Oman Strengthens Clean Energy and EV Investments During China Visit
JEDDAH: Oman is accelerating efforts to boost its industrial sector and attract high-value, technology-driven investments through an official delegation visit to China.
The delegation, led by Saleh Said Masan, undersecretary for commerce and industry at Oman’s Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, toured several major Chinese manufacturing facilities. The visits aim to enhance bilateral industrial cooperation and advance Oman’s transition toward sustainable and high-tech industries.
Industrial development forms a key part of Oman Vision 2040 and the Industrial Strategy 2040, which seek to triple the country’s manufacturing output, attract around 40 billion Omani rials ($104 billion) in investments, and expand advanced and green sectors.
During the visit, the delegation met with senior management at JA Solar, a global solar energy company, to discuss the latest smart solar cell and panel manufacturing technologies. Officials reviewed progress on the company’s planned facility in the Sohar Freezone, a $564 million project to establish an integrated solar cell and module plant. The project aligns with Oman’s goal of becoming a regional hub for clean energy and supporting the country’s net-zero emissions target by 2050.
The delegation also visited BAIC Motor Corp., where discussions focused on advancements in electric vehicles, smart transportation systems, and next-generation automotive technologies. Masan highlighted Oman’s incentives for investors in the electromechanical and transport sectors, emphasizing joint venture opportunities in automotive assembly and manufacturing.
“These initiatives aim to diversify Oman’s industrial base, create specialized jobs for Omani engineers and digital technology professionals, and boost the contribution of manufacturing to the national GDP,” Masan said.
The visit underscores Oman’s commitment to fostering a technology-led, capital-intensive industrial sector. By integrating renewable energy solutions with JA Solar and localizing vehicle technologies through BAIC, Oman seeks to strengthen the competitiveness of the Made in Oman brand and enhance the role of small and medium-sized enterprises in global supply chains.
Masan concluded that the engagements reflect the ministry’s ongoing efforts to create an attractive investment climate while encouraging innovation, advanced technologies, and sustainable industrial growth in the Sultanate.
