Women Entrepreneurs in Oman

Policymakers in most nations consider entrepreneurship to be a major driver of gross domestic product (GDP) growth as well as social development. In this context, women’s entrepreneurship is one of the fastest-growing fields of study that has drawn wide attention from both policymakers and academics. However, not all societies have equally emphasized the importance of developing and nurturing the participation of women in entrepreneurial ventures. For instance, in many Middle Eastern countries such as Oman, the presence of women as business owners is substantially underrepresented. Nevertheless, Oman has undertaken an ambitious plan under Oman Vision 2040, to diversify and transform the economy of the country through numerous initiatives. One such focus area is the growth of women’s entrepreneurship and their participation in the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).Despite the significant rise in the number of women entering the job market, the participation of women in entrepreneurship in Oman is quite dismal. Therefore, this study aims to take a nuanced look at the existing condition of women entrepreneurs in Oman, and the underlying reasons for their insufficient participation in entrepreneurial ventures. The findings narrated in this chapter are based on secondary sources from reliable academic literature, as well as reports and research work published by international organizations such as the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, World Bank, United Nations, etc., and globally recognized consulting firms such as McKinsey and Company. The chapter identifies six major points that are being considered as factors that may impede the proliferation of entrepreneurial actions by women in Oman. Toward the end, the chapter presents an outlook for Omani women entrepreneurs in the age of digitalization.