Muscat – Musandam is charting a path towards sustainable development with its 2040 economic and social strategy, focusing on diversifying income sources, improving living standards and promoting growth across multiple sectors, while safeguarding its cultural heritage and natural resources.

Sayyid Ibrahim bin Saeed al Busaidi, Governor of Musandam, highlighted major projects set for investment in 2024, including Musandam Airport, currently 30% complete, and ongoing consultations for the development of Khasab Port. Progress is also being made on the Khasab-Lima-Dibba road, which is 26% complete.

Musandam has seen steady growth in small and medium enterprises engaged in sectors such as construction, transportation and retail, with 967 SMEs currently active. A major investment in Dibba fishing port, now 78% complete with an allocation of over RO40mn, aims to enhance economic activity and logistics infrastructure in the governorate.

Outlining Musandam’s urban vision for 2040, the governor said, “The focus is on economic and social development through the sustainable management of the governorate’s unique resources.”

The Aames Bay Development Project, winner of the Best Development Project Competition, exemplifies this approach. Collaborative projects with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning include developments in Khasab, Nakheel Hills, Kumzar and Madha, aimed at expanding residential and commercial spaces.

Real estate investment in Musandam has also been active, with trading surpassing RO5mn in the first half of the year. Transactions by GCC citizens grew 8.6% in the second quarter, while 19 usufruct contracts worth over RO58,000 were signed covering the industrial and agricultural sectors.

Addressing housing needs, the governorate allocated RO650,000 for housing assistance to 36 families in 2024. Royal Directives have resulted in commencement of construction of 60 housing units, including 20 in Kumzar, where another infrastructure project covering an area of 143,000sqm worth over RO4.2mn is underway.

Musandam’s tourism sector is set to expand with the onset of the winter season which will position the governorate as a global tourism destination through cultural, economic and entrepreneurial activities.

New healthcare facilities are being developed, including the Khasab and Madha Reference Hospitals, with the latter expected to be operational by late 2025. In education, the University of Technology and Applied Sciences in Musandam welcomed 300 students this academic year on its recently completed temporary campus.

Infrastructure work in the Mahas City project is now 91% complete. Additionally, the governorate is finalising agreements for four new factories to support industrial growth and create SME opportunities.