Muscat – The Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning (MHUP) has unveiled plans to set up a specialised centre for traditional crafts to be strategically located in Muscat.

The project, announced through MHUP’s Tatweer platform, is aimed at recognising and bolstering the significant role that craft industries play in Oman’s economy and the preservation of its national identity.

The proposed centre, spread over 13,000sqm, is set to become a hub for the promotion and support of traditional Omani crafts and artisans. 

An MHUP official stated, “The project is conceived to provide substantial support to Omani craftsmen by nurturing their skills and offering a platform to promote a wide array of traditional products. It aligns with our commitment to safeguard and enhance Oman’s rich cultural heritage, furthering our national development objectives.”

Additionally, the centre aims to raise income levels within the national crafts sector and highlight the significance of handicrafts in producing practical, everyday items. 

The initiative reflects a broader effort to sustain and elevate the craft sector’s contribution to the economy and society.

Recent statistics reflect the vibrancy of the community of craft artisans in the sultanate – over 24,000 at the end of 2020, with women accounting for 88% of this workforce. 

The Governorate of Dhofar leads with 7,247 craftsmen, followed by North Sharqiyah (5,454), North Batinah (3,534), Dakhliyah (2,148), Al Wusta (1,534), South Batinah (1,357), South Sharqiyah (1,186), Muscat (608), Dhahirah (482), Musandam (405) and Buraimi (236).

The crafts centre endeavour of MHUP not only aims to support the livelihoods of thousands of artisans but also to celebrate and preserve the unique traditional crafts that form an integral part of Oman’s national heritage.