Commercial activity indicators in the Sultanate of Oman during the first half of 2026 reflect the sector's continued growth and its expanding contribution to economic activity. This progress is driven by efforts undertaken by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion to develop the business environment, streamline procedures, enhance the commercial sector's competitiveness, and facilitate the flow of trade and investment.
Data from the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) revealed that the GDP of the wholesale and retail trade sector—at current prices—rose by 5 percent during the first half of 2026, reaching approximately OMR 1.735 billion compared to the same period in 2025.
The data also indicated a 9.7 percent growth in foreign investment within the trade sector, reaching approximately OMR 305.3 million; this reflects the continued inflow of investments into commercial activities and the growing opportunities offered by the Omani market.
Re-exports recorded remarkable performance during the same period, achieving the highest growth rate among these indicators. They rose by 13.6 percent to reach a value of approximately OMR 1.14 billion, highlighting the Sultanate of Oman’s growing role in regional and international trade, as well as its ability to leverage its strategic location, infrastructure, logistics capabilities, and network of ports, airports, and land crossings. Nasra bint Sultan Al-Habsi, Director General of Commerce at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, stated that indicators from the National Centre for Statistics and Information reflect the continued expansion of commercial activity in the Sultanate of Oman. She emphasized the importance of further developing the commercial ecosystem and creating a more efficient, flexible business environment—measures that support investment and trade flows while strengthening the Omani market's integration with regional and global markets.
She added that the notable 13.6 percent growth in re-exports specifically reflects the increasing utilization of Oman’s commercial and logistical capabilities. She affirmed that the Ministry is working in coordination with relevant entities to facilitate trade across various entry points, streamline import, export, and re-export procedures, and enhance the integration of government services provided to the private sector.
She further explained that the Ministry continues to develop the legislative and regulatory framework for the commercial sector, digitize services and simplify procedures via the "Oman Business" platform, and improve the experience for investors and traders. These efforts also aim to boost e-commerce and competition while enhancing the efficiency of services provided to the private sector, thereby reducing the time and effort required to complete transactions and fostering a more attractive environment for business growth. It emphasized that the 9.7 percent increase in foreign investment within the trade sector serves as a positive indicator of the sector's attractiveness. The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion is actively working to enhance the competitiveness of the business environment, attract high-quality investments linked to available opportunities, and leverage the advantages offered by economic, free, and industrial zones, as well as the transport and logistics ecosystem.
Furthermore, the Ministry is working to streamline the flow of exports and re-exports and is coordinating with relevant public and private sector entities to address challenges faced by traders and exporters. Efforts also include developing digital services and regulations governing commercial activities to improve the efficiency of the trade cycle and strengthen the Sultanate of Oman’s ability to capitalize on its strategic location as a gateway to regional and international markets.
Data from the National Centre for Statistics and Information for the first half of 2026 highlights the growing interlinkage between commercial activity, investment, and foreign trade flows. Re-exports have emerged as a key driver of commercial activity, supporting economic diversification efforts and bolstering the Sultanate of Oman’s competitiveness as a hub for trade, investment, and logistics.
