New infographic highlights Sultanate's growth story as momentum builds in non-oil sector

Oman, 24 February 2015

The facts and figures telling the story of Oman's drive to diversify its economy are put under the microscope in a new report just released by the global publishing, research and consultancy firm Oxford Business Group (OBG).

The data shows that while petroleum activities accounted for 46.9% of GDP in 2013, the non-oil sector grew steadily by an average of 10.33% annually over the 2010-13 period. The expansion under way in Oman's tourism industry is another focal point of the group's research, with figures indicating that hotel rooms were up 15.5% from 10,550 in 2009 to 12,180 in 2012 as the country moves to accommodate the rising number of visitors.

The Report: Oman 2015, which marks OBG's eleventh economic investment guide to Oman, is available for sale in print or download from the OBG website.

The publication contains a contribution from Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said, together with a detailed, sector-by-sector guide for investors. It also features a wide range of interviews with leading representatives, including Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Mayor of London Boris Johnson and the CEO of Takamul Investment Company Nabil Al Ghassani.

It shines the spotlight on Oman's oil production, which is once again on the rise, following the discoveries of new reserves and improved extraction techniques. There is also coverage of the government's increasing focus on downstream processing, including its plans to develop a complementary port infrastructure and transport network.

Topical issues, such as the increasing focus on in-country value, the Omanisation of the workforce and the country's drive to boost the number of private sector jobs, are also looked at in detail.

OBG's Managing Editor Oliver Cornock shared his thoughts on these and other issues related to Oman's development with the economic analyst Nicholas Anderman ahead of the launch in a videoclip which can be viewed on OBG's website at www.oxfordbusinessgroup.com.

Cornock told Anderman that the Sultanate's strategic location on several major trade routes had produced "myriad opportunities" for investors in the supply chain and logistics segments. "We're seeing infrastructure being built around a huge capacity for import and export," Cornock told Anderman. "Add to that a rapidly developing road system, airport expansion and the GCC-wide rail network project, and it becomes clear that Oman is ideally suited to the role of transhipment hub for all manner of goods."

OBG's CEO, Andrew Jeffreys adds that he is delighted to be able to illustrate the group's findings by way of the new infographic.

"Oxford Business Group is always looking for new ways of keeping its readers optimally informed on the investment opportunities emerging across the markets it covers, recognising that this is an increasingly important requirement from business leaders as countries like Oman move roll out their long-term plans for development," he said. "I am confident that investors will find the combination of detailed analysis, which has become a hallmark of our reports, and our newly-available 'at a glance' data a rich mix of business intelligence to draw on, enabling them to make their decisions fully informed and with confidence." 

The Report: Oman 2015 marks the culmination of more than six months of field research by a team of analysts from OBG. The publication assesses trends and developments across the economy, including macroeconomics, infrastructure, banking and other sectoral developments. It will be available in print or online.

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About Oxford Business Group
Oxford Business Group (OBG) is a global publishing, research and consultancy firm, which publishes economic intelligence on the markets of Middle East, Asia, Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean Through its range of print and online products, OBG offers comprehensive and accurate analysis of macroeconomic and sectoral developments, including banking, capital markets, insurance, energy, transport, industry and telecoms. The publication has been produced with the National Center for Statistics and Information (NCSI), while contributions have also been made by Ominvest, PwC and the law firm Dentons.

The critically acclaimed economic and business reports have become the leading source of business intelligence on developing countries in the regions they cover. OBG's online economic briefings provide up-to-date in-depth analysis on the issues that matter for tens of thousands of subscribers worldwide. OBG's consultancy arm offers tailor-made market intelligence and advice to firms currently operating in these markets and those looking to enter them.

For more information please contact:
Oxford Business Group
131-151 Gt Titchfield St, London, UK W1W 5BB
Stephanie Parker, Director of Communications
Phone: +44 207 403 7213
E-mail: sparker@oxfordbusinessgroup.com
www.oxfordbusinessgroup.com

© Press Release 2015