The Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) organised its annual media briefing on May 7th, 2023 in the presence of HE 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 current year 2023, the main projects and accomplishments in the different special economic zones and the free zones.

Further, OPAZ demonstrated its plans and strategy in line with the Oman Vision to boost investment opportunities and attract foreign investments in the special, free and economic zones, to create an attractive environment conducive to investments that contribute to achieving competitiveness of the zones globally and regionally, and to maximising the role of small and medium enterprises as an essential part in the implementation of government and private sectors projects in these zones.

Moreover, OPAZ officials highlighted the 21 zones affiliated to 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 RO15.2bn by the end of 2022, with a growth rate of 6 per cent, while the total area of the zones exceeded 2,200 sq.kms. 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 is 3,246 projects across all zones.

Performance Indicators of OPAZ-affiliated Zones for 2022   

· The Special Economic Zone at Duqm

The total volume of investment in the Special Economic Zone at Duqm until December 2022 amounted to RO3.6bn. The total number of manpower stands at 18,624 and the Omanisation rate is at 17.2 per cent.

· Sohar Free Zone

The total volume of investment in the Sohar Free Zone reached RO462mn until December 2022. The total number of manpower is 2,556 and the Omanisation rate is at 44 per cent.

· Salalah Free Zone

The pace of growth continues in Salalah Free Zone, as the total volume of investment reached RO3.8bn in 2022. The total number of manpower stands at 2,490 and the Omanisation rate is at 38 per cent.

· Al Mazunah Free Zone

Al Mazunah Free Zone is the first free zone in the Sultanate of Oman. The total volume of investment reached RO138mn until December 2022. The total number of manpower is 726 and the Omanisation rate is at 14 per cent.

· Industrial Estates

The industrial cities are spread across various governorates. They registered RO7.2bn as a total volume of investment until December 2022. The total number of manpower is 50,267 and Omanisation rate stands at 41 per cent.

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:

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 one of the top destinations in 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 standardising the services fees in the zones affiliated with OPAZ.