RIYADH: Exports of electrical machinery and equipment from Oman surged by 141 percent in the first quarter of 2025, reaching 128 million Omani rials ($332.8 million) compared to 53 million rials in the same period of 2024, according to official data. 

The strong performance of the sector highlights its growing importance to the country’s industrial base and export competitiveness, the National Center for Statistics and Information revealed. 

Officials have linked the sharp rise to rising demand across domestic and regional markets, driven by ongoing infrastructure expansion and increased investment in renewable energy projects. 

In figures released in May, the Oman News Agency revealed that the country’s non-oil exports rose by 8.6 percent year on year in the first quarter of 2025, reaching 1.618 billion rials.

Commenting on the latest release, Khalid Al-Qassabi, director general of Industry at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, stated that the positive results reflect the resilience and diversity of Oman’s industrial base, according to a report by the ONA.

“He noted that the ministry continues to implement integrated industrial policies aimed at enhancing the position of national products in regional and international markets and driving industrial exports to higher levels,” the news agency added. 

Al-Qassabi said that growth in the electrical equipment sector is being supported by major infrastructure developments, such as the expansion of electricity networks, utilities, and new cities. 

He also pointed to rising interest in renewable energy technologies, which is boosting demand for domestically manufactured components. 

The sector is considered a strategic priority under Oman’s Industrial Strategy 2040, with the potential to enhance supply chains, increase national value-added, foster entrepreneurship, and support the localization of advanced technologies. 

Jasim Al-Jadeedi, technical director in the Office of the Undersecretary for Commerce and Industry, reiterated the ministry’s focus on expanding the global presence of Omani industrial goods. 

He said this is a central objective of the country’s industrial strategy and a key component of its economic diversification agenda under Oman Vision 2040. 

Al-Jadheedi explained that several initiatives are underway to improve product quality and competitiveness, including support for manufacturers in meeting international technical standards. 

He added that the government is working with relevant stakeholders to unlock new export markets through trade agreements, international exhibitions, and trade missions, while offering targeted incentives to local exporters. 

The technical director also emphasized the importance of adopting advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence and Industry 4.0 tools, to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and achieve sustainable industrial growth. 

This sectoral expansion comes amid broader momentum in the industrial economy. 

Total credit extended by Oman’s banking sector increased by 9 percent year-on-year to 33.6 billion rials by the end of April, indicating continued strength in financing for the private sector and industrial enterprises. 

Non-oil industrial exports overall rose by 8.6 percent during the first quarter to 1.618 billion rials, up from 1.49 billion rials a year earlier. 

Industrial goods accounted for 28 percent of total exports during the period, led by electrical machinery and mineral products, the latter of which recorded a 14.1 percent rise in exports to 462 million rials. 

NEW DELHI: The Middle East has all the potential to emerge as a global hub for sustainable aviation fuel production thanks to co-processing opportunities available in the region, according to a top official. 

Speaking to Arab News on the sidelines of the International Air Transport Association’s Annual General Meeting in New Delhi, Marie Owens Thomsen, senior vice president of sustainability and chief economist at IATA, said that the world should act now to increase the production of SAF to meet decarbonization targets. 

This comes as the region accelerates efforts to produce the fuel, with Saudi Arabia’s Nordic Electrofuel-backed project announcing in January a Jubail plant targeting 350 million liters annually by 2029, using renewable hydrogen and solar PV. 

The UAE, meanwhile, aims for 700 million liters by 2031, supported by Emirates, Etihad, and Air Arabia. Emirates has secured over 3 million gallons from Neste for 2024–25 flights, while Shell began supplying SAF at Dubai Airport in 2023. 

In her interview, Thomsen said: “The Middle East has huge opportunities for co-processing. What we are seeing across the world is insufficient production of SAF.” 

Co-processing is the use of renewable feedstock in conventional fossil fuel units. This method allows existing traditional fuel refineries to seamlessly integrate renewable feedstocks into their production processes without the need for extensive infrastructural changes. 

She added: “If this co-processing happens, then boom — we have a SAF plant. Clearly, the Middle East is uniquely positioned for this.” 

Thomsen further said that governments in the Middle East region should create investment policies in such a way that oil producers will be more attracted to co-processing. 

The use of SAF is widely considered a crucial development for the global aviation industry, as most countries have stipulated targets to achieve net zero as part of their energy transition efforts. 

According to Thomsen, the world, on its current trajectory, is expected to produce 400 million tonnes of SAF by 2050, up from an estimated 2 million tonnes in 2025 and 1 million tonnes in 2024. 

Amid this projected growth, Thomsen revealed that the world would require at least 500 million tonnes of SAF by 2050 to meet energy transition and sustainability goals. 

“On the current trajectory, we will be a 100 million tonnes short in 2050. That is a dramatic shortfall. If we do not address it today, this shortfall may be even greater by the time we reach 2050,” said Thomsen. 

She said this presents a challenge and dilemma because as long as jet engines power our flights, liquid fuels remain essential. 

“Again, I repeat, the Middle East is uniquely positioned to help the world take a big step forward if we could immediately co-process. There are also lower-carbon fuels which occur naturally in the Middle East, which the world should explore,” she added. 

Thomsen revealed that the aviation industry’s net profit margin is lower compared to other sectors, and expenses could rise as SAF gains. 

However, she made it clear that effective ways should be adopted to increase the production of the fuel, so that the energy transition targets could be achieved by 2050. 

On the opening day of the AGM, Willie Walsh, director general of IATA, also shared identical views, and said that sufficient government measures, including the implementation of effective policies, are needed to achieve decarbonization targets. 

He added that ensuring the success of the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation is crucial to offsetting carbon emissions in the aviation sector. 

Under CORSIA, an initiative launched by the International Civil Aviation Organization, airplane operators must purchase and cancel “emissions units” to offset the increase in CO2 emissions.