The Business Year Oman 2020

When the experienced TBY team landed in Muscat in September 2019 to start its seventh annual research on the Sultanate's economy, it could have never imagined the uniqueness of the times ahead. Early 2020 saw the passing away of the Father of the Nation, His Majesty Late Sultan Qaboos bin Said, and the appointment of the new leader, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq. This was thought to be Oman's defining event in 2020, but shortly after, the COVID-19 outbreak touched every corner of the world, and oil prices continuously sunk to record lows. No doubt it is a trying time, but we see this 2020 edition of The Business Year: Oman as ushering a new era for the Sultanate. With a refreshed, forward-looking perspective, this 260-page publication analyzes how the business community is embracing innovation and technology to create a competitive, diversified economy.

Oman, for some time, has been a nation on the move. An integral part of the GCC, it is also seeking to extend its influence further afield via the development of port infrastructure that is set to make it a firm fixture on the East-West transport route. But Oman isn't developing unguided, instead sticking faithfully to Vision 2040, a wide-ranging, ambitious blueprint that foresees the development of a diverse, sustainable economy unshackled by a reliance on oil and gas, which currently plagues much of the region. In this edition, which features interviews with top business leaders from across the economy, as well as news and analysis, we cover: diplomacy, finance, Vision 2040, 4th Industrial Revolution, digital innovation, sustainability, logistics, real estate, agribusiness, and tourism and retail.

The Business Year: Oman 2024, produced in partnership with the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, is a key guidebook to the dynamic and rapidly evolving business landscape of Oman. As the nation continues to navigate its Vision 2040 objectives, recent developments have underscored its commitment to economic diversification and sustainable growth. From transformative infrastructure projects to the burgeoning tech sector, Oman is embracing innovation while honoring its rich heritage. This issue delves into the strategic initiatives driving these changes, offering a comprehensive overview of the country's economic trajectory. In this edition, we bring you exclusive insights from the minds shaping Oman's future. Our interviews with top business leaders provide a nuanced understanding of the challenges and opportunities within various industries. These conversations reveal the strategic thinking and forward-looking policies propelling Oman towards a prosperous and resilient economy. Through detailed analysis and expert perspectives, we aim to provide our readers with a thorough understanding of Oman's business environment, highlighting the key trends and developments that are setting the stage for the next phase of growth.

The Business Year has charted the course of the Omani economy for a decade, and this year we focused on the Sultanate’s diversification plan and its sustainability agenda. While the country is less hydrocarbons rich than its GCC neighbors, infrastructure and renewable energy development, as well as green hydrogen, could be driving forces for growth in the years to come. Both the public and private sectors closely follow the tenets of Vision 2040, a wide-ranging blueprint for growth the kind of which has become ubiquitous across the region. The Business Year: Oman 2023 features interviews, articles, and analysis over 185 pages.

As Ecuador and the world at large grapple with the emerging challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important not to forget the fundamentals of the Ecuadorian economy and the success stories of 2019 and the start of 2020. We believe contained within these pages is an accurate, balanced account of the state of the Ecuadorian economy as of publication, told through the words of the dozens of top public- and private-sector figures. The Business Year's country-specific publications, sometimes featuring over 150 face-to-face interviews, are among the most comprehensive annual economic publications available internationally. This 212-page publication covers green economy, finance, hydrocarbons, mining, agriculture, construction, industry, transport, education, health, ICT, and tourism.

Qatar's road to diversification is paved with ambitious investment programs in a host of sectors, such as agribusiness, IT, and food security. These investment programs and the trends and challenges shaping the Qatari economy are covered in great detail in The Business Year: Qatar 2020, our sixth publication dedicated to the country, produced in partnership with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Qatari Businessmen Association. Over the period of our fact-finding, time and time again we were struck by the positive approach of the different stakeholders to tackling the blockade introduced in 2017. Investors looking to understand the major trends and key players in the Qatari economy will find what they need within the pages of this publication. The Business Year's country-specific publications, sometimes featuring over 150 face-to-face interviews, are among the most comprehensive annual economic publications available internationally.

The Business Year conducted more than 200 face-to-face interviews with leading investors, business leaders, and government representatives from all key sectors driving the country’s economic growth for this 336-page publication. In partnership with the Federation of the Saudi Chambers, we have created a comprehensive analysis of the trends defining the economy of the Kingdom, focusing on its resilience and the efforts of the government to build a new image and position the country as a leading player both at a regional and international level.