More than 24,000 commercial activities recorded in Q1: MoCI

The number of commercial activities registered in the sultanate in the first quarter (Q1) of 2017 saw a 13.4 per cent growth to reach 24,973, compared to 2016, according to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI).

As per a press release the focus of commercial activities during this period was in Muscat governorate, which represented around 26.2 per cent of the total commercial activities in the sultanate.

This was followed by North Batinah, with 18.9 per cent, and Dhofar, with 13.3 per cent. There was a 105.6 per cent growth in commercial activities in Buraimi governorate during the first quarter in 2017 compared to 2016, MoCI said.

Muscat conducted the highest number of commercial activities with 6,537, followed by North Batinah with 4,722. Dhofar was in the third position with 3,329 activities followed by Dakhliyah with 2,648 activities. In South Batinah governorate there were 2,032 activities registered during the period and 1,563 activities were registered in North Sharqiyah governorate, 1,355 activities in South Sharqiyah, 1,208 activities in Dhahirah, 1,034 in Buraimi, and 297 commercial activities in Musandam.

In the Governorate of Al Wusta only 248 commercial activities were registered in the first quarter of 2017.

The ministry will continue to encourage the private sector and enhance its efforts, so that it can contribute in developing the national economy, and support activities in the commerce and industrial sector by preparing general policies.

The ministry also conducts market studies and strives to put in place legislation and enforce them efficiently, directing foreign investments that benefit the strategic schemes in order to boost the economic development of the country.

Moreover, the ministry continues to develop commercial and industrial relations in cooperation with regional and international institutions and organisations.