Half a century of Oman consumer cooperatives
The article discusses the history and development of the consumer cooperatives movement in the Sultanate of Oman. The first experiment began in September 1978 with the establishment of a consumer association in Muscat, aiming to provide goods at affordable prices, support local products, promote price stability, and combat inflation. The initiative continued in a limited manner over the following decades, with attempts in areas such as Shinas after 2014, which faced legal and regulatory challenges. In 2023, the first regulatory ordinance for consumer cooperative activities was issued in the Sultanate, providing a clear legal framework for their operation. In December 2025, Bank Dhofar International announced a initiative to finance and develop the cooperative system through comprehensive financing partnerships, aiming to support youth, foster small and medium enterprises, and achieve greater expansion in the sector. The focus is shifting from merely providing goods at reasonable prices toward building an economic system that supports entrepreneurship and local development.
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