The total foreign direct investment (FDI) in Oman reached $69.3 billion by the end of the third quarter of 2024, according to the latest data from the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI). This marks a 16.2% increase compared to the same period in 2023, when FDI stood at $59.8 billion. Inflows during this period amounted to $9.7 billion.
Preliminary statistics from the NCSI reveal that the oil and gas sector dominated FDI, accounting for 79.1% of the total, valued at $54.9 billion, with inflows of $8.96 billion.
Sector-wise Breakdown
- Manufacturing: Attracted $5.56 billion in FDI, with inflows of $1.9 billion.
- Financial Brokerage: Received $3.55 billion, representing 5.1% of total FDI.
- Real Estate, Rental, and Commercial Projects: Secured $2.52 billion in FDI.
- Transport, Storage, and Communications: Garnered $985.7 million, with inflows of $45.7 million.
- Electricity and Water: Recorded FDI of $839.4 million, accounting for 1.2%.
- Trade Sector: Received $558.6 million, representing 0.8%.
- Hotel and Restaurant Sector: Secured $280.4 million in FDI, accounting for 0.4%.
- Construction Sector: Attracted $33.8 million.
- Other Activities: Received $147.2 million in FDI.
Top Foreign Investors
The United Kingdom emerged as Oman’s largest investor, contributing 51.2% of total FDI at $35.4 billion. Other notable contributors include:
- United States: $13.6 billion.
- United Arab Emirates: $2.17 billion.
- Kuwait: $2.16 billion.
- China: $2.12 billion.
- Switzerland: $1.43 billion.
- Qatar: $1.27 billion.
- Bahrain: $980.2 million.
- Netherlands: $937.4 million.
- India: $746.6 million.
- Other Countries: Contributed a combined $8.38 billion.
Oman’s rising FDI inflows reflect the country’s efforts to attract investment and strengthen its economic sectors, particularly oil and gas, manufacturing, and financial services.
