Total
Committed Investment Exceed RO 22.4 Billion in Economic, Free, Industrial Zones

Muscat,
16 Feb 2026 (ONA) — New investments in special economic zones, free zones,
and industrial cities exceeded RO 1.4 billion in 2025, bringing the total
committed investment in areas overseen by the Public Authority for Special
Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) to RO 22.4 billion, a 6.8% increase
compared to 2024.

This
was announced during a media briefing held by the Public Authority for Special
Economic Zones and Free Zones today.

The
Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) announced
that during 2025 as many as 325 new investment agreements were signed in the
special economic zones, free zones, and industrial cities, covering various
economic sectors, alongside the release of newly prepared areas for industrial
investment in several zones. Work is underway to develop four new industrial
cities in Al Mudhaibi, A’Suwaiq, Thumrait, and Madha, aimed at accommodating
diverse industrial activities, enhancing the local manufacturing base, and
creating additional employment opportunities for Omani youth.

During
the press briefing, Qais Mohammed Al Yousef, Chairman of the Public Authority
for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ), stated that OPAZ continues
its efforts to create a competitive and attractive investment environment that
supports economic diversification and enhances financial sustainability.

He
explained that the OPAZ strategy and vision focus on establishing special
economic zones, free zones, and industrial cities as preferred investment
destinations by organising a business-friendly environment, offering targeted
incentives, and maximising the added value of projects.

Al
Yousef added that the economic zones, free zones, and industrial cities have
cemented their position as integrated economic platforms that undertake an
active role in supporting economic diversification and boosting investment
attractiveness, while maximising benefits from free trade agreements and
comprehensive economic partnerships.

He
noted that the OPAZ has strengthened its international presence by joining the
World Free Zones Organization (World FZO), enabling the zones to connect with a
global network of free zones and benefit from best international practices in
management.

Al
Yousef confirmed that the OPAZ continues to develop a number of specialised
economic clusters supporting value-added manufacturing and logistics.

He
also shed light on the projects that include the Integrated Cold Chain Economic
Cluster in the Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD), supporting the food and
fisheries industries and linking them to supply and export chains; the
Integrated Aluminium Economic Cluster in Sohar Industrial City; and the consultancy
tender for the Integrated Mining Economic Cluster in Shaleem, covering market
studies, feasibility studies, and detailed planning. Additionally, a study is
underway to establish a silica and mining industries complex in the Special
Economic Zone at Duqm, as one of the targeted industrial projects to maximise
the use of the area’s available mineral resources.

On
his turn, Eng. Ahmed Hassan Al Dheeb, Deputy Chairman of OPAZ, said that 2025
saw multiple achievements across the OPAZ’s focus areas, including planning and
development, regulation and supervision, facilitation and post-service support,
marketing and investment attraction, institutional excellence, and operations
and business acceleration.

He
added that last year saw further development of the legislative environment
with the issuance of the Special Economic Zones and Free Zones Law under Royal
Decree No. 38/2025, which aimed to unify the legislative framework across
different zones, provide flexibility and additional incentives for strategic
projects, and introduce provisions regulating real estate development projects.
Additionally, Royal Decree No. 87/2025 established the Special Economic Zone in
A’Dhahirah Governorate, while Royal Decree No. 88/2025 created the Special
Economic Zone in Al Rawdah, located in the Wilayat of Mahdha, Al Buraimi
Governorate.

Al
Dheeb reviewed developments in the zones, noting that the Special Economic Zone
in A’Dhahirah began construction of Phase I, including main roads and drainage
channels, and the signing of 11 agreements between the main contractor and
small and medium enterprises valued at RO 5.7 million, with a completion rate
of around 14.9% by the end of last year.

Al
Rawdah Special Economic Zone saw the signing of a development and operations
agreement with Mahdha Development Company to implement Phase I over 14 square
kilometres. The site was handed over to the developer and the master plan
approved, while tenders were issued for drainage works and project supervision.

In
the Muscat International Airport Free Zone, progress was achieved on customs
buildings, gates, and the security fence, with 72% of the road and basic
infrastructure networks completed.

In
the Special Economic Zone at Duqm, a consultancy tender was awarded to prepare
a detailed master plan for the 31-square-kilometre coastal tourism area to
attract further tourism investment and develop the lifestyle in Duqm.

Al
Dheeb confirmed that the OPAZ worked last year to increase foreign investment
by engaging with over 500 companies, targeting sectors such as pharmaceuticals,
food, sustainable construction, services, logistics and warehousing, and
renewable energy technologies and equipment.

He
added that the OPAZ launched a Strategic Projects Tracking platform to monitor
projects from negotiation to the signing of usufruct agreements and the start
of construction. By the end of the previous year, 294 projects were registered
on the platform in sectors including renewable energy, petrochemicals, food and
fisheries, and minerals, along with other diverse sectors.

OPAZ
reviewed the indicators and achievements of the Special Economic Zones, Free
Zones, and Industrial Cities through a visual presentation. The largest share
of this investment was concentrated in the Salalah Free Zone at 28%, followed
by the Sohar Free Zone at 26%. Both zones recorded high growth rates as a
result of attracting significant agreements in the manufacturing and logistics
sectors. Approximately 97% of the added investment was concentrated in the
industrial sector, amounting to nearly RO 1.39 billion. The remaining
percentage was distributed across the commercial, service, logistics, and
technology sectors, with relatively lower values, reflecting the continued
concentration of investments in manufacturing.

The
Authority also noted during its presentation that Khazaen Economic City
recorded the highest growth rate in added investment, reaching approximately
63%, as a result of signing several new agreements in the industrial sector.
The Sohar Free Zone also recorded an increase of 28% due to the signing of
several agreements, including the Shurooq Solar Energy Agreement.

The
Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (Madayn) also witnessed notable
growth of 3.32% in added investment.

Regarding
employment, Al Dheeb confirmed that the zones under OPAZ supervision provided
4,467 job opportunities for Omanis last year, surpassing the annual target of
2,500 positions. This brings the total number of Omanis working in special economic
zones, free zones, and industrial cities to 30,780 out of approximately 85,000
workers, achieving a localisation rate of 36%. The amount of SMEs working in
these zones reached 4,774.

During
the briefing, the updated version of the OMap Platform was launched, serving as
the central reference for spatial data and master plans for all special
economic zones, free zones, and industrial cities. The platform provides a
unified digital window that consolidates data for all zones, offering
investors, government entities, and developers access to accurate, up-to-date
information through interactive 2D and 3D maps, improving decision-making and
expediting investment procedures.

The
Public Establishment for Industrial Estates “Madayn” also presented the RABT
platform, an intelligent data system connecting local suppliers with existing
industries in industrial cities, special economic zones, and free zones. It
integrates local products and services into government tender documents,
linking them to procurement quantities and ensuring priority usage or supply.
The platform also analyses all products and services offered by companies in
industrial cities to connect them with other businesses and sectors.

OPAZ
shed light on the achievements of the one-stop shop in 2025, including the
issuance of 2,509 economic activity licenses, 1,125 public service licenses,
2,605 commercial registrations, 131 environmental licenses, and 225
environmental permits. Additionally, 419 investor visas and 7,114 work permits
were issued, alongside 284 building permits, reflecting the growing volume of
services and streamlined procedures.

In
2025, the Special Economic Zone at Duqm signed a wind turbine project worth RO
70 million, with Phase I producing turbine components and Phase II
manufacturing turbine towers.

In
the Sohar Free Zone, a project to manufacture and supply high-efficiency solar
cells and modules was signed, targeting 6 GW of solar cells and 3 GW of modules
annually. The second and third phases of the ACME Green Hydrogen and Green
Ammonia project in Duqm cover 80 square kilometres, with each phase expected to
produce 71,000 tonnes of green hydrogen and 400 tonnes of green ammonia
annually. Ongoing projects include the ACME project (over 50% completed in
Phase I and the Green Steel Plant by Jindal, exceeding 30% completion.

—Ends/AG