The South Al Batinah Governorate recorded significant growth in the number of new commercial registrations last year, reaching 3,396 compared to 3,163 in 2024, representing a growth rate of 7.4 percent. This brings the total cumulative number of commercial registrations to 28,669 by the end of the year.
Tariq bin Nasser Al Harrasi, Director of the Department of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion in the South Al Batinah Governorate, stated that the indicators recorded during 2025 reflect the dynamism of economic activity in the governorate and the growing confidence of investors in the business environment. He pointed out that the increase in the number of commercial and industrial registrations and licenses resulted from the development of digital services, the simplification of procedures, and the strengthening of partnerships with the private sector.
He emphasized the continued efforts to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and stimulate quality investments that contribute to diversifying the economic base and creating sustainable job opportunities, in line with the objectives of the National Vision. He explained that Barka Governorate topped the list in the number of new commercial registrations with a total of 2,490 in 2025, followed by Rustaq Governorate with 377, Al Musannah Governorate with 320, Nakhl Governorate with 95, Wadi Al Maawil Governorate with 63, and Al Awabi Governorate with 51. This reflects the growing pace and diversification of economic activity across the governorate's various districts.
Regarding commercial licenses, the Director of the Department of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion in South Al Batinah Governorate stated that the governorate issued 39,265 commercial licenses in 2025, bringing the cumulative total to 93,692. The number of completed automatic licenses reached 45,213 during the same year, bringing the cumulative total to 114,610. This confirms the rise in commercial activity and strengthens investor and entrepreneur confidence in the digital services provided. Regarding industrial licenses, 3,851 industrial licenses were issued during 2025, bringing the cumulative total to 12,626 by the end of the year. Barka topped the list with 2,178 industrial licenses, followed by Al Musannah with 615, Ar Rustaq with 557, Nakhl with 237, Wadi Al Maawil with 169, and Al Awabi with 95. This reflects the breadth and diversity of the industrial base across the governorate's wilayats.
In terms of investment, 301 investment licenses were issued during 2025, bringing the cumulative total to 2,951. This demonstrates the continued efforts to attract investment, promote project growth, and enhance integration between the public and private sectors. The Director of the Department of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion in South Al Batinah Governorate added that the department conducted 5,998 inspection and monitoring visits to various establishments in the governorate during 2025, compared to 3,736 visits in 2024. These campaigns included verifying the calibration of fuel pumps at all 953 fuel stations in the governorate, while 214 visits were made to Sanad service centers to enhance and improve the services they provide.
South Al Batinah Governorate continues to solidify its position as a promising economic destination in the Sultanate of Oman, benefiting from its strategic geographic location and the diversity of its commercial, industrial, and investment activities, amidst growing economic momentum during 2025. This growth reflects the effectiveness of policies supporting the development of the business environment and enhancing its attractiveness to investments, as well as encouraging entrepreneurs and institutions to expand their activities, thus contributing to supporting economic diversification and achieving balanced and sustainable economic development.
