Investments in Oman’s special economic zones and industrial cities had surpassed RO 16.6 billion as of June 30, 2023, according to the Public Authority for Special Econoic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ).
Of this total, existing industrial cities account for RO 7.3 billion in investments, Salalah Free Zone (RO 4.5 billion), Special Economic Zone at Duqm (RO 3.8 billion), Sohar Freezone (RO 570 million, Al Mazunah Free Zone (RO 139 million, and Khazaen Economic City (RO 323 million), OPAZ noted.
Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD) During the first half of this year, SEZAD received investments of RO 185 million, lifting the total cumulative investment to over RO 3.8 billion. During this period, 16 investment agreements were signed and 111 investment applications were received. Additionally, 80 applications for commercial activities were registered and 420 public service licenses were issued. SEZAD also approved 22 building permits and 34 environmental permits and licenses.
SEZAD is actively working to attract a diverse range of economic activities, such as clean energy projects, green hydrogen production, ammonia, refineries, petrochemical industries, commercial, tourism, logistics, light and medium industries, fishery industries, and real estate development projects. The vast area of 2000 sq kilometres available to SEZAD allows it to accommodate requests from investors who require relatively large plots of land for their investment projects.
Sohar Freezone Investments in Sohar Free Zone during the first half of this year totaled RO 94 million Omani, bringing the total cumulative investment to RO 570 million. During this period, Sohar Freezone signed four investment agreements and received 179 investment applications, Additionally, Sohar Freezone issued 284 licenses for public services and approved nine building permits, along with 90 environmental permits.
Sohar Freezone covers a total area of 45 square kilometers and boasts an integrated infrastructure, supported by a large and vital port. It is home to diverse projects that span various sectors, including minerals, petrochemicals, and food industries. One of Sohar Freezone’s competitive advantages is that it offers warehouses and prefabricated offices for rent to companies.
Salalah Free Zone (SFZ) Investments worth RO 727 million were made in SFZ from January to the end of June 2023, taking the total cumulative investment to RO 4.5 billion. During this period, SFZ received 127 investment applications and 18 commercial activities applications. SFZ signed 6 agreements, issued 173 public service licenses, approved 3 building permits, and granted 41 environmental permits and licenses. Additionally, SFZ issued 1512 business and investor licenses.
Al Mazunah Free Zone (MFZ) The total investments in MFZ during the period from the beginning of the year to the end of June amounted to RO 1.3 million. This brings the total cumulative investment to RO 139 million. Furthermore, MFZ registered 25 investment applications and issued 19 business licenses, as well as 50 business and investor licenses. The number of workers in the zone surpassed 300.
The Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (Madayn) manages the operation of MFZ. MFS acts as the Gulf gateway for transit trade to Yemen. The establishment of MFZ has strengthened the relationship between the two countries and has helped revive economic activity on both sides of the border.
Madayn Madayn recorded investments of RO 87.6 million Omani during the first half of this year, lifting the cumulative to RO 7.3 billion across the country. Since the beginning of the year, Madayn has received 122 new investment applications, while it has registered 80 applications in various commercial activities and issued 843 licenses to practice activities.
Madayn is currently working on building two industrial cities in Oman. The first city is located in Al Wadi Al Kabir and spans an area of 2.15 million square meters. The second city is Mahas Industrial City, located in the Wilayat of Khasab, and covers an area of 1.5 million square meters. Currently, Mahas Industrial City houses 10 diverse industrial projects, including cement products, bricks, ready-mix concrete, quarries, and electricity production.
Madayn also manages and operates industrial cities that covers a total area of 122 square kilometers, distributed across several governorates, such as Sur, Sohar, Raysut, Nizwa, Buraimi, Rusayl, Samayil, Ibri, Mudhaibi, Mahas, Al Wadi Al Kabir, Muscat Knowledge Oasis and MFZ.
khazaen Economic City (KEC) Since its establishment, KEC has signed over 110 investment agreements. The signed agreements commit more than RO 323 million in various sectors. The most prominent investment was the $50 million logistics project signed with the Qatari Group. Khazaen celebrated laying the foundation stone for the second phase of Opal Biopharma factory in the Pharmaceutical City.
Economic Zone at Al Dhahirah (EZAD) OPAZ has recently announced a tender for Omani and Saudi companies to bid through the electronic tender system (ESNAD) for consulting services related to the design and supervision of infrastructure facilities. The infrastructure facilities will be implemented in preparation for the commencement of construction work for the establishment of EZAD.
Oman Daily Observer
