Prohibited Business 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 and sale of non-potable water

  75. Renting of cranes with operator

  76. Renting of construction machinery and other equipment operated by a worker

  77. Renting of construction or demolition equipment operated by a worker

  78. Wholesale of livestock

  79. Wholesale of fish and sea creatures

  80. Wholesale of fish products

  81. Retail sale in specialised stores of meat and meat products

  82. Retail sale in specialised stores of fish and other seafoods

  83. Retail sale in specialised stores of Omani halwa (Omani dessert)

  84. Retail sale in specialised stores of poultry (slaughtered)

  85. Retail sale in specialised stores of natural herbs

  86. Retail sale in specialised stores of medical herbs

  87. Retail sale in specialised stores of birds, pets and ornamental fish and their accessories

  88. Vehicle towing and recovery service

  89. Buying, selling and dividing land

  90. Renting and operating of self-owned or leased real estate (residential and non-residential)

  91. Operating of buildings (self-owned or leased)

  92. Appraisal services for real estate

  93. Building management (based on a fee or contract)

  94. Management of real estate owners associations

  95. Pets care service