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Oman steps up decentralisation efforts to empower governorates

Saturday, 13 December 2025 19:07

Muscat – Oman’s drive towards balanced regional development is gaining momentum with the Ministry of Economy reaffirming that empowered governorates and integrated economic clusters are pillars central of the country’s Five-Year Plans. According to Said bin Rashid al Qutbi, Director General of Social Sectors, this approach is reshaping local economies and strengthening the foundations for […]

Muscat – Oman’s drive towards balanced regional development is gaining momentum with the Ministry of Economy reaffirming that empowered governorates and integrated economic clusters are pillars central of the country’s Five-Year Plans.

According to Said bin Rashid al Qutbi, Director General of Social Sectors, this approach is reshaping local economies and strengthening the foundations for sustainable nationwide growth.

Qutbi said the Ministry of Economy has adopted a methodology that ensures governorates are engaged from the earliest stages of planning. “This approach aims to align development programmes with real community needs, enhance the capacity of governorates to harness their local resources, and maximise their economic returns.”

He added that the active involvement of stakeholders – including entrepreneurs, the private sector and municipal councils – has significantly contributed to shaping clear development visions, identifying challenges and formulating practical programmes to address these.

Qutbi explained that the current Five-Year Plan includes ten major programmes dedicated to governorates, focusing on the development of integrated economic clusters and linking promising sectors with each governorate’s unique strengths.

This helps ensure a more balanced distribution of investment opportunities and supports Oman’s wider economic diversification efforts. The programmes span tourism, industry, services, trade, agriculture, fisheries and innovation, in addition to community-focused initiatives that enhance local well-being.

He noted that more than 1,061 projects have been implemented under the Governorates Development Programme, contributing to strengthened economic infrastructure, development of tourism sites, enhanced commercial activity, job creation and the narrowing of development gaps between governorates. The efforts have also eased economic pressures on the sultanate by redistributing activities and opportunities across all regions.

Qutbi stressed that the participatory approach has become a cornerstone of development work in Oman, strengthening governorates’ ownership of their plans, reinforcing community engagement, and granting local authorities a more effective role in shaping and implementing development initiatives.

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