More than 23,000 companies were registered with Oman’s Projects, Tenders and Local Content Authority by September, reflecting continued private-sector interest in government procurement and development projects.
The registered businesses include 5,636 small and medium-sized enterprises, representing 24.1% of the total, along with more than 11,000 local companies. They can compete for contracts covering supplies, services, construction, consulting, ports, roads, bridges, railways and dams.
According to the authority’s data, tenders worth OMR365 million were issued during the first seven months of the year, while tenders valued at OMR734 million were awarded by the Tender Board. The Finance Ministry also said it had paid more than OMR915 million in private-sector dues during the first half of the year, with completed claims processed in an average of five working days.
SME participation is also increasing. Around 500 SMEs joined the authority’s registry in the second quarter, supported by incentives including a requirement for government entities and state-owned companies to award contracts worth up to OMR25,000 to eligible SMEs holding an Entrepreneurship Card.
The authority expects SMEs to receive more than OMR90 million in approved projects this year, while opportunities in projects under study exceed OMR203 million. Oman’s estimated future project pipeline is valued at more than OMR1.5 billion.
Source: Oman Daily
