Government and private institutions in Al Dhahirah Governorate operate through continuous, integrated strategies, implementing national visions and objectives, and highlighting the added value of achievements on the ground.
Important infrastructure projects continue to make progress in improving services and development initiatives. Among these is the opening of the water supply scheme from the Wilayat of Sohar to the Wilayat of Ibri, ensuring a sustainable supply to the Wilayats of Al Dhahirah Governorate and preserving strategic groundwater reserves. This will enhance the governorate’s investment value.
Al Dhahirah Governorate is implementing a set of development and service projects for 2023–2024. The current plan focuses on service, development, and recreational needs, such as paving and maintaining internal roads with a total length of 100 kilometres across the governorate’s Wilayats, and the dual carriageway and redevelopment of the business district in the Wilayat of Dank, extending 4.5 kilometres, which will boost commercial and tourism activity. Several initiatives are also being undertaken in collaboration with oil companies operating in the governorate, including the Al Nahda walkway in the Wilayat of Ibri, the Hamra Al Duroo walkway, the central slaughterhouse in the Wilayat of Ibri, and the Ibri Public Park project. These and other projects are being delivered under the governorate’s current plan.
In the healthcare sector of Al Dhahirah Governorate, 2023 saw an expansion in services to improve the quality of medical provision across government institutions. This includes Ibri Referral Hospital together with 18 primary healthcare centres distributed across villages and areas of the governorate’s Wilayats. This year also witnessed the launch of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, the activation of the Pre-Marriage Screening campaign, the implementation of a mental health programme in 20 schools, the introduction of a peer education programme in all 83 schools, continued efforts in the obesity prevention programme for targeted students, and the development of a chronic disease record.
Regarding the private sector, the Al Dhahirah branch of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry has approved a series of initiatives to advance entrepreneurship and enhance the business environment. The branch is contributing to 50 entrepreneurial projects for job seekers from university and college graduates in the governorate by providing support. It is also conducting 50 workshops and training courses to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the governorate.
In terms of investment and commercial activity, there are 13 projects in Ibri Industrial City, covering sectors such as oil and gas, construction materials, warehousing and logistics services, light and medium industries, manufacturing, and food production. The current investment volume in the industrial city stands at OMR1.35 billion.
The total area of Ibri Industrial City is 10 million square metres, with 3 million square metres allocated for the first phase. In 2023, 90% of the basic infrastructure was completed.
In housing and urban planning, the General Directorate of Housing and Urban Planning allocated 10 residential sites across the Wilayats of Al Dhahirah in 2023, providing 574 residential plots. In addition, 18 sites were approved for food security projects, including agricultural, livestock, and aquaculture uses. A further 10 usufruct contracts were signed for wheat cultivation projects.
In agriculture, livestock, and water resources, the General Directorate of Agriculture and Water Resources in Al Dhahirah Governorate has made significant efforts, recognising that these resources are crucial to food security. Under Oman Vision 2040, Oman aims to advance these sectors beyond self-sufficiency towards modern investment and export stages.
Statistics from the Agricultural Holdings Programme show that, as of June 2023, Al Dhahirah Governorate had 12,786 agricultural and livestock holdings: 10,256 agricultural holdings and 2,530 livestock holdings in the Wilayats of Ibri, Yanqul, and Dhank. The Directorate continues to monitor usufruct lands designated for food security and investment projects while building a database of all investment lands. Several agricultural investment contracts have been signed, focusing on water availability and soil fertility to ensure project success.
The number of wheat farmers reached 474 in 2023. The total area of wheat farms in Al Dhahirah Governorate is 245 acres, producing over 250 tonnes of wheat with an average yield of 2.77 tonnes per acre. At the beginning of 2023, the Directorate provided advanced harvesting machinery to save time and effort and to facilitate modern methods.
The heritage and tourism sector in Al Dhahirah Governorate has recently witnessed growth and increased investment in hospitality. The number of hotels, guesthouses, and eco-lodges rose to 35 in 2023, compared with 20 in 2021 – a 75% increase.