AGP Executive Report

UK State Visit: Sultan Haitham has begun a state visit to Britain, the first by an Omani ruler since 1982, with both sides looking to deepen strategic and economic ties. Hormuz Disruption: Attacks on commercial ships have left containers floating off Oman and pushed oil prices higher, renewing concerns over shipping and energy security. Agriculture and Trade: Oman and Lebanon signed a deal to expand cooperation in farming, fisheries and food security, including trade and investment opportunities. Local Products: A dates and honey exhibition opened in Muscat with 100 businesses aiming to promote Omani products and reach new markets. Health Rules: Oman has outlined how citizens marrying abroad can meet mandatory premarital screening requirements, including verification of tests completed overseas.

UK State Visit: Sultan Haitham begins a state visit to the UK today, with trade, investment and stronger strategic ties on the agenda. Maritime Security: Oman has joined an international pledge against tolls on sea routes, as attacks around the Strait of Hormuz leave thousands of seafarers stranded and threaten vital shipping. Energy Research: Sultan Qaboos University opened a RO1.5 million sustainable energy laboratory with facilities for research into renewables, hydrogen and carbon capture. Investment: Oman launched a RO100 million sovereign sukuk issue and a Muscat Stock Exchange initiative to attract more women investors. Weather: A low-pressure system could bring rain to parts of Oman from Wednesday, with stronger winds possible. Culture: Muscat Art Exhibition 2026 will run from October 28 to 30, showcasing more than 300 artists.

Public Finance: Oman launched a OMR100 million, seven-year sovereign sukuk paying 4.85% annually, with an option to raise another OMR50 million. Subscriptions open Monday and close on October 25. Investment & Industry: New rules offer tax exemptions in special and free zones for qualifying strategic projects. Oman also plans to extend local-content certification to government entities covered by the Tenders Law in 2027, with six manufacturing opportunities announced this year. UK Visit: Windsor is flying Omani flags ahead of Sultan Haitham’s state visit, which begins October 19 and is expected to advance bilateral cooperation. Women in Business: The Muscat Stock Exchange launched an Investor Club to support Omani women’s participation in capital markets. Weather: Oman’s weather centre expects possible scattered rain in parts of Dhofar and Al Wusta from Wednesday, but no direct impact from the monitored tropical depression.

Hormuz Security: Iran’s Revolutionary Guard says two oil tankers caught fire after hitting mines in the Strait of Hormuz, amid a record surge in reported ship attacks. Floating containers from damaged vessels have also been spotted off Oman’s Musandam coast, prompting warnings to sea-goers to keep clear. Oman–UK Ties: Sultan Haitham is due to begin a state visit to the UK on Monday, with both countries looking to deepen strategic and investment ties. Economy: Oman’s inflation rose 3.2% in September, led by food prices, while foreign investors recorded $26.5 million in net sales on the country’s stock market in the third quarter. Trade: Oman and Bangladesh have discussed expanding trade, investment and skilled migration, and exploring a formal trade framework.

Maritime Safety: Oman’s Maritime Security Centre urged sea-goers in Musandam to avoid containers scattered after the GFS Pride sank. Separately, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed a second supertanker struck a mine in the Strait of Hormuz; the report has not been independently verified. Omani Women’s Day: Omani women’s employment rose 9% in 2025 to 270,696, while a new Shura Council seat for women in each governorate was announced. Economic Outlook: September inflation reached 3.2%, led by food prices, and the Muscat stock index fell 1.97% this week amid regional uncertainty. Yet ports handled 62.3% more cargo in the first eight months of 2026 than a year earlier. Investment and Education: New amendments to Oman’s Mineral Wealth Law aim to improve transparency and attract mining investment. Registration opens October 18 for 2,894 vacant higher-education places. Diplomacy: Sultan Haitham begins a state visit to the UK on October 19 to strengthen cooperation and discuss regional developments.

Trade and Investment: Oman and Algeria held talks on expanding trade and economic cooperation, while Muscat highlighted tourism, logistics, renewable energy and other priority sectors for foreign investors. Travel and Ties: A visa-exemption deal with Pakistan covers diplomatic, special, service and official passport holders. Oman also opened its first embassy in Minsk. Women’s Representation: On Omani Women’s Day, the Honourable Lady welcomed a royal directive adding a women’s seat to each governorate’s Shura Council delegation. Economy: Agriculture and fisheries output rose 3.3% to RO623.5 million in the first half of the year. Authorities also shut 17 Sanad service centres over regulatory breaches. Regional Security: Attacks on shipping around the Strait of Hormuz have reached a weekly high, with oil flows slowing and a tanker reported on fire in Gulf of Oman waters. Diplomacy: Oman joined 18 other countries in condemning Colombia’s opening of an embassy in Jerusalem.

Hormuz and Shipping: Two cargo ships sank after attacks near the Strait of Hormuz, and floating containers off Oman pose a hazard to navigation. Iran has also reportedly moved LPG and jet fuel through ship-to-ship transfers off Oman despite a US blockade. Oman’s Diplomacy: Oman is leading preparations for the UN’s seventh session on a Middle East nuclear-free zone and joined 18 countries condemning Colombia’s Jerusalem embassy opening. Workers and Services: Employees are entitled to 30 days of paid annual leave after six months’ service, plus six paid emergency-leave days. Oman has also shut 17 Sanad service centres following regulatory breaches. Economic Activity: Agriculture and fisheries output rose 3.3% to RO623.5 million in the first half of the year, while Oman awarded a key road-building contract in Duqm.

Regional Diplomacy: Oman was proposed as a venue for Saudi-Houthi talks, but Saudi officials say the Houthis refused to meet. The escalating attacks also prompted the Gulf-EU summit in Riyadh to be postponed. Investment & Infrastructure: Oman awarded a contract for roads and utilities at Duqm’s Fisheries Industries Zone. At an investment summit in Muscat, companies outlined plans for projects in oil-waste treatment, manufacturing and pharmaceuticals. Oman-Pakistan Ties: The two countries signed cooperation agreements and memoranda across several fields, while stressing dialogue to ease regional tensions. Economic Outlook: The IMF says Oman has been largely spared the direct impact of the Strait of Hormuz disruption, but forecasts a 4.8% contraction for the wider GCC this year.

Health & Safety: Oman opened its first mobile hazardous-material decontamination unit at Khasab Hospital, the first of 11 planned nationwide. Oman and Egypt also discussed cooperation on public-health training and medical expertise. Investment & Industry: Oman Cables began work on a third plant at Al Rusayl, an investment exceeding RO10 million that will use AI-enabled manufacturing. Oman is also seeking investment in AI and digital infrastructure. Diplomacy: Oman and Pakistan signed agreements and memoranda of understanding and called for de-escalation in the Gulf. Oman also established diplomatic relations with Lesotho and took part in a Geneva summit on science and diplomacy. Community & Culture: New occupational rehabilitation halls will serve more than 100 adults with severe disabilities. Oman will host the International Dates Council’s sixth session. Regional Risks: Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and ship sinkings near the Strait of Hormuz are weighing on Gulf markets and raising concerns over trade and energy flows; the EU-GCC summit in Riyadh has been postponed.

Oman–Pakistan Ties: Muscat and Islamabad signed agreements and MoUs covering technology, media, archives and visa exemptions for official passport holders, while pledging closer trade and investment links. Maritime Security: Attacks on shipping have sharply curtailed traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. A UN official warned that failure to secure fertiliser shipments within weeks could put planting seasons and food security at risk across parts of Asia and Africa. Investment and Jobs: Tesla is recruiting in Muscat ahead of its planned 2027 Oman launch. Oman also invited bids for consultancy work on its Hot Springs Geothermal Project and awarded an infrastructure contract for the Duqm Fisheries Zone. Regional Cooperation: Oman and Kuwait are exploring deeper economic ties in logistics, energy, industry and digital services.

Maritime Security: Iran says a container ship sank after hitting a mine in the Strait of Hormuz off Oman’s coast; the crew’s fate is unclear. The incident adds to attacks disrupting shipping and raising risks for energy supplies. Oman-Pakistan Ties: At a joint ministerial meeting in Islamabad, Oman and Pakistan condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and called for dialogue to ease regional tensions. They also agreed to deepen cooperation in trade, energy, logistics, technology and tourism. Investment: Oman’s Inspire Summit highlighted the country’s appeal to investors, with a $10 million oil-waste processing and refining project announced for Duqm. Al Suwaiq Industrial City also reported new investments exceeding OMR1.4 million. Healthcare: A new polyclinic in Al Mudhaibi is set to serve about 34,000 people across 26 villages, offering specialist care, diagnostics and rehabilitation.

Maritime Security: Iran says it has changed tactics against ships in the Strait of Hormuz, where vessel attacks are rising. Oman has airlifted an injured crew member from a burning merchant ship, underscoring the risks to regional shipping. Diplomacy: Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi is in Pakistan to co-chair the eighth Oman-Pakistan Joint Ministerial Commission and hold bilateral talks. Travel: Omani visitors can now apply online for Philippine e-visas, under a new system announced by the Foreign Ministry. Fisheries: Oman has opened its three-month shrimp season after the annual fishing ban; aquaculture now supplies more than 84% of the country’s shrimp output. Culture: Oman will be guest of honour at the Sharjah International Book Fair, running November 4–15, with a programme showcasing Omani literature and heritage.

Maritime Security: Oman airlifted an injured crew member from the burning merchant ship JOHN K as attacks disrupted Gulf shipping; two Indian seafarers were also reported missing after a drone strike on a tanker off Oman. Investment: OMRAN signed development agreements worth more than RO122 million for residential and tourism projects at Madinat Al Irfan and Yiti, while a conference in Muscat promoted investment in digital infrastructure and technology. Public Services: Muscat Municipality agreed to develop a unified digital system for permits, leases and other services across Oman’s governorates. Economic Outlook: The IMF expects Oman to be the only Gulf economy to grow in 2026, even as it cut forecasts for the wider region amid Strait of Hormuz disruption. Trade and Tourism: Oman and Saudi business leaders discussed expanding trade and investment, while Salalah welcomed its first Czech charter flight of the winter season, carrying 150 tourists.

Maritime Security: Two Indian seafarers remain missing after a drone attack on tanker MT Petro Dolphin at Sohar Anchorage; nine crew members were rescued. Oman also airlifted an injured sailor from the merchant vessel JOHN K after an engine-room fire. UKMTO reported six vessel attacks in the Strait of Hormuz and nearby waters on Sunday. Diplomacy: Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Al Busaidi visits Pakistan on October 13–14 for talks and the eighth Pakistan-Oman Joint Ministerial Commission. Investment: Salalah Free Zone has signed a RO3.85 million deal for a Saudi-backed drinks factory, expected to begin production in six months and create jobs. Economy: Oman’s GDP grew 5.1% in the second quarter, led by the oil sector.

Maritime Security: Two Indian sailors are missing after a drone struck the tanker MT Petro Dolphin in the Strait of Hormuz area. A second tanker was hit, but its 11 Indian crew are safe. India’s embassy in Muscat is coordinating with Omani authorities. Local Investment: Al Dakhiliyah signed 33 development and investment contracts, including eight projects worth more than OMR6 million and 25 deals expected to generate over OMR1.8 million. Omanisation: A phased plan will reserve 22 transport and logistics occupations for Omanis, with full implementation expected by 2027. Education: CBSE Class 12 exams for students in Oman and six other West Asian countries are scheduled for October 23–28. Diplomacy: Oman and Greece held their first round of political consultations, discussing cooperation in tourism, maritime transport and culture.

Maritime Security: A drone attack on the tanker MT Petro Dolphin at Sohar Anchorage left two Indian seafarers missing; nine were rescued, and search operations are continuing. India is coordinating with Omani authorities. The incident comes amid mounting attacks on Gulf shipping, while US forces say they disabled a cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman after it tried to breach a blockade on Iran. Oman’s Diplomacy: Sultan Haitham received a message from Saudi King Salman, along with an invitation to attend the GCC-EU Summit in Saudi Arabia this month. Economy and Services: Oman’s electricity generation rose 4.3% in the first eight months of 2026, while water production fell 3.5%. New rules for recruitment offices handling non-Omani workers set clearer contracts, timelines and financial guarantees.