Muscat – The Ministry of Energy and Minerals (MEM) continues to strengthen Oman’s local content ecosystem through its flagship Majd programme, a key strategic pillar aimed at supporting the national economy and diversifying its sources of growth.

The Majd programme seeks to empower small and medium enterprises (SMEs), increase their participation in supply chains, and enhance reliance on national talent and locally produced goods, in line with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040.

The initiative has delivered tangible results, with local content reaching 30.3% by the end of the first quarter of 2025. Meanwhile, spending on sector purchases allocated to SMEs rose to 16.3%, reflecting the energy sector’s commitment to strengthening In-Country Value (ICV) and expanding localisation opportunities.

In a press statement, Dr Ali bin Salim al Rajhi, Director General of Planning at MEM, affirmed that the Majd programme represents a cornerstone of the Ministry’s efforts to enhance local content. He noted that MEM’s participation in local content laboratories has identified 13 localisation opportunities, including the establishment of a facility for manufacturing oil and gas pipes and a factory for recycling marble waste to extract precipitated calcium carbonate.

Dr Rajhi added that work is underway to complete the Local Content Certificate project, which will grant national companies preferential treatment in tenders based on an accurate evaluation of their contribution to the national economy – a move designed to encourage continuous development and expansion.

He also highlighted that, in collaboration with operating companies, MEM has launched the Mandatory List Initiative, covering 38 locally manufactured products and 63 services that must be included as part of tender requirements. This initiative aims to stimulate local investment and create new employment opportunities for citizens.

In addition, Dr Rajhi mentioned that a partnership with the Industrial Innovation Academy led to the establishment of a grout (Saroug) factory in Sohar with an investment of RO10mn, utilising locally sourced clay raw materials.

He stressed that the Ministry places strong emphasis on developing national competencies, continuing to allocate 1.2% of the value of oil and gas sector contracts and purchases to the Employment and Training Support Centre at the Ministry of Labour. The total amount collected in 2024 reached RO30.9mn, contributing to the training and qualification of national cadres to the highest standards.

Dr Rajhi further revealed that the Omanisation rate among operating companies in the oil and gas sector has reached 93%, while work is progressing to finalise the implementation details of the Omanisation strategy for the minerals sector to boost employment opportunities in mining.

He concluded by underscoring that these efforts demonstrate the Ministry’s commitment to transforming challenges into practical opportunities and strengthening the role of national institutions within supply chains. These initiatives, he said, align with Oman Vision 2040 and contribute to building a more competitive and sustainable energy and minerals sector capable of driving economic growth and generating quality job opportunities for future generations.