Muscat – As Musandam governorate charts a new course towards economic vitality, the focus is set on leveraging its tourism potential and beckoning significant investments to fortify the country’s economic landscape.

Celebrating the 53rd National Day, Governor Sayyid Ibrahim bin Saeed al Busaidi sketched out an all-encompassing blueprint for propelling the governorate’s development projects.

“Our economic diversification and development strategy for Musandam are aligned with Vision 2040,” he confirmed, informing that “we are prioritising municipal projects like waterfront enhancements, parks, and children’s play areas, which make up 39% of our development initiatives”.

These are closely followed by tourism developments, accounting for 24%, he added.

In the tourism sector, Musandam is experiencing a surge, evidenced by a 31.9% uptick in cruise visitors at Khasab Port in the first half of 2023 compared to the previous year. To invigorate the sector further, a distinctive ‘Musandam Winter’ campaign is underway, set to host a spectrum of cultural, artistic, and sports events.

The Governor’s Office, in collaboration with the Omran Group, has greenlit ventures like the Adventure Center, featuring a zipline and padel court, alongside a bouquet of water activities. Additionally, the ‘Ames Bay’ project, acclaimed for its innovative approach, promises to be a cornerstone for service-oriented investments, enhancing maritime accessibility and spurring growth in services and tourism.

Musandam’s development narrative also extends to essential amenities.

The governor highlighted that 21% of the projects are devoted to constructing schools and healthcare facilities like Madha Hospital and Khasab Reference Hospital, which are anticipated to be functional next year.

Strategic projects like the Khasab-Dibba road and Musandam Airport, as well as a new campus for the University of Technology and Applied Sciences, are set to underpin the region’s growth.

Urban planning initiatives are also afoot. In a joint venture with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning, Musandam will see the rise of the Khasab Downtown project and various real estate developments, with land distribution for residential and governmental purposes showing robust activity over the past year.

Furthermore, the Environment Authority is at the helm of the National Natural Park Reserve management, safeguarding offshore islands and coastal ecosystems that serve as sanctuaries for avian species and embody Musandam’s breathtaking natural splendour.

The agricultural and fisheries sectors are not left behind.

A significant fishing port is under construction in Dibba, along with amenities for the fisheries, tourism, and commerce sectors. Concurrently, initiatives like a new fish market in Khasab and coastal breakwaters in Bukha are progressing to enhance the fishing infrastructure.

Lastly, the governorate is bolstering its agricultural foundations, with initiatives like a table egg production project and a veterinary quarantine, alongside comprehensive livestock vaccination drives, showcasing a commitment to sustainable economic and ecological stewardship.