# Knowledge Oasis Muscat (KOM): Tech Park Setup, Rents & Steps

> Knowledge Oasis Muscat (KOM) is Madayn's technology park in Muscat, opened in 2003, for ICT, data, software and knowledge-based companies. Offices rent at OMR 6–7 per m2 per month and applicants pass a business-plan review.

URL: https://omanregister.com/industrial-cities/knowledge-oasis-muscat/
Updated: 2026-10-24
Publisher: Oman Register (omanregister.com) — company registration and residency services in Oman. Contact: +968 7733 3556, info@omanregister.com

## At a glance

- **Operator:** Madayn (Public Establishment for Industrial Estates)
- **Governorate:** Muscat (Al Rusayl / Al Khoudh area)
- **Established:** 2003
- **Area:** About 759,600 m2 total; 494,800 m2 leasable (2026)
- **Focus sectors:** ICT, data centres, cloud & cybersecurity, digital services, education & training
- **Office rent:** OMR 6/m2/month unfurnished, OMR 7 furnished (Madayn tariff)
- **Foreign ownership:** Up to 100%
- **Nearest airport:** Muscat International Airport

Knowledge Oasis Muscat (KOM) is Oman's technology park, opened by Madayn in 2003 next to Rusayl in Muscat. It offers ready office space for ICT, data, software and other knowledge-based companies, with up to 100% foreign ownership and published rents of OMR 6–7 per m2 per month. It suits tech firms that want a Muscat address inside an established ecosystem rather than a factory plot.

## Where is Knowledge Oasis Muscat?

KOM is in Muscat Governorate, in the Al Rusayl / Al Khoudh area, beside [Rusayl Industrial City](https://omanregister.com/industrial-cities/rusayl-industrial-city/) and Sultan Qaboos University, and a short drive from Muscat International Airport. The campus has its own internal road ring, parking and food outlets, and is next to the Sultan Qaboos Integrated Centre for Cancer Treatment and Research.

## What is KOM and who is there?

- **Opened:** 2003, as Madayn's dedicated technology park.
- **Area:** about 759,600 m2 in total, of which about 494,800 m2 is leasable; about 381,300 m2 was leased by 2026.
- **Investment:** cumulative investment of about OMR 277 million by the end of 2025. New projects worth more than OMR 8.5 million were attracted in 2025.
- **Tenants:** more than 100 government, semi-government and private entities (2026 report). Names over the years include Microsoft, Oracle, Motorola, Huawei and Ericsson, and local players such as Oman Data Park, Awasr and Ithca Group, plus colleges and training centres.

KOM has become one of Oman's main data-hosting clusters, with national and regional data centres, cloud and cybersecurity providers, and a satellite communications station.

## Facilities

- Business-ready offices in several multi-tenant buildings, furnished or unfurnished
- High-speed connectivity and data-centre space
- Incubation for start-ups and networking with resident firms
- Masar Service Centre for licences, visas and government procedures
- Projects under way in 2026: a multi-storey car park with about 1,500 spaces and offices (due May 2027), a mixed-use office and retail building (target Q1 2027), a 1.5 MW solar plant and an international school opening for the 2026/27 year

## Who can set up in KOM?

KOM is aimed at:

- technology and knowledge-based companies (software, telecoms, internet, data, media, engineering services)
- research, development and innovation units of larger groups
- start-ups and SMEs in tech
- support providers that serve resident firms, such as banks, clinics, nurseries and retail

Madayn reviews each applicant's business plan, so a generic trading company is unlikely to be accepted. If your activity is light manufacturing or logistics, look at [Rusayl Industrial City](https://omanregister.com/industrial-cities/rusayl-industrial-city/) instead.

## Ownership and incentives

- **Up to 100% foreign ownership.** You register an [LLC](https://omanregister.com/company-types/limited-liability-company-llc/) or [SPC](https://omanregister.com/company-types/sole-proprietor-company-spc/) on the Oman Business Platform; there is no legal minimum capital for most activities under the current Foreign Capital Investment Law.
- **Leases** follow Madayn's usufruct rules: renewable terms, with the right to add partners.
- **Tax:** standard 15% corporate income tax. KOM is not a free zone.
- **Ecosystem:** proximity to large ICT companies, government digital units and universities is the main draw.

## How to set up a company in Knowledge Oasis Muscat

1. **Prepare your application pack** (see documents below) and decide on the office size you need.
2. **Apply through Madayn e-services** using the KOM online form.
3. **Review by KOM.** Madayn assesses the business plan; you may be asked to present the project.
4. **Offer letter.** If approved, you receive the space offer and lease terms.
5. **Register the company** on the [Oman Business Platform (Invest Easy)](https://www.business.gov.om/) with the KOM address. Our guide to [registering a company online](https://omanregister.com/how-to-register-a-company-online/) covers this step.
6. **Sign the lease and pay** the advance rent and deposit.
7. **Fit out, connect utilities and hire**, then apply for [work permits](https://omanregister.com/work-permit-oman/) and residence visas.

## Documents required

According to Madayn, a KOM application includes:

- letter of intent
- three-year business plan
- investor profile or personal CV
- company profile
- referral letters from three clients in Oman, if available
- latest annual or audited report, if available

For company registration you will also need passport copies of shareholders and, for corporate shareholders, attested incorporation documents and a board resolution.

## How much does it cost to set up in KOM?

| Item | Rate (Madayn tariff, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Unfurnished office | OMR 6 per m2 per month |
| Furnished office | OMR 7 per m2 per month |
| Not included | Electricity and maintenance |
| Example: 50 m2 unfurnished | About OMR 300 a month / OMR 3,600 a year |

Other cost components: company registration and Chamber of Commerce fees, municipal and Madayn service fees, deposits, fit-out if unfurnished, utilities, and work permit and visa costs for staff. Madayn usually asks for rent in advance, so confirm the payment schedule in your offer letter.

## How long does it take?

Company registration on the Oman Business Platform takes a few days once documents are ready. The KOM review and offer depend on available space and the quality of your business plan, so allow a few weeks. Furnished offices let you start right after signing.

## Pros and limitations

| Pros | Limitations |
|---|---|
| Established tech cluster with major ICT firms | Only for technology and knowledge-based activities |
| Ready offices, data centres and fast connectivity | Electricity and maintenance are charged on top of rent |
| 100% foreign ownership | Not a free zone: no tax or customs holiday |
| Close to the airport, university and government | Space depends on availability in each building |

## Nearby alternatives

- [Rusayl Industrial City](https://omanregister.com/industrial-cities/rusayl-industrial-city/) next door, for production or assembly.
- [Muscat International Airport Free Zone](https://omanregister.com/free-zones/muscat-international-airport-free-zone/) for logistics and export-led businesses.
- A standard [mainland company](https://omanregister.com/mainland-company-registration-oman/) with an office anywhere in Muscat.

See every Madayn location on the [industrial cities hub](https://omanregister.com/industrial-cities/).

## How Oman Register helps

Oman Register prepares your KOM application and business plan, registers the company with the right technology activities and handles the lease paperwork. After that we take care of work permits, visas and bank account support for your team.

## FAQ

**How much does office space cost in Knowledge Oasis Muscat?**

Madayn's tariff sets KOM office rent at OMR 6 per m2 per month unfurnished and OMR 7 furnished, excluding electricity and maintenance. A 50 m2 unfurnished office therefore costs about OMR 3,600 a year before utilities.

**Who can set up in KOM?**

KOM is for technology and knowledge-based businesses, from start-ups and SMEs to multinationals, plus service providers that support them. Madayn reviews each application against a business plan before offering space.

**Is Knowledge Oasis Muscat a free zone?**

No. KOM is a Madayn technology park under mainland rules, so companies register as normal Omani companies and pay the standard 15% corporate tax. Its advantages are the location, infrastructure and tech ecosystem rather than tax.

**Can a foreigner own 100% of a company in KOM?**

Yes. Madayn allows up to 100% foreign ownership in KOM, and the Foreign Capital Investment Law allows fully foreign-owned companies for most technology activities.

**What documents does KOM ask for?**

Madayn asks for a letter of intent, a three-year business plan, the investor's profile or CV and a company profile, plus client referral letters and audited accounts where available.

## Sources

- [Madayn — Knowledge Oasis Muscat (KOM)](https://madayn.om/kom/)
- [Oman Government Services — Renew lease contract (Madayn tariff incl. KOM offices)](https://gov.om/en/w/renew-lease-contract)
- [OPAZ — Industrial Estates (Madayn)](https://opaz.gov.om/en/zones/industrial-estates-madayn)
- [Oman Observer — KOM draws RO 8.5 million in new projects (April 2026)](https://www.omanobserver.om/article/1188098/business/kom-draws-ro-85-million-in-new-projects)
- [Oman Observer — KOM home to more than 200 companies and institutions (July 2023)](https://www.omanobserver.om/article/1139779/business/economy/knowledge-oasis-muscat-is-home-to-more-than-200-companies-and-institutions)
- [Oman Observer — New KOM-6 building](https://www.omanobserver.om/ampArticle/29421)