Wednesday 08 / April / 2026
Muscat: The Board of Directors of the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (Opaz) held its second meeting of the current year on Wednesday, under the chairmanship of by Qais Mohammed Al Yousef, Chairman of the Board.
The board reviewed the implementation status of its previous resolutions, as well as policies aimed at improving institutional performance efficiency and achieving sustainable economic growth targets, in line with national priorities.
The Board of Directors also held an expanded strategic meeting bringing together the CEOs of the economic, free zones, and industrial zones, along with Asyad Group, to discuss mechanisms for activating the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the Republic of India within the special economic zones, free zones, and industrial cities, thereby contributing to enhanced investment flows and trade exchange.
The meeting also addressed practical plans to maximise the benefits of the agreement in developing supply chains, strengthening industrial integration, and leveraging the Sultanate of Oman's strategic location and its port network connected to global markets. In addition, discussions focused on ways to maximise the economic impact of the zones and activate their role as key drivers of growth and investment.
The Authority's five-year plan for the period (2026–2030) was also reviewed, including its projects, visions, and initiatives. The plan focuses on developing a system of incentives and competitive advantages to enhance the zones' ability to attract investments amid global economic transformations, as well as advancing the logistical and industrial role of the zones, supported by advanced infrastructure and direct maritime connectivity with regional and international markets.
The Special Economic Zone at Duqm (Sezad) delivered a presentation on current and future projects, highlighting infrastructure developments and tourism projects, including the coastal tourism master plan, which is expected to support the diversification of economic activities within the zone.
The meeting also reviewed developments concerning new zones, including the Free Zone at Muscat International Airport, the Special Economic Zone at Al Rawdah, and the Special Economic Zone in Al Dhahirah Governorate. Detailed presentations were given on the progress of infrastructure projects and investment attraction efforts. The meeting also included a presentation on the current state of media and institutional communication within the Authority and the zones under its supervision, as well as ways to develop communication channels with partners and stakeholders to enhance the effectiveness of promotional messaging for the special economic zones, free zones, and industrial cities.
Dr. Said Khalifa Al Qurini, Director General of Investment Sector Development at the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones and the Authority's official spokesperson, stated that investment advantages and incentives are key factors in enhancing the attractiveness of special economic zones, free zones, and industrial clusters in the Sultanate of Oman. They contribute to raising their competitiveness regionally and internationally and attracting high-value investments that add value to the national economy.
He explained that the clearer, more flexible, and better tailored incentives are to investors' needs, the greater the zones' ability to attract capital, facilitate the transfer of modern technologies, localise industries, generate job opportunities for citizens, and boost exports. Furthermore, offering benefits such as tax exemptions, facilitation of ownership or usufruct rights, streamlined procedures, and integrated infrastructure and logistics services provide investors with the confidence and stability necessary for making long-term investment decisions.
Dr. Ahmed Said Kashoub, a member of the Authority's Board of Directors, noted that this meeting reflects the Board's commitment to enhancing institutional coordination and unifying efforts among various relevant entities and strategic partners, thereby contributing to raising the level of integration.
He affirmed that the integration of roles among relevant entities represents a fundamental pillar in supporting economic diversification targets, enhancing performance efficiency in the special economic zones, free zones, and industrial zones, which positively reflects on improving the investment environment, attracting high-value projects, and achieving sustainable added value for the national economy.
Dr. Ahmed further emphasized that the Board of Directors of the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones stresses the importance of accelerating the implementation of strategic initiatives, enhancing integration among various entities, and capitalizing on the opportunities offered by international partnerships, thereby contributing to increased investment flows, diversifying the economic base, and achieving sustainable growth that strengthens the competitiveness of the national economy.
