Sohar
Free Zone Ranked Among Top Three Free Zones Globally

London,
12 Nov (ONA) —- The Sultanate of Oman has achieved a qualitative
accomplishment that reflects the strength of its position on the global
investment map, as the Sohar Free Zone was ranked among the top three Free
Zones in the world, according to the October/November 2025 issue of the British
Financial Times’ fDi Magazine (Foreign Direct Investment).

This
achievement reflects the remarkable improvement in the zone’s operational
performance, service efficiency, and diversity of targeted sectors. It was
based on an evaluation by an international judging panel that relied on
documented data and precise technical criteria, including infrastructure,
attractive legislation, investment incentives, governance, innovation,
sustainability, and the economic and social impact of the free zones.

The
report also officially included the Duqm Special Economic Zone (SEZAD) in the
magazine’s database, a recognition of Duqm’s potential as an emerging
industrial and logistics hub, and a strategic step to enhance Oman’s presence
in global classifications for the coming years.

This
ranking reinforces the Sultanate of Oman’s position on the global investment
map and affirms its efficiency as a competitive logistics and industrial hub,
especially given its vital geographical location close to Asian and African
markets and international shipping lanes. It also reflects the confidence of
international investors in the stability of Oman’s business environment and its
ability to attract quality investments.

The
achievement also embodies the success of the Public Authority for Special
Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) in implementing the axes of Oman Vision
2040, including diversifying sources of income, attracting quality investments,
creating sustainable job opportunities, strengthening the public-private
partnership, and stimulating innovation and sustainability in economic
development.

This
accomplishment underscores the Sohar Free Zone’s commitment to implementing
concepts of sustainability, innovation, and digital transformation by
supporting environmentally friendly projects and facilitating procedures
through smart electronic platforms. This enhances the competitiveness of the
investment environment and creates an advanced development model that
contributes to attracting converting industries and major projects to reinforce
added value chains and establish economic links with the transport, energy, and
logistics sectors, thus supporting economic growth in neighboring governorates
and boosting the gross domestic product.

This
ranking represents a qualitative indicator of the actual transformation in the
Omani investment environment. It also serves as a platform to enhance global
partnerships and attract capital and modern technologies, contributing to the
achievement of the goals of Oman Vision 2040 in a sustainable and systematic
manner.

OPAZ
recommended the formation of a national team to prepare a unified file for
working on the 2026 performance indicators, which includes several government
entities and representatives from the zones under its supervision, monitoring
the impact of the classifications on investment flows, and directing relevant
departments to utilize the report’s results in enhancing Oman’s global
competitiveness.

—Ends/AG