Fundamental is the country's small population and resulting small domestic market. In addition, other regional producers typically offer higher subsidies for industry than Oman, creating similar industries and making competition difficult. Nearby Dub offers more efficient air and maritime port services, a vast free trade zone at Jewel Ail, rapid approval of visas for visitors and foreign residents, and greater product variety. An old civilization and a young state, Oman continues to modify its legal and institutional structures. While the general trend favors an open market economy, reluctance to take on new approaches as well as bureaucratic wrangling sometimes slow down private sector initiative.
Visas are easier to obtain than before, but require advance planning for non-GCC residents.
U.S. citizens are eligible for two year, multiple tourist and business visas on application at Omani embassies. Except at Washington, Omani embassies typically only offer single entry visas. Single entry visas for non-GCC residents still cannot be obtained upon arrival without making prior arrangements, including sending original photos. Anyone arriving without a visa is subject to deportation. In 1996, the Royal Oman Police, the immigration authority, reduced the maximum stay from two to one month, which has necessitated business visitors requiring longer stays to fly to Dub and re-enter.