Muscat: A'Dakhiliyah Governorate has launched its "Afaq" strategy for the 2026-2030 period during an annual media briefing held at the Oman Across Ages Museum. This strategic framework is designed to propel the governorate's development, focusing on enhancing institutional readiness and boosting economic, investment, and tourism competitiveness, in alignment with Oman Vision 2040.
According to Oman News Agency, the briefing highlighted the governorate's achievements in implementing, awarding, and monitoring 282 developmental, service, and investment projects across its wilayats, totaling over RO 92 million. These achievements indicate positive growth in economic, investment, tourism, and service sectors, showcasing the developmental momentum within the governorate.
The "Afaq" strategy is the result of extensive participatory efforts, involving over 330 participants from 46 governmental, private, and community entities through 32 interactive sessions and workshops. In addition, 9 field visits and over 50 interviews with community groups were conducted to ensure the strategy aligns with societal needs and aspirations.
The strategy aims to enhance the governorate's institutional readiness, stimulate economic growth, and improve investment and tourism competitiveness. It also seeks to foster financial sustainability and balanced development by leveraging the comparative and competitive advantages of each wilayat through an integrated system of vision, mission, strategic objectives, investment mapping, and performance measurement.
Sheikh Mahmoud Rashid Al Saadi, Acting Governor of A'Dakhiliyah, emphasized the collaborative efforts between the governorate, government entities, the private sector, and the community. He stated that the "Afaq" strategy serves as a developmental roadmap, translating societal ambitions, sustainable development goals, and Oman Vision 2040 into practical initiatives.
Al Saadi highlighted that the governorate is implementing its projects using a methodology focused on impact measurement and maximizing its economic, tourism, and heritage assets. This approach aims to enhance competitiveness, improve quality of life, and open new avenues for investment and economic growth.
The briefing also showcased A'Dakhiliyah's leading role in supporting the local economy, with a 90.3 percent implementation rate of local content policies according to the Authority for Projects, Tenders, and Local Content. The awarding rate to SMEs reached 52.8 percent, underscoring the governorate's success in involving national enterprises in developmental projects.
Investment contracts and opportunities, including commercial, tourism, entertainment, and service projects, were also reviewed. These include projects linked to the Jabal Shams frontage project, investment opportunities at Nizwa Public Park, and the management of public facilities, reinforcing private sector partnerships and efficient public asset utilization.
The briefing concluded with a presentation of projects and initiatives across various wilayats, reflecting the sustainability and expansive nature of the governorate's development efforts.