
Duqm expands green spaces to enhance livability, appeal
The afforestation and landscaping efforts, part of a broader environmental and urban development strategy, have improved local climate conditions and enhanced Duqm's appeal to residents, visitors and investors alike, a press release stated.
In the preparatory phase from 2015 to 2021, SEZAD planted 3,414 trees and developed 24,760sqm of green areas, installing modern irrigation systems linked to treated wastewater networks to reduce fresh water use and operational costs. Key streets including Sultan Said bin Taimur, Sai Street and Tourist Street were among those landscaped.
The first major expansion phase from 2021 to 2025 added 8,398 trees and 24,144sqm of green spaces, all supported by advanced irrigation infrastructure. Duqm's first agricultural nursery was established on a 5,000sqm site to supply thousands of seedlings annually, aiding ongoing afforestation and tree replacement across key locations such as Sultan Qaboos bin Said Street, Airport Street, Sai's commercial district park, and the beach park in the tourism zone.
A total of 11,812 trees were planted to create nearly 48,904sqm of green spaces during these two phases, with a combined investment of around RO4.4mn. Eng Ibrahim bin Zahir al Rawahi, Head of SEZAD's Landscaping and Gardens Department, said the initiative aims to improve quality of life, reduce sand-laden winds and provide recreational spaces while promoting environmental sustainability through treated wastewater irrigation.
He added that upcoming phases will feature larger greening projects and more connections to sustainable irrigation systems, strengthening Duqm's position as a modern city attractive to residents, tourists and investors.
'Expanding green spaces not only improves the local environment but also enhances Duqm's appeal as a promising tourism and investment destination,' he said.
The development of parks and landscaped areas provides safe and comfortable environments for families and community events, supporting tourism.
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Muscat Daily
3 days ago
- Muscat Daily
Duqm expands green spaces to enhance livability, appeal
Duqm – The Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD) has significantly increased green spaces and tree planting between 2015 and mid-2025, transforming the desert city into a more livable and investment-friendly environment. The afforestation and landscaping efforts, part of a broader environmental and urban development strategy, have improved local climate conditions and enhanced Duqm's appeal to residents, visitors and investors alike, a press release stated. In the preparatory phase from 2015 to 2021, SEZAD planted 3,414 trees and developed 24,760sqm of green areas, installing modern irrigation systems linked to treated wastewater networks to reduce fresh water use and operational costs. Key streets including Sultan Said bin Taimur, Sai Street and Tourist Street were among those landscaped. The first major expansion phase from 2021 to 2025 added 8,398 trees and 24,144sqm of green spaces, all supported by advanced irrigation infrastructure. Duqm's first agricultural nursery was established on a 5,000sqm site to supply thousands of seedlings annually, aiding ongoing afforestation and tree replacement across key locations such as Sultan Qaboos bin Said Street, Airport Street, Sai's commercial district park, and the beach park in the tourism zone. A total of 11,812 trees were planted to create nearly 48,904sqm of green spaces during these two phases, with a combined investment of around RO4.4mn. Eng Ibrahim bin Zahir al Rawahi, Head of SEZAD's Landscaping and Gardens Department, said the initiative aims to improve quality of life, reduce sand-laden winds and provide recreational spaces while promoting environmental sustainability through treated wastewater irrigation. He added that upcoming phases will feature larger greening projects and more connections to sustainable irrigation systems, strengthening Duqm's position as a modern city attractive to residents, tourists and investors. 'Expanding green spaces not only improves the local environment but also enhances Duqm's appeal as a promising tourism and investment destination,' he said. The development of parks and landscaped areas provides safe and comfortable environments for families and community events, supporting tourism.


Observer
4 days ago
- Observer
Duqm Summer Series focuses on keeping talent switched on
BUSINESS REPORTER DUQM, AUG 12 The Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD) continued its inaugural Duqm Summer Series on Tuesday with a one-hour session on workforce development – a subject increasingly at the heart of business strategy. In a world of rapid change, finding, keeping and growing the right people has become as important as securing investment or winning new markets. Organised by Hanan al Siyabi, Section Head - Marketing & Business Development at SEZAD, the lunchtime session was led by Auf al Aufi, Talent Management Section Head at Development Bank. His focus, how to build teams that are not only resilient, but able to adapt quickly, work with purpose and see opportunity in change. 'The most successful organizations are those that understand talent is not a fixed asset, it's a living, evolving capability,' said Al Aufi. 'We spoke Tuesday about developing leaders who are comfortable with ambiguity and teams that can adapt quickly without losing focus. That means investing in skills, culture and the systems that allow people to work at their best.' The case for such investment is clear. Gallup's State of the Global Workplace 2024 report found that only 21% of employees worldwide are actively engaged at work, with disengagement costing the global economy US$8.8 trillion a year - around 9% of GDP. The Society for Human Resource Management estimates that replacing an employee can cost up to twice their annual salary when recruitment, training, lost productivity and cultural impact are factored in. And with Gallup reporting that more than half of the global workforce is actively seeking new opportunities, retention is no longer an HR side issue, it is a decisive factor in business performance. Tuesday's discussion moved beyond traditional HR fixes. It explored the full employee journey, from thoughtful onboarding that embeds organisational purpose, to career paths built on fairness, inclusion and wellbeing. Participants examined how development opportunities can be made transparent and how to create workplaces people actively choose to stay in, contribute to and innovate from. The conversation also drew a line back to last week's session on AI and automation. As technology reshapes skills needs, the consensus was clear - successful AI strategies go hand in hand with equally ambitious people strategies – reskilling, continuous learning and leaders ready to guide teams through transformation. For Al Siyabi, the link between talent and competitiveness is obvious. 'Duqm has always been about building for the long-term,' she said. 'These sessions give our tenants the tools and perspective to develop their people with the same care they put into developing their infrastructure. Workforce resilience is not just an HR concern it's a competitiveness concern.' The Duqm Summer Series began on August 5 with Saeed Abul Ghafoor, CEO of Star Drones, leading a session on AI and automation. It continues through August with discussions on global supply chains and workplace culture, each a focused, one-hour exchange designed to give participants practical insights they can put to work immediately. In an era where talent is as valuable as capital, Duqm is positioning itself not just as a logistics and industrial hub, but as a place where organisations invest in the people who will shape their future and the region's contribution to the global economy.


Muscat Daily
4 days ago
- Muscat Daily
SEZAD plants over 11,800 trees in Duqm to boost green spaces
Duqm – The Special Economic Zone Authority at Duqm (SEZAD) has implemented extensive afforestation plans from 2015 to mid-2025, planting 11,812 trees and creating nearly 49,000 sq m of green spaces at a cost of RO 4.4mn. During the preparatory phase (2015–2021), 3,414 trees were planted, 24,760 sq m of green areas were developed, and modern irrigation systems were installed, with many sites connected to treated wastewater networks. The first phase (2021–2025) saw the planting of 8,398 trees, 24,144 sq m of green spaces, and the launch of Duqm's first agricultural nursery to supply thousands of seedlings annually. Key sites include Sultan Qaboos bin Said Street, Airport Street, Sai's commercial district park, and the tourist beach park. SEZAD officials said the initiative improves the local climate, reduces sandstorm effects, and provides recreational spaces, enhancing Duqm's appeal as a sustainable, investment-friendly city. The next phase will expand afforestation projects and irrigation networks to further strengthen its environmental and tourism potential.