In line with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040 aimed at enhancing the governance of the State’s administrative apparatus, resources, and projects, Royal Decree No. (57/2025) was issued to change the name of the Secretariat General of the Tender Board to the Authority for Projects, Tenders, and Local Content.
This amendment comes in light of previous achievements to ensure their sustainability and to strengthen an integrated system aimed at improving the efficiency of government spending on projects and procurements, and maximizing local content. It reflects a strategic shift in managing government projects and procurements and affirms the Authority’s leadership role in this field.
This amendment embodies an ambitious vision to build an integrated national institutional model that treats government projects and procurements as strategic levers for economic development. It also transforms local content policies from general guidelines into measurable and traceable institutional procedures, aiming to enhance the management of projects and government procurements according to performance sustainability and economic efficiency standards.
These efforts culminated in the adoption of the National Local Content Policy, based on the Royal directives of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq — may God protect him — who emphasized the importance of local content as a cornerstone for achieving comprehensive and sustainable development. The policy was approved during the Cabinet session held on 9 January 2024. Under this policy, the Authority is entrusted with organizing and monitoring local content across all sectors nationally, developing national and sector-specific indicators that reflect local content rates in line with Oman Vision 2040. The Authority also works to ensure data integration and unify systems, practices, and general regulations associated with local content according to established pillars and performance indicators.
The approval of the National Local Content Policy marks a pivotal milestone in the journey of comprehensive development. The Authority is now working on developing clear indicators and measurable methodologies to monitor and evaluate local content across various sectors, covering all units of the State’s administrative apparatus, government-owned companies, and the private sector — thereby contributing to maximizing the local added value generated through government projects and procurement.
Statement of His Excellency the Chairman of the Authority
His Excellency Eng. Badr bin Salem Al Ma’amari, Chairman of the Authority for Projects, Tenders, and Local Content, said:
“I take this opportunity to congratulate His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq — may God preserve and protect him — on the occasion of the Glorious National Day, during which we proudly recall the achievements of Oman’s renewed renaissance and the progress our nation has witnessed across various sectors.
“I would also like to affirm that the Authority continues to work with determination to implement its initiatives and development programs, contributing to reinforcing the national economy and supporting the development pathways of the Sultanate under His Majesty’s wise leadership. This national occasion inspires us with strength and motivation to continue serving and building this dear homeland. We ask God Almighty to bless His Majesty with continued health and well-being, and to grant Oman and its people further prosperity and stability.”
His Excellency added that changing the name of the Secretariat General of the Tender Board to the Authority for Projects, Tenders, and Local Content represents a qualitative leap in the governance of government projects and procurements. It reflects a strategic shift toward managing this vital system through an integrated institutional approach with developmental and economic dimensions.
He explained that the amendment builds on past achievements to ensure their sustainability through comprehensive governance of projects and procurements anchored in the priorities and strategic goals of Oman Vision 2040 — economic diversification, fiscal sustainability, private-sector empowerment, and improved spending efficiency.
His Excellency emphasized that supporting and developing local content is the path to the future, inspired by Oman Vision 2040 and His Majesty’s directives to empower national talent to be key partners in developing Omani products and services. He added that the recently launched “Imdad” program reflects this national vision by linking training with employment and turning aspirations into competencies — building a developmental path that nurtures hope and strengthens confidence in national talents contributing to the nation’s progress.
He also noted that the Authority adopts an integration model with all relevant entities to achieve shared national goals and raise awareness of the importance of local content, turning it into a practical and sustainable culture. Current meetings highlight the importance of collective work and unified efforts toward building a sustainable economy rooted in local content, where each trained talent and supported Omani product becomes a building block in the nation’s foundation.
Eng. Badr Al Ma’amari further emphasized the ongoing efforts to implement specialized training programs for employees to qualify Omani talent in enhancing the efficiency of government projects and contracts, ensuring accuracy, speed, and transparency through unified and organized work.
Projects and Tenders
During the first half of 2025, the Tender Board awarded a number of new projects as well as additional and complementary works across various sectors, with a total value exceeding 264 million Omani rials. This reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening comprehensive development and improving infrastructure and public services across the Sultanate, aligned with Oman Vision 2040.
The diversity of awarded projects demonstrates the commitment to expanding opportunities and maximizing local added value by supporting national companies and upholding transparency and efficiency in contract awards. The Authority continues to play its pivotal role as a strategic enabler for implementing government plans and initiatives.
The Authority reported positive performance indicators in government projects, including an increase in the number of tenders floated during the first half of 2025 to 58 tenders, reflecting improved planning and accelerated project implementation.
Government Procurement
The Authority achieved positive results in government procurement during the first half of 2025, recording over 7 million Omani rials in savings.
The largest savings — more than 6 million rials — came from the ICT sector, with the remainder from facility management, government vehicle provision, and heavy equipment projects.
The procurement documentation cycle was streamlined by 70%, resulting in unified procedures, data automation, enhanced governance, precise assignment of responsibilities, and greater transparency. The new cycle is expected to reduce tendering and contracting periods and accelerate project implementation with higher efficiency.
These improvements reflect the Authority’s commitment to transparency, efficient spending, and improved project outcomes in line with sustainable development objectives. In collaboration with government and private entities, the Authority also conducted a comprehensive review of procedures related to project implementation, holding more than 25 workshops to discuss governance and organization of development projects.
Support for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
Recent years have witnessed remarkable growth in SME registrations with the Authority. Statistics show an increase of 267% in SME registrations during the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, and a 125% increase in SME project awards.
This rise reflects entrepreneurs’ growing engagement with the “Isnad” platform, supported by incentives such as waived registration fees, reduced tender document fees, and exemption from temporary security deposits.
The Authority emphasized that empowering SMEs is fundamental to achieving comprehensive economic development. It highlighted that continued policy development and simplification of procedures will help build a resilient, competitive private sector and promote balance in government contracting.
National Local Content Laboratory
In January, the Authority inaugurated the National Local Content Laboratory with participation from more than 43 public and private entities at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The laboratory discussed key topics aimed at strengthening local content to boost the national economy, such as encouraging companies to rely on local resources, working with educational institutions to develop skills, empowering local enterprises to expand, and partnering with international stakeholders to promote Omani products globally.
The lab targets key sectors including energy and minerals, construction, electricity and water, health, defense, and security — supporting local products, creating jobs, enhancing workforce skills, expanding industrial capacity, and promoting innovation and technology transfer.
Imkan Program for Developing Project and Contract Management Talent
The “Imkan” program, in its first and second editions, successfully trained a large number of engineers working in government entities, enhancing their competencies in project and contract management.
The program focuses on strategic planning, risk management, transparency, and global best practices, while integrating advanced digital analytics and AI tools.
The Authority’s Project Monitoring Office has also developed an integrated project database capturing project types, staffing needs, and administrative structures. Among its outputs is a “Skills Basket” that helps identify and allocate talent effectively.
More than 1,028 engineers have benefited from the program, including 400 directly involved in project work across construction, procurement, and technical fields, with 177 engineers earning the PMP certification.
“Imkan 3” focuses on project and contract management with applied technical training, benefiting around 21 government entities.
“Imkan Plus” is designed for Omani engineers working in SMEs, helping them overcome challenges and develop talent pools aligned with local content requirements.
Governorate Ambassadors Initiative
The “Governorate Ambassadors” forum — organized by the Authority in cooperation with governorate offices — aims to facilitate knowledge exchange among specialists in tenders, project management, and government procurement.
Its first stop at the Muscat Governor’s Office included presentations on the governorate’s development projects, local content importance, price indicators, and project preparation methodologies.
Participation in Events and Digital Platforms
The Authority participated in several national events, including the 20th edition of the Oman Real Estate Conference and Exhibition, where it highlighted the role of local content in real estate development and enabling Omani suppliers to participate in supply chains.
At COMEX 2025, the Authority showcased advanced digital platforms that support digital transformation, streamline government processes, and provide accurate performance indicators to accelerate decision-making.
Digital Platforms
Isnad Platform
The first of its kind in Oman for managing government tenders and procurement — enhancing transparency, fair competition, and SME participation.
Ada’ Platform
A unified platform for tracking government projects from planning to closure, ensuring full transparency and enabling data-driven planning and faster implementation.
Amanah Platform
Focused on analyzing contract and purchase order data to reduce waste, enhance transparency, and consolidate future procurement requests.
Takamul System
On 6 October 2025, the development phase of the national “Takamul” system for managing government projects and procurement was launched.
The system aims to unify and automate procedures across projects, procurement, contracts, and local content for all government entities. It is expected to go live for 10 government entities in the second quarter of 2027, with others joining gradually.
Engagement and Collaboration
The Authority held an extensive dialogue meeting with entrepreneurs to enhance SME participation in government projects and contracts and address challenges in the procurement environment. SME registration has significantly increased, covering sectors such as construction, maintenance, roads, electromechanical work, ICT, engineering services, and consultancy.
National “Imdad” Program
In November, the Authority launched the national “Imdad” program to empower job seekers and develop national capabilities across sectors. Established in 2012, Imdad has