Employing citizen mandatory in foreign investor companies

Employing citizen mandatory in foreign investor companies

Muscat: In a significant move aimed at bolstering local employment and aligning foreign investment practices with Omani regulations, the Council of Ministers has issued a mandate requiring foreign investors to employ at least one Omani citizen in their commercial operations within Oman.

This regulation, set to take effect on April 1, 2024, represents a pivotal step in ensuring that foreign enterprises contribute to the development and prosperity of the Omani workforce.

The decision comes as part of broader efforts by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion (MoCIIP) to foster a more inclusive and equitable investment environment in the Sultanate of Oman.

By mandating the employment of at least one Omani citizen within foreign investors’ businesses, the government aims to strike a balance between attracting foreign capital and safeguarding the interests of the local workforce.

Engineer Ammar bin Sulaiman Al Kharousi, Director General of the Investment Services Centre at the Ministry, underscored the importance of this initiative in enhancing the attractiveness of Oman as an investment destination.

He emphasised that the government is committed to removing barriers and facilitating procedures for investors, both domestic and foreign, while ensuring that they contribute to the socio-economic development of the country.

Under the new regulation, foreign investors will