Oman’s GDP grows 0.6% in Q2 as non-oil sectors offset oil decline  

According to preliminary data released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information, this growth was largely driven by a 4 percent increase in non-oil activities, which rose to 7.05 billion rials from 6.78 billion a year earlier. Shutterstock
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Updated 05 October 2025
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Oman’s GDP grows 0.6% in Q2 as non-oil sectors offset oil decline  

RIYADH: Oman’s gross domestic product at current prices grew by 0.6 percent in the second quarter of 2025, reaching 10.17 billion Omani rials ($26.4 billion) compared to 10.10 billion rials during the same period in 2024.

According to preliminary data released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information, this growth was largely driven by a 4 percent increase in non-oil activities, which rose to 7.05 billion rials from 6.78 billion a year earlier.  

At constant prices, Oman’s economy showed firmer underlying momentum. GDP at constant prices reached 9.4 billion rials, a 2.1 percent increase, with total non-petroleum activities up 4.1 percent year on year and petroleum activities edging higher by 0.5 percent.  

The economic expansion was supported by robust performance in the services sector, which climbed 7 percent to 4.85 billion rials, and in agriculture and fisheries, which saw a 9.8 percent increase to 310.3 million rials.

This modest GDP growth aligns with the continued expansion of Oman’s Islamic finance sector. According to the Central Bank of Oman, total assets of Islamic banks and windows reached 9.1 billion rials by the end of July, accounting for 19.7 percent of the total banking sector assets and marking a 16.8 percent increase compared to the same period last year.   

Financing provided by Islamic institutions rose by 12.5 percent to 7.2 billion rials, with deposits also growing by 16.1 percent to 7.2 billion rials, reflecting strong liquidity and lending activity in the sector.  

In terms of the GDP performance, the decline in oil activities was offset by a significant surge in natural gas output, which recorded a 40.7 percent increase in added value, reaching 803.6 million rials in the second quarter of the year compared to 570.9 million rials in the same quarter of 2024. 


Two Saudi cybersecurity firms plan Tadawul listings within two years 

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Two Saudi cybersecurity firms plan Tadawul listings within two years 

RIYADH: Two Saudi cybersecurity companies, Cyber and Infratech, plan to list a portion of their shares on the Saudi Stock Exchange, or Tadawul, between 2026 and 2027, according to the companies’ chairmen, who spoke to Al-Eqtisadiah. 

Abdulrahman Al-Kenani, founder and CEO of Cyber, said: “The company is currently planning to acquire certain entities, which will be disclosed in the coming period, in addition to preparing for a public offering through the Tumooh program on the stock market within the next two years at the latest.” 

Al-Kenani explained that the financial, healthcare and services sectors are witnessing continuous cyberattacks as Saudi Arabia expands its digital transformation, accompanied by a rise in the frequency of such incidents. He added that this phenomenon is not limited to the Kingdom but is a global issue. 

The CEO added: “The company is working with several Saudi airports and vital sectors, in addition to collaborating with major international companies to provide cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions.” 

Infratech plans 4 R&D centers abroad 

Ayman Al-Suhaim, CEO of Infratech, stated: “The size of the information technology and cybersecurity market in Saudi Arabia has reached approximately SR87 billion ($23.2 billion), of which SR15.7 billion are allocated to the cybersecurity sector. This includes consulting, managed services, governance, risk management, and cybersecurity within the industrial sector.” 

He said the company has a strategic plan covering the period from 2026 to 2028, which includes establishing a firm in the first quarter of next year to finance cybersecurity and artificial intelligence products, as well as launching four research and development centers in the US, Russia, China and Eastern Europe. 

The plan also includes investment in cloud storage, overseas ventures, and the expansion of operations and investments in data centers. 

Al-Suhaim said the company intends to go public in 2027, noting that it operates across multiple cybersecurity domains serving sectors including energy, defense, aviation and government services. 

The Tumooh program for small and medium-sized enterprises in Saudi Arabia is one of the support initiatives offered by the General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises, or Monsha’at. It aims to drive SME growth by strengthening capabilities, improving performance and accelerating expansion. 

The initiative seeks to help fast-growing SMEs prepare for initial public offerings in the financial markets. To date, the program has facilitated the listing of 24 companies on the Nomu Parallel Market out of more than 2,500 firms registered under the scheme.