It is also seen as a strategic move to counter the talent drain to Meta, which has reportedly offered compensation packages of up to $100 million to lure OpenAI researchers.
The data shows that the unemployment rate for the total population, including expats in the region, has dropped to 2.8%, as workforce participation rose to 68.2%.
Top employers are moving beyond hiring quotas and investing in career progression for local talent — through rotational roles, shadow boards, and strategic coaching.
"Providing local value is essential—not only to benefit from investing in the Omani market, but also to contribute meaningfully to national development," H.E. Ammar Al-Saadi, Director General of the General Directorate of Labour.
H.E. Al Rajhi shared that this growth is part of a broader goal to build an efficient and attractive labor market—one that enhances human capital and strengthens the competitiveness of the national economy.
To be eligible for contracts with entities governed under the Tender Law, private companies operating for more than one year must now employ Omani nationals as directed.