The total number of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) registered with the Public Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Riyada) at the end of January 2021 was 49,337, which is an increase by 14.4% compared to the same period of 2020, according to the data released by the National Centre for Statistics and information (NCSI).

Among the governorates, Muscat topped the list with 33.6% SMEs registered January 2021, followed by Al-Batinah North with 15.7%, Ad Dakhliyah with 12.6% and Dhofar with 8.3%, and the rest of governorates with 29.8%.

The Governorate of Muscat had 16,583 SMEs registered at the end of January 2021, followed by Al Batinah North with 7,750, Ad-Dakhliyah with 6,214, Dhofar with 4,111, Al Batinah South with 3,704, and Ash-Sharqiah North with 3,309 SMEs registered. 

This was followed by Ash-Sharqiah South with 2,938 SMEs, Adh-Dhahirah with 2,839 SMEs, and Al Buraymi with 1,052 SMEs registered.

Al Wusta had 652 SMEs registered and Musandam had 185 SMEs registered, which was the lowest among governorates registered in January 2021.

The total number of SMEs registered in the month of January 2021 was 49,337, while the number of SMEs in the month of January 2020 was 43,134.