MUSCAT: Oman’s industrial sector has achieved a significant milestone in 2024, recording exceptional growth in Omanisation rates from January to November. The sector exceeded its national workforce employment targets by an impressive 5.5 per cent, employing 1,708 Omanis, including 1,145 men and 563 women.
Data released by the Ministry of Labour highlight that the total number of Omanis employed in the industrial sector reached 30,993 by the end of November 2024, far surpassing the initial goal of employing 1,000 Omanis within the year.
Dr Ahmed bin Khalfan al Badawi, Director of the Industrial Strategy Implementation and Evaluation Department and Head of the Employment Portfolio Team at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, underscored the ministry’s strategic commitment to prioritising the localisation of technical and specialised roles in the industrial sector.
He noted that efforts are focused on elevating professional competencies and advancing the technical skills of Oman’s national workforce. This initiative is aligned with the ministry’s broader vision of investing in local talent, reflected in the execution of 265 initiatives in collaboration with development stakeholders.
In a statement to the Oman News Agency (ONA), Dr Al Badawi highlighted the positive outcomes resulting from the Royal endorsement of the Industrial Strategy 2040, which was launched mid-2024. This strategy encompasses 265 initiatives, of which 125 are directly linked to the ministry’s sectors, constituting approximately 47 per cent of the total. The remaining 140 initiatives are distributed among other relevant entities.
Dr Al Badawi revealed that the ministry has commenced workshops with these entities to elaborate on the objectives and implementation plans of these initiatives. The focus is on fostering high-tech industries, encouraging entrepreneurship and innovation, and refining governance and management within the industrial development framework.
Dr Al Badawi further elaborated on the ministry’s emphasis on promising sectors, including resource-based industries, which comprise three industrial clusters spanning 15 sub-industries, capital-intensive industries with two clusters covering nine sub-industries and knowledge-driven industries with two clusters encompassing five sub-industries.
He stressed that these sectors represent pivotal strategic priorities for advancing the industrial sector’s growth.
The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion remains steadfast in its collaboration with key stakeholders through governance committees to ensure alignment of job localisation efforts with the objectives of the National Employment Programme.
Utilising the 'Tawteen' platform, the ministry aims to meet employment targets across all economic sectors by harnessing the potential of Oman’s educational and vocational outputs and attracting specialised national talent.
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