Overview
Tanfeedh (the National Programme for Enhancing Economic Diversification) served as a bridge between Vision 2020 and Vision 2040, focusing on accelerating diversification through rapid-result initiatives. Understanding its relationship to Vision 2040 clarifies Oman’s planning evolution.
Tanfeedh Programme
Tanfeedh, launched in 2016 following the oil price collapse, used Malaysia’s Big Fast Results methodology to identify quick-win diversification projects across tourism, manufacturing, logistics, mining, and fisheries. The programme operated through sector-specific labs that brought together government and private sector stakeholders to develop and commit to specific initiatives with defined timelines and accountability.
Vision 2040 Framework
Vision 2040 is a comprehensive 20-year national strategy that subsumes and extends Tanfeedh’s sectoral focus within a broader framework encompassing governance, human capital, social development, and environmental sustainability. Vision 2040 includes institutional reform, regulatory modernisation, and long-term structural changes that Tanfeedh was not designed to address. Its implementation architecture is more complex and multi-layered.
Key Differences
Tanfeedh was tactical and short-term, focused on generating momentum and quick results. Vision 2040 is strategic and long-term, addressing systemic and structural issues. Tanfeedh targeted specific sectors, while Vision 2040 covers the entire national development agenda. Tanfeedh’s lab methodology was effective for project identification but less suited to institutional reform.
Verdict / Bottom Line
Tanfeedh served its purpose as an emergency response to the oil price crisis and generated valuable experience in public-private collaboration. Vision 2040 builds on these foundations while adding the strategic depth and institutional framework needed for sustained transformation. The transition from Tanfeedh to Vision 2040 represents Oman’s maturation from crisis management to systematic development planning.