Oman’s increased focus on manufacturing as part of its economic diversification efforts appears to be paying off as new data reflects encouraging trends. Manufacturing grew by 17.8 per cent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2018, according to data issued by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI).

Oman’s non-oil export revenues hit $5.07 billion in the first half of this year (June 2018), according to a senior official at Ithraa, Oman’s inward investment and export development agency.

Dubai-based leading contractor and supplier Inco Group has strengthened its footprint in Oman with the setting up of its third manufacturing unit in the emerging industrial hub of Duqm, where it has found success by winning a major engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the Duqm Refinery.

Saudi-based Alkhorayef Petroleum Company (APC), the only Middle Eastern manufacturer of electrical submersible pumps (ESPs) and horizontal pumping systems (HPS), is embarking on an ambitious programme to extend its international footprint, taking its broad portfolio of artificial lift products and services to new markets.

Shell Oman Marketing Company recently signed an agreement with National Plastic Factory (NPF) to be one of its main packs suppliers for lubricants.

Middle East Machines and Automation (Mema) has set foot in Oman with support from its parent company Euro Gulf Machines and Tools Tr, which is a 10-year-old firm headquartered in Sharjah, UAE.

Oman'sNama Group has announced the launch of the live operation of its centrally implemented Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) project designed for high value customers in the electricity sector across the sultanate.