracting qualitative investments and encouraging projects of entrepreneurs, in light of the priority the government attaches to empowering small and medium enterprises that enhance the Omani economy.

  The Omani investor can invest in all activities in which foreign investment is prohibited. The decision also aims to provide opportunities for small and medium-sized projects owned by Omanis in these sectors and to ensure that projects and activities related to national identity and Omani heritage are not affected.

  This list will be updated according to the circumstances of each stage to keep pace with economic developments.

95 activities for Omanis

The decision added 27 activities within the activities designated for Omani investors only, and foreign investors are prohibited from practicing them.

  The activities of "specialized rehabilitation centers" and the activity of "rehabilitation houses" were also removed from the list where foreign investors can invest, bringing their total number to (95) activities for Omanis.

The new prohibited activities are:

1- Operating poultry hatcheries - except for projects with large production capacity.

2- And the activity of beekeeping and the production of honey and beeswax.

3- Marine fishing activity.

4- The activity of slaughtering and preparing poultry, rabbits and birds, except for projects with large production capacity.

5- Printing activity using copiers, computers and other office machines such as photo copiers or thermal copiers.

6- The activity of transporting and selling non-potable water.

7- The activity of renting cranes operated by a worker, the activity of renting other construction machinery and equipment operated by a worker, and the activity of renting construction or demolition equipment operated by a worker.

Activities prohibited for foreigners to work in the Sultanate of Oman:

1- Wholesale activity of live livestock, except for projects with large production capacity

2- Wholesale activity of fish and marine animals.

3- Wholesale activity of fish products.

4- Retail activity in stores specializing in meat and meat products Retail activity in stores specializing in fish and other seafood and its products.

5- Retail activity in stores specializing in natural herbs and retail activity in stores specializing in medicinal herbs.

6- Retail activity in stores specializing in birds, pets, ornamental fish and their accessories.

7- The activity of buying and selling lands and real estate and dividing them.

8- The activity of managing and renting owned or rented real estate (residential and non-residential) Building management activity (owned or leased).

9- Property valuation activity and building management activity (on the basis of a fee or contract). Real estate owners associations management activity.

10- The activity of pet care services for Omani citizens.