The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion of Oman (MOCIIP) updated the list of prohibited activities for foreign investors in Oman through Decision No. 364/2023. This list includes activities that foreign investors are not allowed to perform in Oman.
Foreign investors who intend to operate in Oman should be aware of the laws and regulations governing investment in this country before taking any action. Awareness of the list of prohibited activities for foreign investors can help them avoid engaging in activities that are not permitted for them.
List of Prohibited Activities
The list of prohibited activities for foreign investors in Oman is as follows:
| 1. Manufacture of Omani halwa (Omani dessert) |
| 2. Tailoring of Arab men wearing apparel |
| 3. Tailoring of non-Arab men wearing apparel |
| 4. Tailoring of Arab and non-Arab ladies wearing apparel |
| 5. Tailoring of sports clothing |
| 6. Tailoring of military uniform |
| 7. Manufacture of Omani kimma (Omani cap) |
| 8. Manufacture of women’s abaya (gown) |
| 9. Manufacture of Omani khanjar (traditional dagger) |
| 10. Transport and sale of drinking water |
| 11. Motor vehicle electrical repair and recharging of batteries |
| 12. Repairing and cleaning motor vehicle radiators |
| 13. Repairing punctured tyres and metal wheels |
| 14. Wheel balance |
| 15. Motor vehicle service stations |
| 16. Replacement of motor vehicle oils |
| 17. Repairing car air-conditioner |
| 18. Repairing motor vehicle exhaust pipe |
| 19. Car cleaning and polishing |
| 20. Wholesale of fruits and vegetables |
| 21. Wholesale of cooking gas |
| 22. Liquefied petrol gas filling stations |
| 23. Retail sale of fresh fruit, vegetables and dates in specialised stores |
| 24. Retail sale of honey in specialised stores |
| 25. Motor vehicle fuel stations |
| 26. Diesel fuel stations |
| 27. Retail sale of telephones and their accessories in specialised stores |
| 28. Retail sale of mobile telephones and their accessories in specialised stores |
| 29. Retail sale of souvenirs, paintings and gifts in specialised stores |
| 30. Retail sale of flowers and natural plants in specialised stores |
| 31. Retail sale of pottery and handicrafts in specialised stores |
| 32. Retail sale of cooking gas in specialised stores |
| 33. Retail sale of silverware and gifts in specialised stores |
| 34. Retail sale in specialised stores of cards of telecommunications services licensed in the Sultanate |
| 35. Retail sale of traditional weapons in specialised stores |
| 36. Retail sale of animal feed in specialised stores |
| 37. Retail sale of bags in specialised stores |
| 38. Retail sale of ceremony requirements in specialised stores |
| 39. Retail sale of fireworks in specialised stores |
| 40. Retail sale of Omani khanjar (traditional dagger) in specialised stores |
| 41. Retail sale of empty gas cylinders in specialised stores |
| 42. Retail sale of wedding cards in specialised stores |
| 43. Retail sale of handicraft products in specialised stores |
| 44. Retail sale of beekeeping supplies in specialised stores |
| 45. Pilgrim and umra performers’ transport |
| 46. Road transport by trucks of cooking gas cylinders |
| 47. Loading and unloading of goods |
| 48. Customs clearance offices |
| 49. Valuation of cancelled vehicles |
| 50. Insurance commission agent |
| 51. Real estate brokerage (auctioneer offices) |
| 52. Manpower recruitment offices |
| 53. Employment offices |
| 54. General cleaning of buildings |
| 55. Photocopying and typing services |
| 56. Transactions clearance offices |
| 57. Making and installation of neon signboards |
| 58. Managing and operating fuel stations |
| 59. Driving schools |
| 60. Elderly people care centres |
| 61. Orphanages |
| 62. Other library and archives activities |
| 63. Washing all kinds of clothes and textiles, except what is carried out in tourist establishments |
| 64. Ironing of clothes, except what is carried out in tourist establishments |
| 65. Laundry and steam ironing (dry cleaning), except what is carried out in tourist establishments |
| 66. Hair cutting, styling and shaving for men, except what is carried out in tourist establishments |
| 67. Hairdressing and cosmetic treatment for women, except what is carried out in tourist establishments |
| 68. Hair cutting and styling for children, except what is carried out in tourist establishments |
| 69. Operation of poultry hatcheries |
| 70. Beekeeping and production of honey and beeswax |
| 71. Marine fishing |
| 72. Slaughtering and preparing poultry, rabbits and birds |
| 73. Printing using photocopier machines, computer printers, embossers etc. |
| 74. Transport and sale of non-potable water |
| 75. Renting of cranes with operator |
| 76. Renting of construction machinery and other equipment operated by a worker |
| 77. Renting of construction or demolition equipment operated by a worker |
| 78. Wholesale of livestock |
| 79. Wholesale of fish and sea creatures |
| 80. Wholesale of fish products |
| 81. Retail sale in specialised stores of meat and meat products |
| 82. Retail sale in specialised stores of fish and other seafoods |
| 83. Retail sale in specialised stores of Omani halwa (Omani dessert) |
| 84. Retail sale in specialised stores of poultry (slaughtered) |
| 85. Retail sale in specialised stores of natural herbs |
| 86. Retail sale in specialised stores of medical herbs |
| 87. Retail sale in specialised stores of birds, pets and ornamental fish and their accessories |
| 88. Vehicle towing and recovery service |
| 89. Buying, selling and dividing land |
| 90. Renting and operating of self-owned or leased real estate (residential and non-residential) |
| 91. Operating of buildings (self-owned or leased) |
| 92. Appraisal services for real estate |
| 93. Building management (based on a fee or contract) |
| 94. Management of real estate owners associations |
| 95. Pets care service |