Saturday 15 / November / 2025
Salalah: The Dhofar Governorate is moving forward in the renewed Omani Renaissance, embodying a living model of developmental transformation in accordance with the “Oman 2040” vision, where public, private and community efforts are integrated to consolidate comprehensive development.
The focus is on investing in human beings and resources to make the governorate an active centre that contributes to diversifying the national economy and a promising destination for innovation and sustainability.
His Highness Sayyid Marwan bin Turki Al Said, Governor of Dhofar, said that the development projects and quality investments in the governorate come as a translation of the supreme directives of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to make the governorate the nucleus and foundation of development, and a reflection of the national vision towards achieving comprehensive and sustainable development in all fields.
His Highness said that on the occasion of the National Day of the Sultanate of Oman and the (281) anniversary of the founding of the Al Busaidi State which has extended over the centuries, laid the foundations of the modern state on the basis of unity, justice and joint action, and today, under the wise leadership of His Majesty, we continue the journey of achieving the goals of the “Oman 2040” vision.
His Highness explained that the Dhofar Governorate has witnessed rapid progress in recent years in the economic, public services and infrastructure sectors, noting the implementation of quality projects in the fields of roads, housing, health, education, energy, tourism and the environment, which enhances the quality of life and consolidates the governorate’s position as an economic and strategic hub on the Arabian Sea.
His Highness pointed out that the Dhofar Governorate launched its comprehensive strategy, institutional identity and communication strategy, and achieved first place among the governorates of the Sultanate of Oman in the institutional performance evaluation for the year 2024, in addition to a number of advanced positions in several fields, including digital transformation.
The Dhofar Autumn Season 2025 was crowned with the praise of the Council of Ministers, chaired by His Majesty, for the second time in a row for the success of the season, in addition to the season winning the award for the distinguished Arab tourist destination for the year 2025.
The Dhofar Municipality also won a number of national and international awards in many fields, including institutional excellence and smart cities.
His Highness explained that the tourism sector witnessed remarkable growth, with the number of visitors to the Dhofar Khareef season exceeding one million visitors for the years 2024 and 2025, an increase of 11.3 percent compared to the previous year, in addition to the implementation of development projects in tourist sites and waterfronts in a number of wilayats, including the Al-Hafa area projects, Al-Rathath Boulevard and natural views in the states of Salalah, Mirbat , Rakhyut, and Dhalkut, and laying the foundation stone for the Visitors Centre project and the Wadi Dawkah Nature Reserve Factory for Frankincense Trees.
In the transport and logistics sector, His Highness affirmed that Salalah Airport continues to achieve positive growth indicators that reflect the governorate's rising status as a tourist and economic destination.
He explained that the total number of arriving and departing flights through Salalah Airport during the period from January 1 to September 30, 2025, amounted to 9,217, compared to 8,938 flights for the same period in 2024, recording an increase of 3.1 percent. Meanwhile, the total number of arriving and departing passengers amounted to 1,376,518 passengers, compared to 1,268,959 passengers for the same period last year, with a relative increase of 8.5 percent.
His Highness added that the Dhofar Khareef Season 2025 also witnessed a remarkable increase in air traffic and tourism, as the number of incoming flights during the period from June 21 to September 21 reached 2,226, compared to 1,996 flights in the previous season, an increase of 12 percent.
Meanwhile, the number of arriving and departing passengers reached 710,286 passengers, compared to 628,786 passengers in the 2024 season, an increase of 13 percent, stressing that these figures reflect a growing confidence in the tourism assets and infrastructure that the governorate enjoys.
His Highness stated that the Dhofar Governorate is working on implementing projects that contribute to enhancing its logistical capabilities, including the completion of the expansion of the container terminal at the Port of Salalah.
This expansion will increase its handling capacity from 4.5 million TEUs to 6.5 million TEUs annually, at an investment cost exceeding OMR115 million.
The expansion project, managed by APM Terminals, includes upgrading all six existing berths and expanding the container yard, thus strengthening the Port of Salalah's position as a major regional hub for accessing markets in the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent, and East Africa.
In support of vital service projects that contribute to improving the quality of life and enhancing the infrastructure in the governorate, His Highness said that the governorate witnessed during this year the opening of the first phase of the sewage network project in the Ayn Sahalnut area in the state of Salalah at a cost of OMR45 million, implemented by Nama Services in partnership with a number of private entities, in addition to the completion of the project to expand the treated water network in the state of Salalah.
His Highness added that the project to establish the main Tawi Atair electricity distribution station in the Mirbat was also completed at a cost of OMR9 million, in addition to the construction of a water reservoir with a capacity of two million gallons in the state, in support of the water supply system and to meet the needs of urban expansion.
In the roads sector, His Highness explained that the Dhofar Governorate witnessed the implementation of a number of vital projects that contributed to strengthening road networks and improving the transport infrastructure, pointing to the opening of the Ittin Tunnel project in the Wilayat of Salalah this year, and the inauguration of the (Arjot-Sarfit) mountain road in the Wilayat of Dhalkut with a length of 13.5 kilometres, in addition to the completion of the (Shasr - Khadhf) road with a length of 26 kilometres in 2024, as well as the implementation of projects to construct and pave internal and dual roads with a length of more than 300 kilometres in various Wilayats of the Governorate at a cost of more than OMR36 million.
His Highness pointed out that work is underway on a number of strategic projects, including the (Harweeb - Al Mazyouna - Meten) road, which is 210 kilometres long and has reached a completion rate of 78 percent, and the asphalt road network in the state of Muqshin, which is 170 kilometres long and has reached a completion rate of 73 percent, in addition to starting to implement the remaining three parts of the Sultan Said bin Taimur dual carriageway, which is 400 kilometres long, from the state of Haima in the Al Wusta Governorate to the state of Thumrait in the Dhofar Governorate.
His Highness explained that the projects currently being implemented also include the (Saih Al Khairat - Al Shisr) road with a completion rate of 21 percent, the dual carriageway of Al Farouq Street in Salalah with a length of 7.6 kilometres with a completion rate of 86 percent, the dual carriageway of Sultan Taimur Street with a length of 6.8 kilometres with a completion rate of 78 percent, the Al Mughsayl road and bridge project with a completion rate of 49 percent, in addition to the dual carriageway of the (Raysut - Al Mughsayl) road with a length of 33 kilometres and a completion rate exceeding 14 percent.
His Highness pointed out that the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology has begun implementing the project to improve the Al-Shuwaimiyah mountain pass in the Wilayat of Shalim and the Hallaniyat Islands at a cost exceeding OMR3 million, stressing that there are future projects under preparation, most notably the (Al-Shasr - Baythana - Al-Hashman) road project in the Wilayat of Thumrait, which will enhance the connection between the governorate’s wilayats and contribute to stimulating economic and tourism activity.
His Highness said that the governorate pays special attention to the environment, renewable energy and green economy sectors, as it is witnessing the implementation of quality projects in the fields of wind energy, green hydrogen and solar energy, most notably the Dhofar (1 and 2) and Sadah wind power generation stations, the green ammonia station and green hydrogen projects in cooperation with the “Hydrome” company.
In the economic and investment sector, His Highness the Governor of Dhofar confirmed that the total investments in the Salalah Free Zone rose to OMR5.1 billion by the end of September 2025, a significant increase over last year, noting the signing of a number of qualitative agreements in the food, green energy and chemical industries sectors worth more than OMR370 million.
His Highness explained that the free zone is witnessing the implementation of 20 industrial and logistical projects with investments exceeding OMR900 million, and has attracted investments from more than 20 countries, which reflects the growing confidence in the investment environment in the governorate.
His Highness added that efforts are continuing to strengthen the industrial infrastructure and logistical link with the port and airport of Salalah, in addition to the transition towards a green economy through renewable energy projects and battery materials, and the implementation of social responsibility programmes aimed at empowering youth and supporting small and medium enterprises.
His Highness pointed out that the governorate is witnessing the implementation of major strategic projects, including the expansion of Raysut Industrial City by an area of 5 million square metres, and the establishment of Thumrait Industrial City at a cost of OMR12 million, in addition to the expansion in logistics areas and strengthening the link between Salalah Port, the free zone, the airport and border crossings.
His Highness explained that Raysut Industrial City continues to strengthen its position as a leading industrial platform in the south of the Sultanate of Oman, where the volume of cumulative investments until the middle of 2025 reached about OMR624 million with a growth rate of 3 percent, and the number of projects increased to 200 projects.
His Highness added that during the current year, 12 new projects were established with investments amounting to OMR27 million, most of them in the food and pharmaceutical industries, with an occupancy rate of 81 percent of the developed areas.
Regarding the role of the Chamber branch and the private sector in the governorate, His Highness pointed out that the branch of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Dhofar Governorate plays an important role in supporting the private sector and strengthening partnership with government agencies, indicating that the branch organized 21 economic meetings this year that brought together business owners with officials and diplomats, in addition to implementing 14 training programmes and workshops in the fields of entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence, negotiation and modern management.
His Highness explained that the Chamber contributed to organising 19 economic and investment events and exhibitions, most notably the Al Mazyuna Economic Forum and the Labour Forum 2025, which reflects Dhofar’s growing presence in the national and regional economic arena.
The Governor highlighted that the governorate is witnessing the implementation of major strategic projects, including the expansion of the Raysut Industrial City, covering an area of 5 million square meters, and the establishment of the Thumrait Industrial City, with a cost of OMR 12 million.
In the mining sector, the Governor emphasized that the Al-Shuwaymiyah project for industrial minerals is one of the promising projects that reflects the Sultanate of Oman's direction towards diversifying income sources and enhancing the utilization of national wealth.
In the health sector, the Governor noted that the new Sultan Qaboos Hospital in Salalah project, with a cost of OMR 138 million, has reached an advanced stage of completion, with a progress rate exceeding 77%. Additionally, several health centers and hospitals have been opened or are under construction.
In the education sector, the Governor highlighted the governorate's efforts to develop its educational and research infrastructure, including the establishment of advanced laboratories at the University of Technology and Applied Sciences in Salalah and new educational schools.
The Governor also emphasized the importance of the tourism sector, which has seen significant growth in recent years, with the Khareef Dhofar Festival playing a major role in attracting visitors to the region.
In the housing and urban planning sector, the Governor noted that the total value of real estate transactions in the governorate reached OMR 147 million in 2025, with the completion of 179 housing assistance projects.
In the food security sector, the Governor noted that work has begun on establishing an integrated center for collecting, sorting, and marketing agricultural products in the Najd region, as well as the "Najd Agricultural City" project and the frankincense project (White Gold Reserve) in Thumrait Governorate. Additionally, efforts are being made to localize the cultivation of turmeric, ginger, and Arabica coffee in the governorates of Salalah, Taqah, Rakhyut, and Dalkut. A partnership agreement has also been signed between the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism and Amwaj Perfumes to develop the Wadi Dawkah site, which is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and to revive the frankincense industry in Oman.
The Governor added that Dhofar Governorate has witnessed the signing of 60 agricultural lease contracts and projects for wheat cultivation during the period 2023-2025, along with the follow-up of 23 investment projects under construction in the Najd region and Salalah Governorate. Furthermore, a tissue culture laboratory and a tourist agricultural nursery are being implemented in Salalah.
In the livestock sector, the Governor mentioned a project to establish a camel cheese factory to enhance the value chain of camel milk and its derivatives in Rakhyut Governorate, supporting women producers in the governorate with funding from the Al-Jisr Foundation for Charitable Work. Ten projects in the livestock sector were also signed as part of the Food Security Lab 2024 outputs, in addition to offering 16 investment opportunities through the Tathmir platform and five prepared opportunities for 2025.
In the fisheries sector, the Governor pointed out that five projects are being implemented in the governorate with a total cost of OMR 11.5 million, including the construction of two fishing ports in the Hasik and Hadbeen areas of Sadah Governorate, as well as the construction of an administrative building and a services building at the fishing port in the Al-Hallaniyat Islands. The design and implementation of the Raysut fishing port development project are also underway, along with consultancy services for designing a fishing port in the Al-Fazayah area of Rakhyut Governorate.
In the water resources sector, the Governor explained that two dams have been completed this year to protect against flood risks in the Wadi Anfar and Wadi Adwan areas of Salalah Governorate, and the lateral protection of Salalah Port, with a total cost of OMR 47 million. Additionally, a project to update the groundwater mathematical model in the Najd region has been completed, and work is ongoing on updating and preparing flood risk maps and emergency management plans.
In the culture, sports, and youth sector, the Governor added that the Directorate General of Culture, Sports, and Youth in the governorate has implemented various programs and events during the current year, benefiting over 96,000 people, including approximately 2,900 beneficiaries from sports centers in the governorates. The completion rate of the sports center projects in Dalkut and Al-Mazyunah governorates has reached 95%.
The Governor emphasized that efforts are ongoing to develop the cultural and sports environment that supports youth empowerment and showcases their creative talents. In terms of social development efforts, the Governor noted that the number of beneficiaries of social development committee assistance in the governorate has reached approximately 1,820 citizens, and over 73,000 people have benefited from volunteer team initiatives in the governorate.
In the field of Awqaf and religious affairs, the Governor said that the Directorate General of Awqaf and Religious Affairs in Dhofar Governorate continues its efforts to develop mosques and enhance charitable endowments, with six new mosques added, bringing the total number of mosques and prayer halls to over 851. The directorate also rebuilt four main mosques and added a new Quran school, bringing the total number of schools to 20, serving approximately 5,600 students.
The Governor concluded by emphasizing that Dhofar Governorate is moving forward with confidence in implementing its comprehensive development plans, which will further enhance Dhofar's position as a leading development hub and a cornerstone in Oman's renaissance.
