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Muscat Daily
08-07-2025
- Business
- Muscat Daily
MoCIIP warns of fake ministerial statement used in online fraud
Muscat – Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion (MoCIIP) has issued a warning regarding the circulation of a fabricated 'ministerial statement' being used to promote fictitious online stores claiming official registration in Oman. In a statement, the ministry confirmed that it recently detected this fraudulent activity, which aims to mislead consumers by promoting unlicensed e-commerce platforms under the guise of official endorsement. MoCIIP clarified that it has not issued any such statement and urged the public to exercise caution. Consumers are advised to engage only with online stores officially licensed through the Oman Business Platform and verified via the Maroof Oman platform. The ministry also stressed the importance of verifying the contact information provided by online stores, ensuring it matches the data listed in the official commercial register, to avoid falling victim to scams. As part of efforts to regulate and boost the e-commerce sector, MoCIIP issued Ministerial Decision No 499/2023 two years ago outlining comprehensive regulations for online trade in Oman. Under these regulations, individuals who do not have a commercial register can apply for an e-commerce licence electronically, provided they meet certain criteria. Commercial entities must be registered in the commercial registry, while non-Omani investors are permitted to engage in e-commerce in accordance with the Foreign Capital Investment Law. To ensure compliance, MoCIIP holds the authority to take enforcement actions, including fines of up to RO500, temporary suspension of licence, or in severe and repeated violations within a three-year period, permanent revocation of licence and blocking of offending online stores.
Observer
26-06-2025
- Business
- Observer
Oman receives RO 30 billion FDI
MUSCAT: Oman received nearly RO 30 billion by the end of 2024 due to simplification of procedures through the Oman Business Platform, which processed over 800,000 transactions in 2024 and added 24 digital services. Speaking during a session of the Majlis Ash'shura on Wednesday, Qais bin Mohammed al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, reviewed the ministry's ongoing initiatives in industrial growth, investment attraction and digital transformation. Discussions covered the contribution of public and private sectors to Oman's gross domestic product, evaluations of free trade agreements and updates on the Nazdaher programme. To combat "hidden trade" and ensure fair competition, the ministry has enforced measures including mandatory electronic payment methods for commercial activities, aligning with global trends in the digital economy. A ministerial decision was also issued to enhance corporate governance standards for closed joint-stock companies, said the minister. The minister stated that the trade sector's contribution to GDP at constant prices reached approximately 8.3 per cent in 2024, amounting to RO 3.225 billion, with a cumulative growth rate of 6.6 per cent during the Tenth Five-Year Plan. He added that the manufacturing sector recorded the highest growth rate among economic diversification activities, at 8.6 per cent, reaching RO 3.6 billion at constant prices by the end of 2024 — constituting 10 per cent of GDP. He highlighted that industrial exports reached RO 6.2 billion in 2024, reflecting the growing added value of national industries. He noted that over 260 initiatives are currently being implemented in collaboration with partners and stakeholders as part of the Industrial Strategy 2040. The minister revealed that the number of Omani standard specifications issued by the ministry by the end of 2024 totalled 7,523, with 17 technical services streamlined. Additionally, the Invest Oman platform received around 90 investment requests worth RO 5.38 billion between its launch in February 2023 and June 2025, with 43 projects worth RO 2.25 billion localised in strategic sectors such as industry, healthcare, food security and renewable energy. He further added that the ministry has bolstered community participation in the local economy through initiatives supporting consumer cooperatives, including regulatory incentives such as streamlined registration and commercial site allocation. In e-commerce, new regulations were introduced, and the Ma'roof Oman platform was launched to certify online stores, boosting consumer trust and increasing licenses by 236.4% within a year. Al Yousef pointed out that key programmes launched include the Industrial Observatory to monitor sector performance and optimise supply chains, the Automation and AI Programme to modernise factories, Tasneea to localise procurement, and Ta'meer to link major urban projects like Sultan Haitham City with local products — fostering economic integration. BOX GRAPH POINTS 1. Trade sector's contribution to GDP at constant prices reached approximately 8.3 per cent in 2024, amounting to RO 3.225 bn 2. Industrial exports reached RO 6.2 billion in 2024, reflecting the growing added value of national industries 3. 260 initiatives are currently being implemented in collaboration with partners and stakeholders as part of the Industrial Strategy 2040 4. Invest Oman platform received around 90 investment requests worth RO 5.38 billion between its launch in February 2023 and June 2025
Zawya
09-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Business Platform project to boost Oman's investment appeal
MUSCAT- Prominent Omani firms are among a total of 12 local and international consortiums that have been qualified by the Ministry of Finance to compete for the government's prestigious contract to develop and operate the Oman Business Platform (OBP) project – a vital government e-services platform - via the Public Private Partnership (PPP) route. In the fray at this stage of the competitive bidding process are consortiums led by: Al Madina, Bahwan CyberTek, Bahwan Engineering, Business Gateways, NELTA, Nortal, PwC, Quilix, Solutions by STC (Saudi Telecom Company), SSL Software Systems, Tata Consultancy Services and World CloudTurksat. They were shortlisted from among a total of 30 companies that sought to prequalify for this first-ever initiative to build and operate a digital hub designed to deliver seamless, efficient, and integrated government services. The Ministry of Finance, in its exclusive capacity as the orchestrator of PPP projects, is overseeing the procurement process on behalf of the project owner, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion (MoCIIP). The project is one of several flagship initiatives unveiled under the latter's Digital Transformation Programme 2021-25. Launched originally as a One-Stop-Shop in 2003, the Oman Business Platform has undergone a succession of upgrades and enhancements – technological and qualitative – to serve as the government's principal digital vehicle for engagement with investors and the wider business community. 'The Oman Business Platform plays a crucial role as the central hub for business registration data in Oman, serving over 50 million records and supporting more than 36 government and private entities. This platform is vital for ensuring smooth e-government services across the country. On an average day, it handles 250,000 web service requests, processes 10,639 tasks and supports more than 50 online services and licensing-related services,' the Ministry of Finance explained in a backgrounder on the initiative. The successful vendor will be granted a 7-year contract (extendable by 1+1 year renewal periods) to operate the platform against a payment structure that includes 'both a fixed component and one or more variable components possibly related to platform revenue growth and/or transaction volume growth'. The Platform Operator will be required to enhance the platform's capability to deliver seamless, efficient, and integrated government services. 'As a digital hub for the community, the platform's enhancements will prioritise user engagement and streamlined service delivery. The vision includes refining user interfaces and improving backend systems to ensure a responsive and accessible digital environment for all users, ranging from local Omani businesses to international investors and the general public,' the Ministry of Finance added. In the next stage of the procurement process, the qualified contestants will be invited to submit proposals outlining their respective strategies for building and operating the platform. An award is anticipated before the end of this year.
Observer
05-06-2025
- Business
- Observer
Business Platform project to boost Oman's investment appeal
MUSCAT, JUNE 5 Prominent Omani firms are among a total of 12 local and international consortiums that have been qualified by the Ministry of Finance to compete for the government's prestigious contract to develop and operate the Oman Business Platform (OBP) project – a vital government e-services platform - via the Public Private Partnership (PPP) route. In the fray at this stage of the competitive bidding process are consortiums led by: Al Madina, Bahwan CyberTek, Bahwan Engineering, Business Gateways, NELTA, Nortal, PwC, Quilix, Solutions by STC (Saudi Telecom Company), SSL Software Systems, Tata Consultancy Services and World CloudTurksat. They were shortlisted from among a total of 30 companies that sought to prequalify for this first-ever initiative to build and operate a digital hub designed to deliver seamless, efficient, and integrated government services. The Ministry of Finance, in its exclusive capacity as the orchestrator of PPP projects, is overseeing the procurement process on behalf of the project owner, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion (MoCIIP). The project is one of several flagship initiatives unveiled under the latter's Digital Transformation Programme 2021-25. Launched originally as a One-Stop-Shop in 2003, the Oman Business Platform has undergone a succession of upgrades and enhancements – technological and qualitative – to serve as the government's principal digital vehicle for engagement with investors and the wider business community. 'The Oman Business Platform plays a crucial role as the central hub for business registration data in Oman, serving over 50 million records and supporting more than 36 government and private entities. This platform is vital for ensuring smooth e-government services across the country. On an average day, it handles 250,000 web service requests, processes 10,639 tasks and supports more than 50 online services and licensing-related services,' the Ministry of Finance explained in a backgrounder on the initiative. The successful vendor will be granted a 7-year contract (extendable by 1+1 year renewal periods) to operate the platform against a payment structure that includes 'both a fixed component and one or more variable components possibly related to platform revenue growth and/or transaction volume growth'. The Platform Operator will be required to enhance the platform's capability to deliver seamless, efficient, and integrated government services. 'As a digital hub for the community, the platform's enhancements will prioritise user engagement and streamlined service delivery. The vision includes refining user interfaces and improving backend systems to ensure a responsive and accessible digital environment for all users, ranging from local Omani businesses to international investors and the general public,' the Ministry of Finance added. In the next stage of the procurement process, the qualified contestants will be invited to submit proposals outlining their respective strategies for building and operating the platform. An award is anticipated before the end of this year.
Arabian Stories
05-06-2025
- Arabian Stories
His Majesty Sultan Haitham greets citizens, residents on Eid Al Adha
Muscat: In a statement issued by the Department of Public Relations and Security Media, the ROP informed the public that vehicles will be strictly prohibited from parking on both sides of the road extending from Al Shomoukh Fort in the Wilayat of Manah to the Sultan Qaboos Mosque in the Wilayat of Nizwa. This restriction will be in effect on the morning of Friday, June 6, 2025. Authorities have called on all drivers to comply with the directive and cooperate with on-ground police personnel to ensure public safety and prevent traffic disruptions. Read More His Majesty Sultan Haitham greets citizens, residents on Eid Al Adha His Majesty extends Eid Al Adha greetings to leaders across the Islamic world His Majesty the Sultan pardons 645 inmates on the occasion of Eid Al Adha Muttrah Square project takes flight as tender reveals iconic makeover 12 companies qualify to compete for Oman Business Platform project under public-private partnership
