MUSCAT: Air Liquide, a world leader in industrial cases, and Marafiq (part of OQ Group), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to develop a partnership for centralized production and supply of industrial gases in Duqm via a dedicated infrastructure. Duqm is expected to host a number of industries requiring industrial gases and focused on sustainable growth.
Under this agreement, Air Liquide and Marafiq will study the most efficient and low carbon solutions to produce and supply industrial gases to a variety of industries planned for Duqm. End-users such as property developers and industrial customers in Duqm will benefit from this partnership, including economies of scale, synergies, world-class technologies and operating expertise related to industrial gases.
Monica Varagnat, Large Industries Business Line VP, Africa, Middle East & India, said: “Air Liquide is very pleased to join Marafiq as a strategic partner who is aligned with our growth ambitions in the Duqm industrial basin. In the context of this partnership, Air Liquide will leverage its world-class technologies and expertise in the supply of industrial gases to contribute to the industrial development in Duqm.”
Abdullah al Hashimi, Managing Director of Marafiq, added: “The memorandum of understanding will enable Marafiq to enhance its services to industrial projects in the Special Economic Zone of Duqm and contribute to providing integrated services to companies operating in the zone, including electricity, water, industrial water, and industrial gases.”
He added: “Air Liquide is one of the companies specialized in the industrial gases sector, and we expect that the memorandum of understanding will contribute to achieving mutual benefits for the two companies, and at the same time contribute to serving and attracting many industrial projects to the Special Economic Zone of Duqm.
Air Liquide specializes in the production of gases, such as oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen, for industry and health, and has a presence in 73 countries. The Group is also developing solutions contributing to climate and the energy transition—particularly with hydrogen—and takes action to progress in areas of healthcare, digital and high technologies.
Marafiq manages the power and water sectors in the Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD) under a long-term agreement and enjoys the capability to produce power and industrial water to serve OQ8 (Duqm Refinery), OTTCO (Crude Oil Storage Park in Ras Markaz). In Addition, Marafiq is supplying electricity to the zone through the zone distribution company to serve industrial, commercial and tourism projects, and residential properties in the Zone.
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