Flagship
Green hydrogen & renewables
Hydrom has auctioned vast land blocks for green hydrogen and ammonia, drawing global developers and equipment suppliers.
Country Profile — Arab-America International Expo 2027
Profile content in preparationSultanate of Oman
Outside the Gulf, on the open ocean.
The only Gulf state with deep-water ports outside the Strait of Hormuz, and a US free trade agreement that makes it a strategic manufacturing and logistics base.
Country at a glance
- GDP
- ≈ $110 billion (nominal)
- Population
- ≈ 5.2 million
- Currency
- Omani Rial (OMR), pegged to USD
- Capital
- Muscat
- Economic growth
- ≈ 1.7% real GDP growth; non-oil sector stronger
Statistics year: 2024 (latest full-year data)
Overview
Strategic geography and a long-view development plan
Oman occupies the southeastern corner of the Arabian Peninsula, with 3,100 km of coastline facing the Indian Ocean and ports that sit outside the Strait of Hormuz — a decisive advantage for supply-chain resilience.
The US–Oman Free Trade Agreement gives duty-free access for qualifying goods in both directions, and Oman's free zones at Duqm, Sohar and Salalah combine that with full foreign ownership.
Vision 2040 is steering investment into logistics, manufacturing, mining, fisheries, tourism and one of the world's largest green-hydrogen programs.
- Capital
- Muscat
- Population
- ~5.2 million
- Language
- Arabic (English widely used in business)
- Currency
- Omani Rial (OMR), pegged to USD
- Coastline
- 3,165 km on the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea
- Trade agreement
- US–Oman FTA (in force since 2009)
Economy
Diversifying through geography
Oman is converting its location, minerals and solar and wind resources into a logistics, industry and clean-energy economy.
$0B+
GDP (nominal)
Steady, reform-driven growth
0M t/yr
Green hydrogen target
By 2030, scaling to 8M by 2050
0
Free zones & industrial estates
Duqm, Sohar, Salalah and others
0 km
Coastline
Outside the Strait of Hormuz
Logistics & portsDuqm, Sohar, Salalah
Energy & LNGOil, gas and LNG exports
Green hydrogen & renewablesHydrom land-block auctions
Mining & mineralsCopper, chromite, gypsum, limestone
TourismMountains, desert and coastline
Fisheries & agricultureIndian Ocean fishery development
Priority sectors
Where Omani partners are looking
Sectors where Omani government bodies, free zones and private groups seek American technology and capital.
Strategic
Logistics & port services
Duqm and Salalah offer bonded, tax-free industrial land with direct ocean access bypassing Hormuz.
Emerging
Mining & minerals processing
A national mining strategy opening copper, chromite and industrial-minerals concessions to foreign operators.
Industry
Petrochemicals & refining
The Duqm refinery and Sohar petrochemical cluster driving downstream investment.
Growing
Tourism & hospitality
A high-value, low-density tourism strategy focused on nature, heritage and luxury resorts.
Food
Food security & fisheries
Investment in aquaculture, cold chain and processing along the Indian Ocean coast.
Oman Vision 2040
From resource dependence to a diversified economy
Vision 2040 sets targets for private-sector share of GDP, Omani employment and non-oil exports, with logistics and clean energy as the two pillars.
- 2009
US FTA in force
Duty-free access for qualifying goods between Oman and the United States.
- 2020
Vision 2040 launched
A national plan for economic diversification and fiscal sustainability.
- 2022
Hydrom established
The state orchestrator for green-hydrogen land blocks and projects.
- 2040
Target state
A diversified, knowledge-based economy with a leading global logistics position.
Major development projects
Projects opening supplier opportunities
Large, long-horizon programs with structured international participation.
Special Economic Zone at Duqm
A 2,000 km² zone with a deep-water port, refinery, drydock and tax-free industrial land.
Green hydrogen corridors
Multi-gigawatt solar and wind blocks in Duqm and Dhofar feeding hydrogen and ammonia export projects.
Oman rail network
A national freight and passenger rail plan linking ports to industrial zones and the wider GCC.
Sultan Haitham City
A new sustainable city west of Muscat planned for around 100,000 residents.
US – Oman trade
A second Gulf FTA partner for American exporters
Like Bahrain, Oman offers duty-free access under a bilateral FTA — combined with industrial land and ports outside the Strait of Hormuz.
Top exports to the world
Crude oil & LNG
Refined & petrochemical products
Metals & minerals
Fish & agriculture
Top imports
Machinery & equipment
Vehicles & parts
Food products
Chemicals & pharmaceuticals
Leading products to the United States
- Refined petroleum
- Petrochemicals
- Metals
- Fertilizers
Leading products from the United States
- Machinery
- Vehicles
- Aircraft and parts
- Agricultural products
- Electrical equipment
- Duty-free trade in both directions under the US–Oman FTA
- Deep-water ports outside the Strait of Hormuz for supply-chain resilience
- 100% foreign ownership in free zones with long tax holidays
Bilateral goods trade — 2024
Trade with the United States
Verified full-year bilateral merchandise trade between Oman and the United States, reported from Oman's perspective.
Total U.S. goods trade
$4.1B
2024
Exports to the United States
$1.0B
2024
Imports from the United States
$3.1B
2024
Trade balance
$2.1B
Deficit for Oman
2024
Exports vs. imports — 2024
Oman exports to the United States$1.0B
Oman imports from the United States$3.1B
Exports to the US Imports from the US
Under the US–Oman Free Trade Agreement, Oman is a consistent net importer of American goods, particularly aviation, vehicles and oilfield machinery, while exporting refined products, chemicals and manufactured goods to the United States.
Scope of these figures
These figures represent merchandise trade only and do not include services.
Data source
- U.S. Census Bureau, Foreign Trade Division — country trade data (full year 2024)
- Office of the United States Trade Representative — country trade fact sheets
- International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce
Statistical year: 2024
Leading exports to the United States
- Refined petroleum products
- Chemicals and fertilizers
- Plastics and polymers
- Metals and metal articles
- Fish and seafood
Leading imports from the United States
- Aircraft and parts
- Vehicles and automotive parts
- Industrial and oilfield machinery
- Electrical equipment
- Medical instruments
- Food and agricultural products
Culture & tourism
Mountains, desert and the Indian Ocean
The most naturally varied country in the Gulf, with a deliberate focus on high-value tourism.
Capital
Muscat
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, the Royal Opera House and a historic harbour.
Al Hajar Mountains
Jebel Akhdar & Jebel Shams
Terraced villages and canyons at over 3,000 metres.
Interior and Dhofar
Wahiba Sands & Salalah
Desert dunes and a monsoon-green southern coast.
Why invest
Why American companies choose Oman
Trade-agreement access plus a location that de-risks Gulf logistics.
01
Free trade agreement
Tariff-free access and investor protections under the US–Oman FTA.
02
Outside Hormuz
Duqm and Salalah keep cargo clear of the Strait of Hormuz chokepoint.
03
Free zone terms
Full foreign ownership, up to 30-year tax holidays and no minimum capital in key zones.
04
Political stability
A long record of neutrality and stable, predictable governance.
At the Expo
Oman at AAIX 2027
The Oman pavilion focuses on logistics, clean energy and industrial partnerships with American firms.
- Duqm, Sohar and Salalah free-zone investment briefings
- Green hydrogen and renewables developer meetings
- Mining and minerals concession introductions
- FTA and customs guidance for US exporters
World heritage
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Oman
Sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, a core part of the country's cultural and tourism offer.
Bahla Fort
A massive mud-brick fort and oasis settlement at the foot of Jebel Akhdar.
Archaeological Sites of Bat, Al-Khutm and Al-Ayn
Bronze Age tombs and settlements from the third millennium BC.
Land of Frankincense
Frankincense trees, caravan oases and the port of Khor Rori in Dhofar.
Aflaj Irrigation Systems of Oman
Ancient gravity-fed water channels still in use today.
Ancient City of Qalhat
A medieval port on the Arabian Sea trading route.
Business opportunities
Opportunities for Arab and American companies
How companies from different markets can engage with Oman through the Expo.
For American companies
Manufacture in Duqm or Salalah for duty-free export to the US, and supply green-hydrogen and mining projects.
For Arab companies
Logistics, fisheries and tourism ventures on the Indian Ocean coast.
For international investors
Green hydrogen land blocks, mining concessions and port-linked industry.
Represent Oman at Arab-America International Expo 2027
Present your country's economy, industries, products, investment opportunities, tourism destinations and culture to the American and North American markets.
Reserve space in the Omani pavilion, or register as an American supplier to meet Omani free-zone and energy partners.
Sources & data
- Oman National Centre for Statistics and Information
- Invest Oman
- Hydrom
- World Bank & IMF country data
- U.S. Census Bureau / USTR trade statistics
- UN Comtrade
Last updated: August 2026