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The sultanate boasts high mobile penetration, widening 4G LTE coverage in key urban areas and a growing fixed-line market. Auctions are under way for spectrum to support service expansion, and the regulator is considering a new framework for competition. Meanwhile, private investments should help expand network coverage and provide more secure services. This chapter contains a roundtable with Greg Young, CEO, Nawras; Gürkan Öztürk, CEO, Samatel; Talal Said Marhoo, CFO, Omantel; and Martin Glud, CEO, FRiENDi Oman.

Given rapid growth in other sectors of the economy, fishing and farming’s relative contribution has decreased in recent years, falling from 2.8% of GDP in 1995 to 1.1% in 2012, however the government is aiming to spur sector growth and boost this to 5.1% of GDP by 2020. Steady increases in crop and livestock yields have raised self-sufficiency levels; as of early 2013, Oman produced 75% of its fruit and vegetables needs. Levels for poultry are lower, at around 40%, meaning there is plenty of room for local firms to boost production. Water management aided by dams & desalination plants, combined with significant potential for growing crops in the Dhofar region further aids the potential for expansion in this sector.

Regular rises in the minimum wage, the most recent of which took place in July 2013, have increased overall purchasing power in the sultanate. Other factors, such as a rising number of expatriates and tourists, the growing appeal and awareness of international trends, low market saturation, political stability and high oil prices have attracted major investments by international retailers that see strong potential for the Omani marketplace. The ongoing influx of hypermarkets and supermarkets is likely to see retailers, both domestic and foreign, continuing to penetrate the country’s interior as the coastal population centres become saturated. These dynamics are likely to shape the retail sector – and the investment opportunities available – in the short to medium term. This chapter contains interviews with Pankaj Khimji, Partner-Director, Khimji Ramdas; and Said Al Ka’abi, Chairman, Public Authority for Consumer Protection.

As oil reserves continue to draw down, the government is focusing on downstream processing and developing a complementary port infrastructure and transport net- work. By 2020, the government aims for industry to contribute 30% of GDP and to reduce oil’s share of GDP from 50% to 19%. The discovery of mineral resources presents further opportunity in mining growth. This chapter contains interviews with Gert Hoefman, CEO, Oman Cables; and Said Al Masoudi, Acting CEO, Sohar Aluminium.

The market saw a rapid slowdown after 2008, as investors backed away from the Gulf and economic growth tapered. However, from 2012, development has picked up to meet resurgent demand, and major projects are being rolled out in all sectors. Economic expansion, a growing population and increasing interest from foreign investors are driving a strong recovery in Oman’s real estate market. Expansion of retail real estate is rising in line with increasing purchasing power of the population, aided by a hike in the minimum wage that took effect in July 2013. This chapter contains an interview with Ziyad M Al Zubair, Director, The Zubair Corporation.

Upgrades to the transportation infrastructure continue to drive sector expansion. Between 2011 and 2015, the government plans to invest some $10.7bn on infrastructure projects alone, with state spending on affordable housing also set to provide opportunities for contractors. Sector growth was expected to reach 5.5% in 2013, bringing total industry value to $4.3bn. This chapter contains an interview with Salim bin Nasser Al Aufi, CEO, Public Authority for Civil Aviation.