In its annual search for the world’s best free zones, the jury from fDi Magazine, part of the UK’s Financial Times group, has awarded Oman’s SOHAR Freezone in two ‘2015 Free Zone of the Year’ categories: with one commendation for ‘Ease of Access’ and another for ‘Infrastructure Improvements’.
Jamal Aziz, CEO of SOHAR Freezone, commented: “We are delighted to receive this international recognition for SOHAR Freezone and fDi Magazine certainly did their homework; this past year has seen great progress made in terms of accessibility thanks to huge improvements in our fast growing network of new and uncongested highways; with the recent opening of SOHAR Airport we will soon be able to offer seamless sea-road-air cargo connections in Oman.”
The first phase of SOHAR Freezone is now almost fully leased out, several years ahead of the original schedule, as many overseas investors discover the unique advantages of SOHAR Port and Freezone’s location outside the Strait of Hormuz.
This has made it an ideal trans-shipment centre between east and west, as well as an important gateway not only to the growing MENA region, but also as a stepping-off point to around 3.5 billion consumers across easily accessible neighbouring regions of China, India and Eastern Africa.