and structure:

The Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion has issued a decision to prohibit a number of activities (approximately 123 commercial activities) for foreign investment, reserving them exclusively for Omani citizens, under the Executive Regulations of the Foreign Capital Investment Law issued pursuant to a Royal Decree.

For inquiries regarding the status of activities

List of Prohibited Activities:

1. Manufacture of Omani sweets

2. Tailoring, sewing, and knitting of traditional Omani men’s clothing

3. Tailoring, sewing, and knitting of non-traditional men’s clothing

4. Tailoring and sewing of traditional and non-traditional women’s clothing

5. Tailoring and sewing of sportswear

6. Tailoring and sewing of military uniforms

7. Manufacturing and tailoring of the Omani kumma (cap)

8. Tailoring and sewing of women’s abayas

9. Manufacture of Omani khanjars (daggers)

10. Transport and sale of drinking water

11. Vehicle electrical repairs and battery charging

12. Radiator repair and cleaning for vehicles

13. Tire and alloy wheel repair

14. Vehicle alignment (balancing)

15. Car wash and lubrication stations

16. Oil change services for vehicles

17. Car air conditioning repair

18. Exhaust system repair for cars and vehicles

19. Car cleaning and polishing

20. Wholesale of fruits and vegetables

21. Wholesale of cooking gas

22. LPG filling stations

23. Retail sale of fresh fruits, vegetables, and dates in specialized stores

24. Retail sale of honey in specialized stores

25. Vehicle fuel stations

26. Diesel fuel filling stations

27. Retail sale of telephones and accessories in specialized stores

28. Retail sale of mobile phones and accessories in specialized stores

29. Retail sale of souvenirs, antiques, and paintings in specialized stores

30. Retail sale of natural flowers and plants in specialized stores

31. Retail sale of pottery and handicrafts in specialized stores

32. Retail sale of cooking gas in specialized stores

33. Retail sale of silverware and gifts in specialized stores

34. Retail sale of licensed telecom service cards in specialized stores

35. Retail sale of traditional weapons in specialized stores

36. Retail sale of animal feed in specialized stores

37. Retail sale of bags in specialized stores

38. Retail sale of wedding supplies in specialized stores

39. Retail sale of fireworks in specialized stores

40. Retail sale of Omani khanjars in specialized stores

41. Retail sale of empty gas cylinders in specialized stores

42. Retail sale of wedding cards in specialized stores

43. Retail sale of handicraft products in specialized stores

44. Retail sale of beekeeping equipment in specialized stores

45. Transport of pilgrims and Umrah performers

46. Land transport of cooking gas cylinders by trucks

47. Loading and unloading goods

48. Customs clearance offices

49. Appraisal of scrapped vehicles

50. Insurance brokerage (commission-based)

51. Real estate brokerage (offices)

52. Recruitment agencies (manpower offices)

53. Employment agencies

54. General building cleaning services

55. Copying, printing, and document services

56. Transaction follow-up services (offices)

57. Installation and assembly of neon signs

58. Management and operation of fuel filling stations

59. Driving schools

60. Elderly care homes

61. Orphan care homes

62. Other library and archive activities

63. Laundry services for clothes and textiles (except in tourist establishments)

64. Clothes ironing services (except in tourist establishments)

65. Dry cleaning services (except in tourist establishments)

66. Men’s barbering and hairdressing (except in tourist establishments)

67. Women’s hairdressing and beauty services

68. Children’s barbering and hairdressing (except in tourist establishments)

69. Operation of poultry hatcheries (except large-scale projects)

70. Beekeeping and production of honey and beeswax

71. Marine fishing

72. Slaughtering and processing of poultry, rabbits, and birds (except large-scale projects)

73. Printing using copiers, computers, and other office machines (e.g., photocopiers, thermal copiers)

74. Transport and sale of non-potable water

75. Rental of cranes operated by an operator

76. Rental of other construction equipment operated by an operator

77. Rental of construction or demolition equipment operated by an operator

78. Wholesale of live animals (except large-scale projects)

79. Wholesale of fish and marine animals

80. Wholesale of fish products

81. Retail sale of meat and meat products in specialized stores

82. Retail sale of fish, other seafood, and seafood products in specialized stores

83. Retail sale of Omani sweets in specialized stores

84. Retail sale of slaughtered poultry in specialized stores

85. Retail sale of natural herbs in specialized stores

86. Retail sale of medicinal herbs in specialized stores

87. Retail sale of birds, pets, ornamental fish, and their supplies in specialized stores

88. Vehicle towing and recovery services

89. Purchase, sale, and subdivision of land and real estate

90. Management and leasing of owned or leased real estate (residential and non-residential)

91. Management of owned or leased buildings

92. Property valuation

93. Building management on a fee or contract basis

94. Management of homeowners’ associations

95. Pet care services

96. Manufacture of handicraft products by distilling flowers and herbs

97. Manufacture of handicraft products from frankincense for water and oil production

98. Manufacture of handicraft products from leather

99. Manufacture of handicraft products from palm fronds

100. Manufacture of handicraft products from wood

101. Manufacture and preparation of incense

102. Manufacture of handicraft cosmetic and perfume products

103. Manufacture of handicraft products from pottery and ceramics

104. Manufacture of handicraft products from stone and gypsum

105. Manufacture of handicraft products from silver

106. Manufacture of handicraft products from copper and metals

107. Manufacture of handicraft products from aluminum

108. Manufacture of handicraft fishing tools

109. Manufacture of handicraft products derived from bones

110. Skin care services

111. Rental of event equipment and furniture

112. Retail sale of scrap building materials, including scrap iron, in specialized stores

113. Retail sale of drinking water in specialized stores (excluding production and transport)

114. Cultivation of live plants for planting, landscaping, and seedlings (nurseries)

115. Sale of used vehicles

116. Mobile coffee shops

117. Freshwater aquaculture

118. Provision of P.O. box rental services

119. Public notary services

120. Sanad Service Centers

121. Management and operation of LPG filling stations (cooking gas)

122. Collection of used batteries and oils

123. Grocery stores

The list may be updated from time to time according to the Sultanate’s economic requirements and conditions.

Note: There are also activities that require partnership with an Omani investor.

Activities Allowed for Foreign Investors in the Sultanate of Oman:

The Foreign Capital Investment Law in the Sultanate of Oman allows 100% foreign ownership in companies. Foreign investors are permitted to invest in more than 2,000 commercial and industrial activities, which can be accessed through the Oman Business Platform.