The Tender Board awarded a number of new development projects and additional and supplementary works across various sectors during the first half of 2025, with a total value exceeding OMR 246 million. These efforts are part of the government's ongoing strategy to promote comprehensive development and upgrade infrastructure and public services throughout the Sultanate of Oman.
Highest-Value Projects
Among the most valuable projects awarded were the design and construction of 20 fully integrated school buildings across several governorates in phases one and two. These projects aim to support the education sector by providing a complete school environment that meets the needs of students and teaching staff, while also fostering a conducive and attractive atmosphere for learning.
Additionally, the Tender Board awarded a contract for the construction of a multi-purpose port in the Wilayat of Masirah in the South Al Sharqiyah Governorate. This strategic project is expected to support economic and service-related activities in the wilayat and strengthen its maritime and logistical capabilities.
In the technology sector, the board approved a central licensing agreement for Microsoft software for government institutions for a period of three years, as well as an Oracle software licensing agreement for four years. These agreements aim to enhance the efficiency of the government's digital ecosystem and support the transition to e-government services.
Infrastructure Projects
Key infrastructure works awarded included a road paving network in the Wilayat of Al Qabil in North Al Sharqiyah, the construction of an asphalt road in the Wilayat of Dhank, and the dualization of the Dibba road in Musandam Governorate. Also included was the rehabilitation of the Hazm–Wushail roundabout road in the Wilayat of Rustaq.
Groundwater recharge dam projects were also approved in several wilayats, including Wadi Kid Dam in Bahla and additional dams in Dima and Al-Tayyin. These are part of national efforts to enhance water security and manage water resources efficiently.
Health and Medical Projects
In the health sector, the Tender Board approved the procurement of medications and medical supplies for the Ministry of Health, including dialysis consumables and laboratory equipment for the Central Public Health Laboratory. Additionally, contracts were awarded for routine maintenance of radiology, ventilator, and endoscopy equipment in various government hospitals, along with the provision of technical staff to operate and maintain equipment in Nizwa and Rustaq hospitals.
The board also approved supplementary works for existing projects, including the rehabilitation of the southern runway and taxiways at Muscat International Airport, and the Oman Botanic Garden project. Annual road maintenance contracts were approved for asphalting roads in the Interior and Dhofar governorates, along with development of the Al-Hosn area in the Wilayat of Al Khaboura.
Tourism and Media Initiatives
In the tourism and media sectors, the board approved the appointment of a tourism representative company in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It also contracted an international media network as a media partner for key forums and participation in the Arabian Travel Market exhibition.
Advancing Balanced Development
The Authority for Projects, Tenders, and Local Content told Oman Daily that the awarded development projects reflect the government's strong commitment to enhancing infrastructure and achieving balanced development across all regions of the Sultanate. The board's decisions are aligned with national efforts to integrate various sectoral initiatives to improve service quality and support Oman Vision 2040 goals.
The diversity of projects further demonstrates the commitment to expanding contract opportunities and maximizing in-country value (ICV) by supporting national companies and ensuring transparency and efficiency in the tendering process. The Authority reaffirmed its strategic role in advancing the implementation of government plans and initiatives.
In line with the government's support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and enhancing their contribution to the national economy, the Authority places strong emphasis on empowering these businesses to participate in public tenders and contracts. At least 10% of total government procurement and tender value is earmarked for SMEs to promote economic diversification and entrepreneurship.
Supporting SMEs
Recent years have seen notable growth in the number of SMEs registered with the Authority through the “Isnad" platform, with approximately 2,400 SMEs registered—at least 15% of which have already benefited from awarded contracts.
This growth highlights the increasing engagement of entrepreneurs with the Isnad platform, bolstered by several facilitative and incentive-based measures such as exemption from registration fees, reduced tender document fees, and waivers for provisional guarantees. These efforts have helped ease financial and administrative burdens and enabled fair competition for government contracts.
The Authority affirmed that empowering SMEs is a cornerstone of comprehensive economic development. Ongoing reforms in supportive policies and streamlined procedures aim to foster a resilient and competitive private sector and ensure equilibrium in the public contracting ecosystem.
It further noted that the next phase will include additional initiatives to boost SME participation rates and project allocations, in line with national objectives to enhance local content and raise its contribution to GDP.