Assarain Concrete Products Duqm (ACPD), part of the Assarain Group, has signed a 25-year-long usufruct (land) renewable lease agreement for a sizeable plot of 60,000 square metres with Duqm Industrial Land Company (DILC), a subsidiary of Port of Duqm Company (PDC). The event was graced and presided over by Reggy Vermeulen, CEO, Port of Duqm, and Khalid Said Al Wahaibi, managing director, Assarain Group, who signed the agreement.

DILC has been granted a concession to manage 2,000 hectares of land earmarked for medium heavy, heavy and petrochemical industrial land in Duqm. The lease agreement will enable ACPD to construct a mega block making plant through this subsidiary of Assarain Concrete Products & Trading (ACP in industry circles). Both ACP and ACPD are members of the Said Salem Al Wahaibi Group of Companies (Assarain Group).

As part of the commitment of Assarain to contribute effectively to the world-class infrastructure being built by the Special Economic Zone in Duqm (SEZAD), Assarain Group decided to put up a technologically advanced, state-of-the-art, large German plant. The plant can produce high-quality building blocks, interlocking tiles, special products and another proposed plant under ACPD, producing a wide range of kerbstones, paving slabs, etc. The company shall supply to all the high-profile projects, housing and tourism sectors of Duqm and the Al Wusta region, both showing remarkable industrial growth under the leadership of SEZAD.

Wahaibi mentioned that Assarain was aware of the government’s focus on the Duqm region, which was being taken forward at a very fast pace. He also commended the initiatives of SEZAD and the Port of Duqm for creating such a mega hub in Duqm, facilitating further inclusive growth of the region and the country as a whole.

Alok Varma, general manager, added, “This agreement consolidates and expands the scope of Assarain to reach a wider customer segment in a more effective way using the strategically located land which is near the Port of Duqm. Now, with this addition, Assarain Concrete, a quality manufacturer, has multiple mega manufacturing facilities based in Muscat, Sohar, Duqm and Dubai.”

After signing the agreement, Vermeulen informed the press that DILC is committed to offering its continuous support to ACPD in setting up the project and will aim to continue giving the best customer experience and value towards this agreement.

Erwin Mortelmans, commercial director at PDC, added that such significant investment will position ACPD as one of the major growth engines for SEZAD and PDC, with respect to the construction, building material and infrastructure sectors of Duqm.