Muscat: The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, through its "Invest Oman" platform, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, has launched a portfolio of high-value investment opportunities in the food security sector.
According to Oman News Agency, the projects span agriculture, aquaculture and related industries, reflecting the diversity of Oman's natural resources and its capacity to attract quality investments into food supply chains. The initiative supports Oman's drive to enhance self-sufficiency, ensure resource sustainability and raise the contribution of productive sectors to the national economy.
In agriculture, five projects are on offer in the Al Najd Agricultural Zone. These include onion cultivation and processing (RO 4.8 million), garlic cultivation (RO 2.3 million), cantaloupe cultivation (RO 2.1 million), greenhouse leafy vegetable cultivation (RO 1.6 million), and potato cultivation and processing (RO 5.5 million).
In fisheries, five projects are available: seaweed cultivation in A'Suwaiq (RO 2 million), Omani abalone farming in Sharbathat, Dhofar Governorate (RO 10 million), giant tiger prawn farming in Ras Madrakah (RO 32 million), whiteleg shrimp farming in Jaalan Bani Bu Ali (RO 25 million), and tuna fattening in floating cages in Quriyat (RO 4.7 million). The projects aim to boost production of high-value marine species and expand Oman's aquaculture sector.
Supporting food industries also feature, including a sustainable fish feed alternative manufacturing project in Samail Industrial City valued at RO 3.8 million, strengthening value chain integration.
Investment values range from medium-scale projects starting at around RO 1.6 million to major strategic projects exceeding RO 32 million, offering diverse entry points for investors and fostering long-term partnerships.
These opportunities are underpinned by a range of competitive advantages that the Sultanate of Oman possesses, including the availability of suitable agricultural land, diverse marine resources, a strategic geographic location, advanced infrastructure in agricultural and industrial zones and a legislative and regulatory environment that supports investment in agriculture and fisheries.
Khalid bin Hamad Al Kharousi, Director General of Investment Promotion at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, said that investment opportunities are developed and framed through an integrated approach involving priority sectors, with the goal of turning enablers into investment-ready projects grounded in clear technical and economic fundamentals.
The food security opportunity portfolio was prepared in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources to ensure alignment with national priorities and to enhance implementation readiness and investor appeal, he added.
The focus is on building integrated opportunities across food security value chains - from agricultural and fisheries production through manufacturing to logistics services - contributing to self-sufficiency, export growth and the creation of sustainable jobs, Al Kharousi noted.
He said the opportunities reflect a strategic push to attract high-value investments that leverage modern technologies and sustainable practices, while supporting the development of related industries, thereby strengthening Oman's competitiveness as a regional hub for food security and aquaculture.
Dr. Masoud bin Sulaiman Al Azri, Director General of Agricultural and Fisheries Marketing and official spokesperson for the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, said the investment opportunities have been framed on the basis of specialised technical studies that account for the comparative advantages of each location, focusing on priority sectors within the food security system. This helps boost local production and improve the efficiency of natural resource use.
The ministry is working in close coordination with the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, the Invest Oman ecosystem, and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning to promote these opportunities in target markets, aligning technical and promotional roles to enhance project appeal and increase the likelihood of turning them into operational investments, Dr. Al Azri explained.
This institutional coordination helps create a supportive environment for project implementation by providing infrastructure, technical support and enabling regulatory frameworks, thereby strengthening sector competitiveness and advancing Oman's food security and sustainability goals, he added.
The portfolio is part of Oman's broader strategy to strengthen the food security system as a pillar of economic diversification, supporting local production, raising supply chain efficiency and contributing to food sustainability in line with Oman Vision 2040.
The Invest Oman platform allows investors to review detailed information on these opportunities, including technical data, investment values and operational models, supporting project readiness and speeding up investment decisions.