The workshop was held as part of efforts to strengthen partnership and integration between the Ministry and companies implementing its projects, in a manner that supports joint efforts to develop and apply local content requirements, and to entrench its role as a key driver in achieving sustainable added value for the national economy.

The workshop aimed to emphasise the importance of local content in transport projects as one of the main pillars for achieving national impact, in addition to clarifying the roles and responsibilities of the various project stakeholders to ensure effective integration in implementation. It also highlighted the role of contractors and consultants as key partners in achieving local content targets, while providing an open dialogue platform to discuss practical challenges and review proposed ideas and development solutions.

His Excellency Eng. Said bin Hamoud Al Maawali opened the workshop with a keynote address in which he stressed that enhancing local content in the Ministry’s projects represents a strategic priority that contributes to supporting the national economy, empowering Omani competencies, and maximising the added value of development projects. He also emphasised the importance of integrating efforts among all partners to ensure the achievement of sustainable development targets.

The workshop addressed the concept of local content and its economic and developmental dimensions, in addition to the key pillars for achieving sustainable economic development. These included strengthening the national economy, localising industries related to the transport sector, creating sustainable employment opportunities for citizens, and developing human capital to lead the roads sector.

It also highlighted the importance of cooperation between government entities, consultants, and contractors by aligning policies with practical realities, and translating local content requirements into clear, measurable technical and contractual provisions, thereby enhancing levels of compliance and improving implementation efficiency.

A dedicated session focused on the role of contractors in achieving local content targets, emphasising the prioritisation of local suppliers and manufacturers when procuring materials and equipment, identifying high-quality national alternatives, and attracting and employing national competencies across various project levels. The session also highlighted the importance of technical training and knowledge transfer to ensure skills sustainability, adherence to specified local content ratios, and efforts to develop and empower small and medium enterprises.