Governorate Overview
Adh Dhahirah, centred on the city of Ibri, serves as a western gateway connecting Oman with the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The governorate has significant oil and gas production alongside emerging mining operations. Agricultural activity centres on date palm cultivation and livestock. The Ibri solar PV project (500 MW) represents one of Oman’s largest renewable energy installations.
Key Investment Metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Population | 230,000 |
| Share of national GDP | 3% |
| Key sectors | oil and gas, mining, agriculture, cross-border trade |
| Investment zones | Ibri Industrial Zone, border trade facilities |
Infrastructure
The governorate’s infrastructure base includes Ibri highway, UAE and Saudi border access, Ibri solar plant grid connection. Government investment in transport connectivity and utilities continues to expand, with Vision 2040 infrastructure programmes prioritising underserved regions.
Priority Investment Opportunities
Key opportunities in Adh Dhahirah include Solar energy expansion, mining value-addition, border logistics, agricultural modernisation. The governorate administration actively supports investor facilitation through the One-Stop-Shop service centres established under the Invest Oman initiative.
Regulatory Environment
Investment in Adh Dhahirah benefits from national-level regulatory frameworks including the Foreign Capital Investment Law, Commercial Companies Law, and sector-specific licensing through relevant ministries. Free zone establishments offer additional regulatory flexibility and incentive packages.
Vision 2040 Alignment
The Adh Dhahirah Governorate Development Plan aligns with Vision 2040’s balanced regional development objectives. Priority investment areas have been identified through governorate-level strategic planning processes, with dedicated budgetary allocations for enabling infrastructure and human capital development.