Sunday 08 / February / 2026
Muscat: HH Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, today graced the inauguration of the fourth edition of the "Together Moving Forward" forum.
The annual forum, convened by the Secretariat General of the Council of Ministers, is held in fulfilment of the Royal directives of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to strengthen the dialogue between government and society and to actively listen to the views, proposals, and aspirations of citizens across all fields.
The two-day event is attended by HH Sayyid Bilarab bin Haitham Al Said, Minister of State and Governor of Muscat, alongside a distinguished assembly of Their Highnesses, Excellencies, dignitaries, and forum participants.
The forum’s agenda features several pivotal discussion and dialogue sessions centered on themes of vital societal interest that contribute to holistic national development. Key topics include the "Oman Vision 2040", investment opportunities within priority economic sectors, and governorate-level development and its role in catalyzing investment. The forum will also witness the announcement of the winning teams in the "Ideas Makers – Hamat" programme.
In his keynote address, Sheikh Al Fadhl bin Mohammed Al Harthy, Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers, stated, "The 'Together Moving Forward' forum stands as an annual milestone for national dialogue and an effective platform to present the ideas and visions generated in its previous editions. Many of these have since been translated into concrete initiatives and projects, embodying the spirit of partnership that underpins this forum and advancing our shared principle: 'With you and alongside you, we progress."
He added that the preparatory phase for this edition saw widespread engagement from the public, both in proposing discussion themes and in voting on them—a clear reflection of a growing public consciousness regarding the crucial role of society in shaping the nation’s future priorities. According to results announced in October 2025, the theme concerning the "Oman Vision 2040" garnered the highest percentage of votes, while the labour market and employment theme ranked foremost among those proposed by citizens.
Al Harthy noted the significant public interest in the forum, with approximately 8,600 participants registered via its electronic platform and over 2,000 citizens selected to attend the sessions in person. The selection criteria were designed to ensure broad societal representation and to reflect the aspirations of all community segments.
Responding to requests from participants in previous editions, he announced during the forum that His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik has graciously endorsed the proposal to host the "Together Moving Forward" forum on a rotational basis across Oman's governorates. Accordingly, the principal forum will convene in Muscat Governorate to deliberate strategic national issues, with the following year dedicated to focused dialogue meetings in other governorates to address localized developmental priorities. The topics for these governorates’ meetings will be determined by the residents of each governorate through a dedicated digital platform.
The forum’s first day is dedicated to strategic themes integral to comprehensive national development. The opening session examines the "Oman Vision 2040: Achievements and Future Prospects," while the second session explores investment prospects in priority economic sectors, including manufacturing, tourism, and the digital economy. An extended evening dialogue session was also held with Their Highnesses and the Governors to discuss the role of governorates in fostering local economic growth and enhancing investment.
Al Harthy noted that, within the ongoing effort to fortify trust and partnership between society and the government, the "Ideas Makers – Hamat" initiative has been launched in collaboration with the Oman Investment Authority (OIA). The initiative aims to incubate creative concepts and translate them into actionable projects across three primary tracks: enhancing tourism experiences, developing solutions for challenges faced by state-owned companies, and fostering research and innovation in localizing advanced technologies. Participation in the initiative exceeded 1,400 teams from across the Sultanate of Oman’s governorates, with nine teams selected for the final round of competition. The winning teams will be announced on the following day.
He also highlighted that a public exhibition, running concurrently with the forum over its two-day duration, will showcase a range of national efforts and institutional milestones, underscoring successful models of partnership between government bodies and the private sector.
During the first dialogue session, titled "Oman Vision 2040: Achievements and Future Prospects," Dr. Khamis bin Saif Al Jabri, Minister of Economy, affirmed that every government entity has a clear implementation plan aligned with Oman Vision 2040 and is recording positive progress across the Vision’s various indicators.
He added, "A dedicated national program for private sector development has been established to diagnose the sector’s challenges and identify enabling measures to elevate its role."
The minister further stated that establishing effective linkages between job requirements in key economic sectors and student qualification remains a priority, alongside expanding specialized training programs in the coming phase. He also noted measurable progress in the gradual succession planning for leadership roles within private sector institutions—spanning senior and mid-level management, as well as professional and technical career paths.
In his address during the forum’s first discussion session, Dr. Said bin Mohammed Al Saqri, Economic Advisor at the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, outlined the Office’s role in enhancing and accelerating the competitiveness of the Omani economy. He emphasized the critical importance of forward-looking strategic leadership amid ongoing global economic shifts.
He underscored the significance of establishing financial centers, citing their role in improving liquidity, facilitating global trade flows, and attracting foreign direct investment—particularly in financing activities. He identified several key success factors, including the presence of robust equity, bond, and commodity markets, a supportive regulatory framework, and a skilled, specialized workforce.
He also noted that the current five-year plan commences under markedly improved economic conditions compared to the previous cycle, with public debt substantially reduced and expectations for economic growth hovering around 4 percent throughout its duration.
In the second discussion session, titled "Investment Prospects in Priority Economic Sectors," Abdulsalam bin Mohammed Al Murshidi, Chairman of the Oman Investment Authority, emphasized the Authority’s commitment to ensuring its international investments carry a distinct Omani imprint and generate tangible added value.
Eng. Said bin Hamoud Al Maawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, reported that investment in the communications and information technology sector over the past five years has totalled approximately RO 1.2 billion, including some RO 65 million dedicated to artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives.
Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef, Chairman of the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones, stated, "The industrial sector stands as one of the foremost contributors to the Gross Domestic Product, accounting for over 10 percent, while non-oil merchandise exports have grown by 8.3 percent."
Azzan bin Qasim Al Busaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism for Tourism, noted that visitor arrivals to the Sultanate of Oman reached nearly 3.96 million by the end of 2025, accompanied by a significant 18.1 percent rise in tourism expenditure. The tourism sector’s value-added contribution amounted to RO 1.1 billion. He further highlighted that domestic tourism within Oman attracted approximately 14 million visitors in 2025.
Faisal bin Abdullah Al Rowas, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), affirmed the Chamber’s role as a strategic partner in all endeavours aimed at strengthening the national GDP. He reiterated the Chamber’s dedication to supporting pivotal initiatives and sectors, including investment, tourism, and digital transformation.
Ibtisam bint Ahmed Al Faroji, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion for Investment Promotion, outlined the establishment of a comprehensive stakeholder framework within the "Invest Oman" platform. This system provides a transparent and structured process for investments and is currently managing around 110 investment inquiries. Of these, 59 are active files involving localization efforts or ongoing feasibility studies and company formation, while 31 projects have been successfully localized, and 8 others have been facilitated, processed, and promoted.
She added that investments secured and localized through the "Invest Oman" platform include 8 strategic projects, facilitated by the National Negotiation Team, which have collectively attracted investment commitments valued at RO 2.5 billion.
The forum featured a pivotal discussion session titled "Governorate Development and Their Role in Advancing Investment in Manufacturing, Tourism, and the Digital Economy." HH Sayyid Marwan bin Turki Al Said, Governor of Dhofar, underscored during the session the critical importance of forging robust partnerships between governmental institutions and the community to streamline communication and effectively execute the roles and mandates essential for governorate development.
Dr. Yahya bin Badr Al Maawali, Governor of South A’Sharqiyah, elaborated that the "Together Moving Forward" forum serves as a vital conduit for engaging with diverse societal segments to identify, monitor, and ultimately address the aspirations of the citizenry through dedicated study and action.
Sheikh Hilal bin Said Al Hajri, Governor of A’Dakhiliyah, emphasized that the development initiatives within his governorate are fundamentally anchored in human capital, with numerous strategic plans being constructed upon this foundation. He reaffirmed the governorate's steadfast commitment to a model of communal partnership.
In his remarks, Mahmoud bin Yahya Al Dhuhli, Governor of North A’Sharqiyah, reported significant progress, with the governorate successfully expanding its cultivated land to 11,000 acres within a three-year period and issuing 596 licenses for high-quality agricultural ventures.
Taher bin Mubkhout Al Junaibi, Governor of A’Dhahirah, outlined the governorate's strategic focus on fostering economic synergy among its three wilayats by leveraging their unique competitive strengths. He highlighted A’Dhahirah's strategic position as a pivotal logistics and industrial nexus connecting the Sultanate of Oman with the Saudi market, its ambition to become a cornerstone of national food security, and its rich potential in mineral wealth.
Mohammed bin Said Al Kindi, Governor of North Al Batinah, disclosed plans for a major food security initiative: the creation of an agricultural city in the Wilayat of Saham spanning six million square meters. This project is being coordinated jointly with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning.
In a related context, Sayyid Dr. Hamad bin Ahmed Al Busaidi, Governor of Al Buraimi, revealed that investment in food security projects within the governorate has reached approximately RO 62 million. He stressed the imperative of furnishing these projects with comprehensive support services to ensure their evolution and long-term sustainability.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Musallam Al Kathiri, Governor of Al Wusta, detailed the governorate's leading projects in manufacturing, logistics, and renewable energy. He noted that the 'ACME' green hydrogen initiative in Duqm is advancing steadily, having reached the 50 percent completion milestone.
Addressing inquiries during the session, Dr. Khalfan bin Said Al Shuaili, Minister of Housing and Urban Planning, provided an update on rural housing regulations in Dhofar. He confirmed that 95 percent of the work pertaining to the plains area has been finalized under the approved urban strategy framework. The primary objective of preserving the distinctive rural character of Dhofar's plains has been met, and a forward-looking ten-year plan has been established, with a key focus on safeguarding the region's green spaces.
For his part, Eng. Said bin Hamoud Al Maawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, announced the formal appointment of a dedicated committee to oversee the Al Jabal Al Abyad road project in the Wilayat of Dama and Al Ta'een, with its commissioning anticipated in the near term. He also outlined collaborative plans for the development of Khor Garama and introduced a new road project for Ras Al Hadd in the Wilayat of Sur.
HH Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, toured the accompanying exhibition. During his visit, he received a comprehensive briefing from the organizers on the various participating pavilions, which showcase a range of integrated initiatives and projects. These exhibits highlight the synergistic efforts across multiple sectors and their role in advancing the nation's sustainable economic development trajectory.
