Muscat Governorate continues to implement various development and service projects that reflect its vision of advancing the quality of life, enhancing infrastructure, and supporting digital transformation. Thus meeting the objectives of Oman Vision 2040, which aims to achieve smart cities and a diversified and sustainable economy.
His Excellency Saud bin Hilal Al Busaidi, Governor of Muscat, stated that Muscat Governorate achieves a balance between economic, social and environmental development through an integrative institutional approach that combines strategic planning and field implementation, and collaborates closely with government entities, the private sector, civil and local community institutions.
He added Muscat is recognised as the beating heart of Oman, with government institutions and the headquarters of local and international companies. It features advanced infrastructure, including harbours, industrial zones, Muscat International Airport, incentives, accelerators, innovation and entrepreneurship centres.
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Development Projects and Infrastructure
His Excellency pointed out that Muscat Governorate marked a modern road network that has contributed to optimising traffic flow. Muscat Governorate recorded the lowest traffic congestion rates among Arab cities in 2025, with 118.7 points, according to the global Numbeo ranking, which measures the quality and efficiency of traffic, emissions and frustrations during mobility. This reflects the remarkable progress in the Governorate`s transportation system.
Within the Muscat Governorate Traffic Study 2025 Project, Muscat Municipality concluded field surveys to evaluate the road network and daily travel routes. According to results, 97 percent of daily trips involve private cars, while 71.9 percent are individual trips.
The project of dualising the Al Ansab-Al Jafnayn Road has currently accomplished 63% and runs 15 kilometres across three lanes each direction. This project comprises advancing four roundabouts and transforming them into multi-level intersections, constructing three main bridges connecting the road to the Al-Jafnayn Bridge, establishing 20 kilometres long service roads with rainwater drainage systems, and installing smart traffic lights to ensure proper mobility in all climatic conditions.
His Excellency noted that Al Mouj Street in Muscat Governorate is implementing a development project to optimise traffic and boost commercial and tourist activity. This project involves a third lane in each direction from Muscat International Airport Bridge to Al Ishraq Roundabout to Seeb Beach, installing a bridge and four traffic lights at Al Mouj Roundabout, and establishing an overpass and underpass for vehicles at Al Bahja Roundabout. This project will advance Al Ishraq Roundabout to a triple traffic light with lanes for continuous traffic to Seeb Beach. Moreover, creating a third lane from Al Mouj Roundabout to Al Mawaleh Bridge and two underpasses for vehicles from 18 November Road to Al Mawaleh Bridge. This project will enhance the efficiency of the vital road networks in Muscat and increase the quality of transportation and services.
His Excellency stated that Muscat Municipality assigned the project to connect the dual carriageway of Al-Nuzha Street to Muscat Expressway in Seeb, which aims to enhance traffic efficiency. This project comprises dual carriageways, service streets and traffic intersections with modern drainage systems. The route is 11 kilometres long, featuring a 3.5-kilometres single service road, six intersections with traffic lights, and a 2.5-kilometres drainage channel.
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Tourism and Urban Projects
The tourism projects that Muscat Governorate implements are significant pillars to diversify its economy and attract tourism. The most remarkable of these projects is the ‘Bimmah Sinkhole Development’ in Quriyat, which constitutes the largest environmental and tourism project in Oman, occupying approximately half a million square metres. This project combines entertainment and environmental sustainability. It consists of spacious green spaces, international-standards camping facilities and caravans, cycling tracks and event areas. As well as, using solar energy and water recycling units. This project will create around 300 jobs and accommodate more than 800 visitors daily during peak times.
The Mutrah Cable Car project introduces Oman`s identity, combining the spirit of history with the modern era. This project spans three kilometres and includes three key stations: Mutrah Port Station, which welcomes visitors and tourists from cruise ships, Al Raya Peak Station, which is the largest and provides entertainment facilities, international restaurants and an open-air theatre; and the Rose Quarter Station overlooking the sea, which includes a dancing fountain and multi-use commercial spaces. Thus, it creates a unique tourist and investment destination.
This year, Muscat Municipality inaugurated the Al Khuwair Square project in the Ministries District, covering more than 21,000 square metres. It features green spaces ranging over 9,000 square metres, walking and cycling paths, a café run by Omani entrepreneurs, public facilities and car parkings, and a 126-metre-high flagpole, which is one of the capital`s most conspicuous landmarks.
- Digital Transformation and Smart Initiatives
Muscat Governorate`s efforts were marked by honoured with the ‘Hadatha’ Award for Excellence in Cybersecurity in 2025 in the government institutions category, which appreciates its excellent success in the National Cybersecurity Index and its secure and integrated digital system.
Muscat Governorate confirmed its effective participation in the COMEX Global Technology Show 2025 as a noticeable participant, to highlight modern technology`s role to support digital transformation and quality of life. The Muscat Municipality pavilion was an interactive platform that displayed the most prominent digital projects and smart initiatives. They included inaugurating the new homepage of the Muscat Municipality website, the smart system for issuing violations, monitoring random landfill waste, smart traps for Aedes mosquitoes, and the fleet management system. The Muscat Smart Cities and Autonomous Control Centre, the geospatial portal, and the ‘Etamid’ Platform, which exemplifies integration between data and government services, were showcased.
The pavilion conducted numerous specialised practical workshops that addressed topics relating to smart cities, digital transformation and spatial mapping, the stages of developing a call centre into a digital centre equipped with interactive voice response (IVR) and communication via WhatsApp. Hence, engagement was a platform to share knowledge and experiences and strengthen institutional partnerships in digital transformation.
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Municipal Council in Muscat Governorate
The Municipal Council in Muscat Governorate pursues its development and service work, based on enhancing quality of life and achieving sustainable development in six wilayats. During 2025, the Council conducted remarkable activities through its meetings, standing committees and field visits, which boost municipal and development services and fulfil the objectives of Oman Vision 2040.
During this period, the Council discussed numerous topics and issued recommendations in coordination with the relevant entities. These recommendations addressed various urban, service and social issues,. They include reviewing regulatory decisions for using residential buildings for commercial purposes, and infrastructure development projects such as master plan for the Grand Muscat project and designing the Wadi Al- Meih Road linking Muscat and Al Amerat.
As part of social and developmental matters, the Council visited mountain villages in Quriyat to assess residents` requirements and service projects, confirming government efforts to achieve local development. The Council paid attention to the educational environment, discussing the requirements of private school buildings in coordination with the Ministry of Education to ensure a safe and sustainable educational environment.
The Health and Social Affairs Committees visited the Muscat Taafi Centre in Al-Amerat, appreciating the national efforts in treating addiction and rehabilitation. As well as, discussing a proposal to establish a "beach friendly to people with disabilities and the elderly". It highlighted promoting preventive and community programmes.
The Development and Progress Committee followed up implementing the "Mutrah Cable Car" project due to its tourism and economic value. They reviewed the model neighbourhood proposal and several projects that contribute to the Council`s vision to achieve urban progress that boosts the urban and economic identity of Muscat Governorate and expresses as a model of national progress and prosperity.
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Historical and Archaeological Landmarks
Muscat Governorate has numerous unique historical sites and archaeological landmarks that embody Omani civilisation, culture and identity. According to the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism`s statistics, until the end of March 2025, the governorate involves 242 registered historical and archaeological landmarks, distributing among 99 towers, 47 mosques, 43 houses, 16 neighbourhoods, 15 castles, 13 forts, 8 walls, and one water fountain.
The restored landmarks totalled 78 archaeological sites, consisting of 39 towers, 22 houses, 8 mosques, 5 forts, and 3 castles. Furthermore, three investment sites that contribute to boosting heritage tourism and benefiting from its precious cultural heritage.
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Environment, Sustainability and Afforestation
Muscat Municipality conducted periodic campaigns to plant trees and increase green spaces in various wilayats, coinciding with Omani Agriculture Day. These campaigns distributed seedlings to schools and citizens and arranged group events in Seeb, Bawshar and Al Amerat. Alongside specialised workshops on plant care methods and enhancing the quality of the urban environment by agriculture.
Muscat Governorate, representing Muscat Municipality, implements the Al Nahda City Walkway project in Al Amerat, which is 1,600 metres long and has two walking and cycling paths.
Furthermore, rehabilitating the Qantab Valley stream in Muscat, which comprised installing 700 metres of lined gravel, constructing the paved walkway, and reinforcing the valley`s side protection. Besides, Al Sifah Park project overlooks the sea, which covers 8,400 square metres. It comprises green spaces, playgrounds, walkways, and public facilities, providing an attractive urban environment for community and tourist activities.
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Projects and Initiatives to Benefit Fishermen
The Sea Traditions Committees in Muscat Governorate preserve Oman`s maritime heritage and advance the fishery sector by engaging in decision-making and solving disputes among fishermen to ensure sustainability of fishery resources and optimise workers` conditions. There are 30 marine fishing committees in Oman, consisting of five committees in Muscat Governorate, distributed in Muscat, Mutrah, Quriyat, Seeb and Bawshar, to connect official authorities and fishing community. Thus, it regulates fishing according to local customs and traditions.
The Sea Traditions Committees perform several key functions. They consist of recommendations to advance fishery resources, contributing to drafting relevant legislations and regulations, and resolving fishermen disputes. The committees improve services at fishing ports and landings sites, monitor catches, strengthen the operational efficiency of fishing fleet and infrastructure, contribute to events and activities associated with this sector, and boost fish marketing in collaboration with fishermen and traders. Thereby boosting this vital sector and its contribution to local development.
Muscat Governorate has abundant fishery resources, which constitute a cornerstone to fulfil food security and diversify the national economy. Muscat Governorate supports this vital sector through projects that develop fishing harbours, offer services to fishermen and enhance maritime infrastructure. The governorate has experienced rapid increase in government and private investment in aquaculture. Thus contributing to achieving the objectives of Oman Vision 2040 by increasing production and enhancing the added value of marine products.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources implemented several projects, ranging from running the fish market at Seeb Port and establishing fish landing points in Mutrah and Quriyat, to floating cage fish farming projects in Seeb and Quriyat worth over OMR 30 million. The governorate is experiencing advanced research efforts in fisheries, which involve projects to improve aquaculture techniques, techniques, advance local feeding and protect the marine environment. These efforts promote Muscat Governorate as a key centre for sustainable marine growth in Oman.
Muscat Governorate supports small and medium-sized enterprises as a cornerstone of the national economy. The contracts to this sector rose to 114.5% in 2024, totalling OMR 65,379,496. The contracts to small and medium-sized enterprises reached 1,293 out of 3104 contracts in the third quarter of 2025, representing nearly 18% of the total contracts.
The festivals and events in 2024 empowered small and medium-sized enterprises and productive families through offering 193 contracts to small and medium-sized enterprises and 94 contracts to productive families. As well as, creating 1,600 direct jobs within the Governorate`s events and 141 jobs within the street vendors’ project, which comprises 47 carts and 11 jobs within specific initiatives. The Masar projects support entrepreneurship via arranging street vendor activities and a safe and urban environment for mobile commercial business.
Muscat Governorate achieved two national awards in the third edition of the National Institutional Innovation and Change Management Competition, conducted by the Ministry of Labour in association with the OQ Group. These awards appreciated its efforts to advance government performance and service quality, and promote institutional innovation. This honour confirms the Governorate within exceptional government institutions in continuous improvement and successful workplace that inspires national competencies and achieves Oman Vision 2040 purposes regarding an innovative and efficient administrative system.
Muscat Governorate implements future development projects throughout all wilayats. As part of the Governorate efforts to strengthen economic and urban progress and promote the quality of services for citizens and residents.
Through these projects and initiatives, Muscat Governorate is committed to continuous development, improving the quality of life. Besides promoting the principles of sustainability and decentralisation in all sectors. This achieves the aspirations of Oman Vision 2040 to create smart cities, a diversified economy, and prosperous people who participate efficiently in construction and progress.