The Oman Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion (MOCIIP) Ministerial Decision No. 209/2020 (2020 MD) list of activities prohibited to foreign investors has been updated by Ministerial Decision No. 364/2023 (New MD). The New MD amends the 2020 MD by removing two activities from the list of prohibited activities specialised rehabilitation centres and rehabilitation centres and expanding the list of prohibited activities.

We set out below a consolidated list of the prohibited activities. Most of these commercial activities are unlikely to be of interest to foreign investors, but there are a few surprises for foreign investors to be alert to: 

1. Manufacture of Omani halwa (Omani dessert)
2. Tailoring of Arab men wearing apparel
3. Tailoring of non-Arab men wearing apparel
4. Tailoring of Arab and non-Arab ladies wearing apparel
5. Tailoring of sports clothing
6. Tailoring of military uniform
7. Manufacture of Omani kimma (Omani cap)
8. Manufacture of women's abaya (gown)
9. Manufacture of Omani khanjar (traditional dagger)
10. Transport and sale of drinking water
11. Motor vehicle electrical repair and recharging of batteries
12. Repairing and cleaning motor vehicle radiators
13. Repairing punctured tyres and metal wheels
14. Wheel balance
15. Motor vehicle service stations
16. Replacement of motor vehicle oils
17. Repairing car air-conditioner
18. Repairing motor vehicle exhaust pipe
19. Car cleaning and polishing
20. Wholesale of fruits and vegetables
21. Wholesale of cooking gas
22. Liquefied petrol gas filling stations
23. Retail sale of fresh fruit, vegetables and dates in specialised stores
24. Retail sale of honey in specialised stores
25. Motor vehicle fuel stations
26. Diesel fuel stations
27. Retail sale of telephones and their accessories in specialised stores
28. Retail sale of mobile telephones and their accessories in specialised stores
29. Retail sale of souvenirs, paintings and gifts in specialised stores
30. Retail sale of flowers and natural plants in specialised stores
31. Retail sale of pottery and handicrafts in specialised stores
32. Retail sale of cooking gas in specialised stores
33. Retail sale of silverware and gifts in specialised stores
34. Retail sale in specialised stores of cards of telecommunications services licensed in the Sultanate
35. Retail sale of traditional weapons in specialised stores
36. Retail sale of animal feed in specialised stores
37. Retail sale of bags in specialised stores
38. Retail sale of ceremony requirements in specialised stores
39. Retail sale of fireworks in specialised stores
40. Retail sale of Omani khanjar (traditional dagger) in specialised stores
41. Retail sale of empty gas cylinders in specialised stores
42. Retail sale of wedding cards in specialised stores
43. Retail sale of handicraft products in specialised stores
44. Retail sale of beekeeping supplies in specialised stores
45. Pilgrim and umra performers’ transport
46. Road transport by trucks of cooking gas cylinders
47. Loading and unloading of goods
48. Customs clearance offices
49. Valuation of cancelled vehicles
50. Insurance commission agent
51. Real estate brokerage (auctioneer offices)
52. Manpower recruitment offices
53. Employment offices
54. General cleaning of buildings
55. Photocopying and typing services
56. Transactions clearance offices
57. Making and installation of neon signboards
58. Managing and operating fuel stations
59. Driving schools
60. Elderly people care centres
61. Orphanages
62. Other library and archives activities
63. Washing all kinds of clothes and textiles, except what is carried out in tourist establishments
64. Ironing of clothes, except what is carried out in tourist establishments
65. Laundry and steam ironing (dry cleaning), except what is carried out in tourist establishments
66. Hair cutting, styling and shaving for men, except what is carried out in tourist establishments
67. Hairdressing and cosmetic treatment for women, except what is carried out in tourist establishments
68. Hair cutting and styling for children, except what is carried out in tourist establishments
69. Operation of poultry hatcheries
70. Beekeeping and production of honey and beeswax
71. Marine fishing
72. Slaughtering and preparing poultry, rabbits and birds
73. Printing using photocopier machines, computer printers, embossers etc.
74. Transport estate owners associations
75. Pets care service and sale of non-potable water
76. Renting of cranes with operator
77. Renting of construction machinery and other equipment operated by a worker
78. Renting of construction or demolition equipment operated by a worker
79. Wholesale of livestock
80. Wholesale of fish and sea creatures
81. Wholesale of fish products
82. Retail sale in specialised stores of meat and meat products
83. Retail sale in specialised stores of fish and other seafoods
84. Retail sale in specialised stores of Omani halwa (Omani dessert)
85. Retail sale in specialised stores of poultry (slaughtered)
86. Retail sale in specialised stores of natural herbs
87. Retail sale in specialised stores of medical herbs
88. Retail sale in specialised stores of birds, pets and ornamental fish and their accessories
89. Vehicle towing and recovery service
90. Buying, selling and dividing land
91. Renting and operating of self-owned or leased real estate (residential and non-residential)
92. Operating of buildings (self-owned or leased)
93. Appraisal services for real estate
94. Building management (based on a fee or contract)
95. Management of real estate.