Oman's waste recycling sector expands to 83 firms
MUSCAT: As many as 83 companies are currently engaged in waste recycling activities, underscoring the significant growth of the circular economy in Oman over the last several years, according to Dr Abdullah al Amri, Chairman – Environment Authority.
Taking part in a panel discussion on Day 1 of the Advantage Oman Forum, he said the proliferation of commercially-driven recycling activities is a testament to the enactment of effective policies and regulations that have fostered the growth of this sector.
'Four years ago, new policies were introduced to encourage internal recycling within the Sultanate. Some facilities were also made available to investors. In the past four years, we have seen the successful establishment of 83 recycling plants, focusing on various materials including iron scrap, aluminum scrap, plastic, car parts, cardboard, paper, tyres, and others,' Dr Al Amri stated.
Fuelled by the growth of this sector, around 43 per cent of municipal solid waste is now being recycled, according to the official. 'So we are on the right track! We expect to reach 60 per cent by 2030 and more than 90 per cent by 2040.'
Sharing his thoughts on the growth of the country's circular economy, fellow panelist Eng Salim bin Nasser al Aufi, Minister of Energy and Minerals, said the Oil & Gas sector is also getting its act together and dealing with oilfield waste in an environmentally responsible manner. Scrap steel and waste oil, for example, are now being recycled and processed in a sustainably approved way.
'With support from the Environment Authority and the Ministry of Commerce, we are now collecting all of that waste for reprocessing within the country, thereby supporting not only environmentally friendly processes, but also creating opportunities for new industry, new jobs, and so on,' he said.
From the standpoint of decarbonisation, the Oil & Gas industry is also actively working to start collecting carbon emissions, notably from hard-to-abate industries, for sequestering in suitable locations. So CO2 capture and CO2 sequestration are now part of the circular economy,' Al Aufi added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Times of Oman
2 days ago
- Times of Oman
India: Combined index of core Industries grew 0.7% in May 2025 (YoY)
New Delhi: The combined Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) witnessed a rise of 0.7 per cent (provisional) for the month of May this year, on a year-on-year basis, as reported by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry. Additionally, the Ministry of Commerce & Industry also reported that the production of Cement, Steel, Coal and Refinery Products recorded positive growth for May, this year. The ICI measures the combined and individual performance of production of eight core industries viz. Coal, Crude Oil, Natural Gas, Refinery Products, Fertilizers, Steel, Cement and Electricity. The Eight Core Industries comprise 40.27 per cent of the weight of items included in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP). Sector-wise, Coal production, which weighs 10.33 per cent of the Eight Core Industries, experienced a rise of 2.8 per cent in May 2025 over May 2024. Furthermore, the cumulative index increased by 3.1 per cent during April to May 2025-26 over the corresponding period of the previous year. Crude oil production declined by 1.8 per cent year over year, and its cumulative index declined by 2.2 per cent from April to May 2025-26 compared to the corresponding period of the previous year. Natural Gas production declined by 3.6 per cent in May 2025 over May 2024. Its cumulative index declined by 2.3 per cent during April to May, 2025-26 over the corresponding period of the previous year. The highest-weighted product out of the eight core industries is Petroleum Refinery production, which rose by 1.1 per cent in May 2025 over May 2024, and its cumulative index declined by 1.7 per cent during April to May 2025-26 over the corresponding period of the previous year. Fertiliser production (weight: 2.63 per cent) fell by 5.9 per cent in May 2025 as compared to May 2024. Its cumulative index declined by 5.1 per cent during April to May, 2025-26 over the corresponding period of the previous year. Steel production increased 6.7 per cent in May 2025 compared to May 2024. Its cumulative index increased by 5.5 per cent from April to May 2025-26 compared to the corresponding period of the previous year. Cement production also witnessed a rise. It rose by 9.2 per cent in May 2025 over May 2024, and the cumulative index increased by 7.8 per cent during April to May 2025-26 over the corresponding period of the previous year. Lastly, Electricity generation declined by 5.8 per cent in May 2025 over May 2024. Its cumulative index declined by 2.2 per cent during April to May, 2025-26 over the corresponding period of the previous year.
Observer
5 days ago
- Observer
Invest Oman hosts ‘Advantage Oman' dialogue in Brussels
BUSINESS REPORTER MUSCAT, JUNE 17 As part of its strategic agenda to expand global investment partnerships, Invest Oman , operating under the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion, convened the 'Advantage Oman – Kingdom of Belgium' Business Dialogue in Brussels. The event was held in collaboration with the Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman in Belgium and the Arab-Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce (ABLCC). Designed to highlight the Sultanate's evolving investment landscape, the dialogue aimed to foster deeper economic and trade relations between Oman and Belgium. It brought together a distinguished audience of Belgian investors, industry leaders, and senior decision-makers, with a focus on high-potential sectors such as renewable energy, pharmaceuticals and life sciences, and tourism and leisure. The platform facilitated direct engagement between Omani and Belgian stakeholders, enabling exploration of joint investment opportunities and commercial synergies. The Omani delegation presented Oman's strategic megaprojects, regulatory enhancements, and investor-centric reforms—underscoring the Sultanate's commitment to creating a competitive and future-ready business environment. Pankaj Khimji, Foreign Trade and International Cooperation Adviser at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion, stated: 'Oman places great emphasis on forging long-term partnerships with Belgium. This dialogue is a strategic step toward elevating our economic cooperation, introducing Oman's competitive advantages, and enabling Belgian enterprises to expand within a high-potential, future-ready market.' Rua bint Issa Al Zadjali, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to the Kingdom of Belgium, remarked: 'This initiative reflects Oman's broader vision to strengthen economic diplomacy and create meaningful engagement with key international markets. It is a timely platform to deepen ties with Belgium's business community and highlight Oman's role as a trusted and strategic investment destination.' The 'Advantage Oman – Kingdom of Belgium' Business Dialogue is part of Oman's ongoing global outreach to position itself as a regional gateway for investment and trade. Belgium continues to emerge as a key partner across several priority sectors, as Oman actively builds enduring economic bridges with European markets.
Observer
5 days ago
- Observer
Oman named guest of honour at 56th Algiers International Fair
MUSCAT: The Sultanate of Oman is the guest of honour at the 56th edition of the Algiers International Fair, held at the 'Safex Expo Center' in the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria from June 23 to 28. This participation underscores the strength of fraternal and economic relations between the Sultanate of Oman and the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, as well as the fruitful cooperation between the two countries across various fields. The Omani delegation is headed by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, with participation from several government and private sector entities. The Omani pavilion at the international fair features over 60 companies and establishments from diverse industrial, commercial and service sectors, including specialised firms in pharmaceuticals, transportation, electrical transformers, real estate, fisheries, tourism, food products, handicrafts, and more. The participation aims to explore opportunities of trade and investment exchange, as well as discussing potential partnerships and export prospects to the Algerian market and regional and international markets. Ibtisam bint Ahmed al Faroojiyah, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion for Investment Promotion, affirmed that Oman's invitation as guest of honour at this event reflects the depth of bilateral and economic relations between the two countries. She noted that Oman views Algeria as a nation with promising opportunities for cooperation in investment, trade and industry. She stated that this participation seeks to present Oman as a promising investment hub, highlighting available investment opportunities and showcasing its modern infrastructure, incentives and facilitations for investors, making it a strategic platform for accessing regional and global markets. She added that the Omani pavilion offers visitors and investors an enriching interactive experience while providing a platform to enhance communication between Omani and Algerian companies. The Algiers International Fair, held annually, attracts thousands of visitors and participants from around the world. Oman's participation will bolster its commercial and investment presence on the international stage, opening new horizons for the Omani private sector to build sustainable partnerships that support economic diversification and regional integration efforts. - ONA
