Tag: Oman
Gulf women in STEM: the private sector’s answer to nationalization pressure
Women account for up to 57% of STEM graduates across Arab countries, yet only 23% work in STEM jobs. As GCC nationalisation quotas tighten in 2026, HR leaders who understand this gap — and act on it — will hold a measurable compliance advantage over those who do not. This is Part 1 of a two-part series.
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India-Gulf Trade: Investment, Ports, and CEPAs in 2026
Bilateral trade between India and the GCC reached USD 178.56 billion in 2024-25. This analysis covers sovereign investment flows, the RELIEF scheme for MSME exporters, Oman port diversification, CEPA terms by country, and what the incoming India-GCC Free Trade Agreement changes for corporate decision-makers.
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Cybersecurity Risk in the GCC: What Budget Cuts Actually Cost You
Cybersecurity risk for GCC firms is rising precisely as security budgets shrink. This analysis examines how rapid AI deployment, cross-border digital trade agreements, and the region’s fintech expansion have widened the attack surface for enterprises across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Bahrain — and what boards need to prioritise before the next breach.
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Omanization in a Downturn: How Oman Turned Nationalization Compliance Into a Financial Decision for Private Employers
In 2026, Omanization compliance is no longer an administrative target. Ministerial Decision 602/2025 has made a company’s national hiring ratio a direct variable in its work permit costs — discounting fees by 30 percent for compliant firms and doubling them for non-compliant ones. This article explains the full fee structure, the OMR 100 million fine waiver, and what both mean for foreign investors operating in Oman.
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US Tariffs Are Pushing GCC States Toward Asian Trade Partners
US tariffs have closed Western market access for Gulf manufacturers and made transatlantic neutrality economically unworkable. The UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar are responding with bilateral trade deals across Asia, redirected export lanes, and a sovereign wealth reallocation away from US Treasuries. This analysis covers the CEPA frameworks reshaping Gulf trade, the industrial sectors already affected, and the supply chain and treasury decisions GCC executives need to make now.
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Oman’s Personal Income Tax: Who Pays, Who Is Exempt, and What It Means for Expats
Royal Decree No. 56/2025 makes Oman the first GCC state to introduce a personal income tax. The law sets a 5% flat rate on income above OMR 42,000 and takes effect on January 1, 2028. This article covers the full threshold mechanics, exempt income categories, residency rules, and employer withholding obligations.
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Chinese Steel Redirection: The Structural Threat to Gulf Manufacturers
China exported a record 131 million metric tonnes of steel in 2025, and GCC markets absorbed a significant share. This investigation covers the subsidised surplus mechanics, the Strait of Hormuz supply crunch, the split between primary producers and downstream fabricators, and what the green steel transition changes for Gulf manufacturers.
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Hiring freeze meets nationalization quota: how Gulf HR teams are coping
Gulf HR directors face a hard deadline in May 2026: nationalisation quotas are enforced with full penalties while hiring remains frozen across logistics, finance, and hospitality. The UAE’s June 30 Emiratisation target, Saudi Arabia’s new Nitaqat Mutawar phase, and updated fee structures in Qatar and Oman all carry immediate financial consequences. This article sets out what each country requires and how leading organizations are meeting targets without adding headcount.
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Oman Agriculture and Fisheries Growth Outpaces Tech in Non-Oil GDP Pivot
Oman agriculture and fisheries growth reached 12.5% in Q2 2025, outpacing the domestic technology sector by more than 2.5x. The NCSI data shows how Chinese export redirection, investment in controlled-environment farming, and a talent shift toward AgriTech are reshaping the GCC’s non-oil economy. This article breaks down the sector-by-sector numbers and what they mean for GCC business leaders allocating capital in 2025 and beyond.
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OPEC+ production vs. fiscal breakevens: a country-by-country scorecard
OPEC+ quota agreements cap revenue across GCC states while fiscal breakevens remain elevated. This scorecard ranks Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, and Bahrain on five variables and quantifies the gap between production-constrained income and budget requirements.
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Liquidity That Cannot Move Is Not Liquidity
The global banking system holds $27 trillion in prefunded accounts, but recent disruptions in the Gulf have exposed a deeper issue. Liquidity that cannot move becomes a constraint in times of crisis. This analysis explores how GCC economies are responding by shifting toward direct settlement systems and wholesale digital currencies to improve financial resilience.
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The GCC Super-Highway: How the Riyadh–Dubai–Muscat Corridor Is Removing the Final Barrier to EV Adoption
As urban charging density reaches maturity across the GCC, the next test for electric vehicles is long-distance travel. Along the 1,500 km Riyadh–Dubai–Muscat corridor, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman are building a coordinated network of ultra-fast chargers, grid upgrades, and regulatory mandates designed for reliability across borders and extreme climates. This corridor is emerging as the proving ground for electric mobility at Gulf scale.
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