Establishing
Clusters for Pharmaceutical Industries, Medical Devices Enhances National Drug
Security

Muscat,
22 Sep 2026 (ONA) — His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik’s blessing of the
proposal to establish specialised industrial clusters for pharmaceutical
industries and medical devices in the economic zones and free zones aims
to enhance national drug security and localize pharmaceutical and biomedical
industries.

This
took place when His Majesty the Sultan presided over the meeting of the Council
of Ministers.

Qais
Mohammed Al Yousef, Chairman of the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones
and Free Zones (OPAS), explained that the proposal to establish specialized
industrial clusters for pharmaceutical industries and medical devices in
economic zones and free zones comes through cooperation between the Authority,
the Ministry of Health, relevant government entities, and operators in the
Salalah Free Zone, Raysut Industrial City affiliated with the Public Establishment
for Industrial Estates “Madayn”, and Khazaen Economic City.

He
said in a statement to Oman News Agency (ONA) that the proposal aims to enhance
national drug security, localize pharmaceutical and biomedical industries, and
support national efforts aimed at localizing pharmaceutical and medical
industries while attracting qualitative investments to this vital sector.

Al
Yousef added that this direction comes within the framework of building an
integrated ecosystem for pharmaceutical industries, medical devices, and
medical supplies in special economic zones, free zones, and industrial cities,
and making use of their capabilities in terms of advanced infrastructure and a
stimulating investment environment, thereby contributing to enhancing the
competitiveness of the Sultanate of Oman as a destination for specialized
investments in pharmaceutical and medical industries.

He
clarified that the first phase includes launching Salalah City for
Pharmaceutical and Medical Industries, which represents cooperation and
integration between Salalah Free Zone and Raysut Industrial City, with a total
area exceeding one million square meters.

Salalah
Free Zone is allocating an area of approximately 500,000 square meters for
medical and pharmaceutical investments, while Raysut Industrial City is
allocating an area exceeding 500,000 square meters for the same sector,
providing an integrated industrial domain that benefits from the industrial and
logistical capabilities of Dhofar Governorate and contributes to building
interconnected value chains serving manufacturers, suppliers, and service
providers associated with the sector.

The
Chairman of OPAZ pointed out that the first phase also includes establishing a
zone for pharmaceutical and medical industries in Khazaen Economic City over an
area exceeding 500,000 square meters. Its selection comes based on its
strategic location, logistical integration, and proximity to markets and
consumption centers, alongside the growth it is witnessing in industrial and
pharmaceutical investments.

Al
Yousef emphasized that the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free
Zones is working with relevant entities, developers, and operators to prepare
these clusters to attract specialized local and international companies, and to
develop an integrated investment ecosystem supporting manufacturing,
warehousing, distribution, and export operations, while providing the
appropriate environment for the growth of pharmaceutical and medical industries
and associated activities.

—Ends/AG