Over 19,000 Entrepreneurship Cards Issued in First Half of 2026

Oman's commitment to fostering entrepreneurship is evident as the nation issued 19,267 new Entrepreneurship Cards in the first half of 2026. This surge brings the total number of enterprises holding the card to 32,103, reflecting a strong interest among entrepreneurs in leveraging the card's advantages.

The SMEs Development Authority (Riyada) provides the Entrepreneurship Card as a key tool to support small and medium enterprise owners. It grants holders access to a range of facilities and benefits offered by both government and private entities. Throughout the first half of 2026, Riyada has actively pursued its strategy to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem through various programs and initiatives. These efforts aim to empower SME owners and facilitate their business growth, aligning with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040 across all governorates.

Statistics from the National Centre for Statistics and Information reveal that by the end of 2025, Oman was home to approximately 267,535 small and medium enterprises. As of the first half of 2026, Riyada's database listed 136,459 registered enterprises. These are categorized into 116,195 micro, 19,196 small, and 1,068 medium enterprises. Collectively, these businesses contributed 9.2 billion Omani Rials to the gross domestic product, representing 21.8 percent of the national GDP.

The Authority has also focused on enhancing the business incubation ecosystem, creating a supportive environment for emerging projects and SMEs. This initiative helps transform innovative ideas into sustainable businesses. In the first half of 2026 alone, 132 new incubation contracts were signed, and 16 incubators were established, creating 284 job opportunities. Furthermore, specialized advisory services were provided to 10,832 SME owners, assisting them with administrative, financial, legal, marketing, and technical aspects of their businesses.