Oman plans more economic zones to boost trade

The Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) organised its annual media briefing in presence of Dr. Ali bin Masoud al Sunaidy, Chairman of OPAZ, Eng. Ahmed bin Hassan Al Dheeb, Deputy Chairman, CEOs of the special economic zones and free zones, other officials and media

representatives.

During the event, OPAZ presented key achievements of 2022 of OPAZ and its affiliated zones in different related sectors. It also disclosed its strategy and objectives for the

the current year 2023, the main projects and accomplishments in the different special economic zones and the free zones.

OPAZ demonstrated its plans and strategy in line with Oman's Vision to boost

OPAZ officials highlighted the 21 zones affiliated with OPAZ, including (13) existing zones that are the Special Economic Zone in Duqm, (3) three free zones (Sohar, Salalah, and Al Mazunah, and other (9) economic zones under the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (Madayn), while (8) other zones are still under

development (two of which are economic and one is a free zone), in addition to (5) industrial zones in various parts in the Sultanate of Oman.

Volume of Investments

The Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) revealed that the volume of investment in all its affiliated zones amounted to RO 15.2 billion by the

end of 2022, with a growth rate of 6%, while the total area of the zones exceeded 2200 square kilometers. In addition, the total usufruct agreements signed during the

same year reached over 130 agreements, the number of workers in the special economic zones and free zones stood at 74,663 workers, while the investment

requests exceeded 600 and the number of projects are 3246 projects in all zones.

The Special Economic Zone at Duqm

The total volume of investment in the Special Economic Zone at Duqm until December 2022 amounted to RO 3.6 billion. The total number of manpower are 18,624 and

bringing the Omanisation rate to 17,2%.

Sohar Free Zone

The total volume of investment in the Sohar Free Zone reached RO 462 million until December 2022. The total number of manpower is 2,556 and bringing Omanisation

rate to 44%.

Salalah Free Zone

The pace of growth continues in Salalah Free Zone, as the total volume of investment reached RO 3.8 billion in 2022. The total number of manpower is 2,490 and bringing

Omanisation rate at 38%.

Al Mazunah Free Zone

Al Mazunah Free Zone is the first free zone in the Sultanate of Oman. The total volume of investment reached RO 138 million until December of 2022. The total number of

manpower is 726 and bringing the Omanisation rate to 14%.

 Industrial Estates

Industrial cities are spread over various governorates. They registered RO 7,2 billion as a total volume of investment until December 2022. The total number of manpower

is 50,267 and bringing the Omanisation rate to 41%.

OPAZ affiliated zones (Under development)

1. Integrated Economic Zone at Al Dhahirah Governorate (EZAD)

Total area allocated: 388 km2.

2. The Special Economic Zone in Al Rawadha:

Total Area allocated: 56 km2

3. Free Zone at Muscat International Airport:

The total area allocated: 1.7 km2

4. Industrial Cities:

- There are (5) industrial cities under development and study

Developing the legislative system

The development of the legislative system is a cornerstone in promoting an attractive investment environment that contributes to making the Public Authority for Special

Economic Zones and Free Zones as one of the top destinations for attracting investment globally and regionally. OPAZ has completed the draft law of special economic zones

and free zones, which aims to unify the legislative system for special economic zones and free zones. It also set the regulatory framework for transferring the affiliation of the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (Madayn) to OPAZ and completed the project of standardizing the services fees in the zones affiliated with OPAZ.