Muscat: On Sunday, the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) launched an electronic One-Stop Shop for Salalah and Sohar Free Zones. This adds to the digital transformation initiatives that had commenced with the automation of the One-Stop-Shop in the Duqm SEZ. Steps are underway to integrate the Al Mazunah Free Zone into the One-Stop Shop portal.

The launch of Electronic One-Stop-Shop services seeks to support OPAZ’s efforts in attracting greater investments to the zones under its purview thereby, accelerating the completion of investor applications, facilitating starting business and transforming paper applications to electronic applications. This would ensure that transparency is achieved in the pathways of each service.

In the past months, OPAZ has streamlined and integrated the procedures for obtaining the services offered by SEZs and free zones through their electronic portals. The services allow investors access to a myriad of services like applying for land usufruct, demarcation of plots, EIA service, the appointment of project consultant, the appointment of project contractor, project plans submission, building permit submission, commencement of construction, and building completion certificate request. Other services will be added in the future.

The electronic One Stop Shop will greatly streamline the interactions between contractors and the authorities, in terms of applying for services, follow-ups and e-payments.