Fish canning, value added complex in Duqm inaugurated

Duqm: The Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD) celebrated on Thursday the inauguration of the Fish Canning and Value-Added Products Complex, managed by the International Seafood Company (SIMAK), a subsidiary of the Fisheries Development Oman (FDO).

The ceremony was held under the auspices of Dr Saud Hamoud al Habsi, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources.

The Fish Canning Complex benefits from the facilities provided by the Fish and Food Industries Zone and the Multipurpose Fishing Port within the SEZAD. With a production capacity of 100 million cans of fish annually, the Complex commenced commercial production last March. Following the launch of canned tuna in local markets over the past months, the company plans to introduce other products, such as canned sardines and mackerel, in the coming months.

Al Habsi affirmed that the fisheries sector is undergoing continuous development in value-added industries. The inauguration of the International Seafood Company (Simak), comes as part of the Ministry's efforts to maximise the economic value of fish products by encouraging investments in such projects.

The project includes two production lines for canning tuna and sardines, with a processing capacity of 30,000 tonnes annually and an estimated output exceeding 100 million cans per year. Raw materials for the factory are sourced through purchases from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and local fishermen as part of efforts to enhance local content. The project targets local markets as well as markets in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

The Minister highlighted that this project is part of Oman’s efforts to achieve economic diversification and develop the fisheries sector, which is one of the country’s most significant economic sectors. The factory is expected to create numerous job opportunities for Omani youth and strengthen the presence of Omani products in global markets.

He added that "At the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Water Resources we reaffirm our commitment to supporting this vital sector. We look forward to this project serving as the beginning of further initiatives that contribute to advancing the fish industry in the Sultanate of Oman and achieving sustainable development."

Oman's total production from natural fisheries witnessed a 13% increase during the period from January to July this year, reaching approximately 410,000 tonnes compared to 364,000 tonnes in the same period last year. The value of fish production also rose by 6%, from RO 261 million to RO 277 million.

The contribution of the fisheries sector to the gross domestic product (GDP) at constant prices grew from RO 128.4 million in the first half of 2023 to RO 143.9 million in the first half of 2024, reflecting a growth rate of 12.1%.

The Fish Canning and Value-Added Complex, operated by Simak, is located in the Fish and Food Industries Zone, less than 3 km from the multi-purpose fishing port. This port is managed by a consortium comprising several companies under the Oman Investment Authority (OIA) and Port of Lorient, one of the largest fishing ports in Europe. Recently, the authority announced a tender for complementary works at the port, including superstructure and utility network projects, aimed at enabling the port to achieve its objectives of developing the fish and food industries sector.

On his turn, Shaikh Dr Ali Masoud al Sunaidy, Chairman of the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) said that the Fish Canning and Value-Added Complex is one of the key investments in the Fish and Food Industries Zone within the SEZAD. Over the past years, the zone has successfully attracted many factories specialising in fish processing and manufacturing. OPAZ continues to develop the area to attract more food industries, leveraging its proximity to the multi-purpose fishing port.

Al Sunaidy noted that OPAZ is currently working on expanding the Fish and Food Industries Zone to maximise the economic value of fisheries and develop other sectors within the food industries. He further explained that a plot of land opposite this area has been allocated for veterinary and agricultural quarantine to facilitate imports of livestock, fruits and vegetables from East African countries.

He affirmed that the expansion plans align with the completion of essential services such as electricity, water and infrastructure. He noted that the detailed master plan for the first phase of the zone has been finalised, and work is underway to award contracts for internal roads and infrastructure development in this phase.

Moreover, Zakaria Sulaiman al Hassani, CEO of Simak, expressed his delight at the official inauguration of the Complex, which aims to provide high-quality canned fish products to consumers. He emphasised the company's commitment to implementing global quality standards in production processes, with all products undergoing testing in the company's laboratories to ensure compliance with quality standards and product specifications.