The Governorate of Al Dakhiliyah leverages its strengths, including rich tourism and archaeological assets, biological diversity, high-quality agricultural seasons, and industrial cities designed to attract investments both domestically and internationally, alongside promising commercial opportunities.
In 2023, notable investment projects in the governorate included: • Establishing and operating a fully integrated commercial centre in Bisyah, Wilayat of Bahla. • Creating and operating a comprehensive tourism and entertainment complex in the Hail Al Yemen area of the Wilayat of Jebel Akhdar. • Developing the integrated Nizwa public bus and taxi station under a design–build–finance–operate–transfer (DBFOT) model.
Further projects expected to emerge soon include the Nizwa Grand Project and the development of the Wilayat of Jebel Akhdar, spearheaded by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning in partnership with the Governorate of Al Dakhiliyah and other government institutions.
In the realm of park and greenery development, several tenders have been launched for enhancing parks and afforestation activities across various Wilayats of Al Dakhiliyah. Two sites have been designated for investment in creating and operating integrated commercial centres and markets for handicrafts and local products in the Wilayats of Bahla and Jebel Akhdar. The governorate is also working on improving roads to facilitate access to tourist sites and preparing archaeological sites for visitors.
The governorate places significant emphasis on tourism due to its unique natural, historical, and cultural landmarks, making it a year-round destination for visitors from both within Oman and abroad. Jebel Akhdar, with its mild climate and striking geological features, is one of the most prominent attractions. Recently, the village of Al Sujarah in Jebel Akhdar has been developed as a tourist hub, particularly for adventure tourism.
The Oman Across Ages Museum in the Wilayat of Manah, Al Dakhiliyah Governorate, stands as an architectural icon, introducing visitors to Oman’s history, its renaissance, and the transformative journey from past to present and into the future.
In the industrial sector, the governorate hosts Nizwa and Sumail Industrial Cities. Nizwa Industrial City includes 166 projects with investments totalling OMR471 million, covering an area of 7.1 million square metres. Sumail Industrial City has 156 projects with investments of around OMR155 million and spans 11.9 million square metres.
From 1 October 2022 to 12 October 2023, 182 limited liability companies were registered in the governorate, and 244 investment licences were issued.
In 2023, a workshop was organised to explore investment opportunities in Al Dakhiliyah across various sectors, including agriculture, industry, tourism, heritage, and municipal services. The workshop, held in collaboration with the Oman Investment Authority, the Nizwa Prosperity Programme, and several investors, was supported by the Al Dakhiliyah branch of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It aimed to identify and address investment opportunities and challenges, compile agreed results from participating sectors, and present the outcomes and best opportunities to the relevant authorities.
In the health sector, the Ministry of Health inaugurated the expansion of Nizwa Hospital in 2023, with a total cost of OMR30 million. The project increased the hospital’s capacity to over 555 beds and added eight new buildings with a total area of about 45,000 square metres, housing 260 facilities.
Regarding environmental initiatives, the Environment Authority is implementing several projects in Al Dakhiliyah. These include supporting the Sustainable Development Goals, enhancing afforestation, and expanding green areas through the National Initiative to Plant 10 Million Wild Trees. The Authority is also documenting and preserving ancient wild trees, conducting research for wildlife conservation (including field surveys of vegetation and fauna), and developing and managing natural reserves. It is also focused on utilising existing reserves in the governorate, such as the Western Hajar Starlight Reserve and the Jebel Akhdar Scenic Reserve.