
OPAZ releases 40th Edition of Duqm Economic Magazine
This milestone edition features in-depth content, including exclusive interviews, analytical economic reports, and specialised coverage of key agreements, projects, and initiatives that signal the zones' accelerating momentum toward sustainable development and high-value investments.
The magazine opens with full coverage of the landmark agreement to develop and operate the first phase of the Al-Rawda Special Economic Zone, an accord signed between the Sultanate of Oman and the United Arab Emirates, attended by H H Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham al Said and H H Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed al Maktoum.
The editorial – titled An Ambitious Vision for Sustainable Development and Promising Investment – outlines the authority's strategic trajectory in positioning itself as a catalyst for economic transformation, aiming to cultivate globally competitive, investor-friendly economic and free zones and industrial cities in the Sultanate of Oman.
The magazine also highlights the recent decision by Sheikh Dr Ali bin Masoud al Sunaidi, Chairman of the authority, to amend the regulations governing urban planning and building permits in the Duqm Special Economic Zone – an initiative set to strengthen governance and streamline procedures.
This edition features an exclusive interview with H E Dr Hilal bin Ali al Sabti, Minister of Health, who revealed that eight pharmaceutical factories are currently operating within Oman's free zones and industrial cities. He emphasised the ministry's direction in bolstering local pharmaceutical production and reducing reliance on imports.
The publication also offers a detailed review of 2024's key performance indicators across economic and free zones, and presents the findings of a comprehensive study on the governing law of special economic and free zones, highlighting government efforts to unify incentives, integrate legislation, and foster an enhanced investment climate.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Observer
4 days ago
- Observer
OPAZ formally joins World Free Zones Organization
MUSCAT, JULY 31 The Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) has officially announced its membership in the World Free Zones Organization (WFZO), an international non-profit institution dedicated to supporting and developing free and economic zones worldwide. The organization includes more than 1,600 zones and economic institutions from over 140 countries. This membership aligns with the Authority's ongoing efforts to enhance the competitiveness of the special economic zones, free zones, and industrial cities under OPAZ supervision. It also aims to open new horizons for promoting these zones internationally as leading investment destinations known for their flexibility, readiness, and advanced infrastructure, reflecting a strategic direction to strengthen the international presence of Oman's zones. OPAZ's membership aims to create more opportunities for exchanging expertise and adopting best practices alongside leading international partners. It also contributes to improving operational efficiency and developing promotional and marketing tools, thus supporting efforts to attract high-quality investments and projects with substantial added value. Through this international partnership, the Authority seeks to expand its economic network and benefit from global trends in the management and development of special economic zones, free zones, and industrial cities. It is worth noting that the number of active special economic, free, and industrial zones in the Sultanate of Oman has reached 23, with cumulative investment reaching approximately RO 21 billion by the end of 2024.


Times of Oman
5 days ago
- Times of Oman
Oman officially joins World Free Zones Organization
Muscat: The Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) has officially joined the World Free Zones Organization (World FZO), which is dedicated to supporting and developing free and economic zones worldwide. This membership aligns with the Authority's ongoing efforts to enhance the competitiveness of the special economic zones, free zones, and industrial cities under its supervision. It opens new avenues to promote them internationally as leading investment destinations characterized by flexibility, readiness, and advanced infrastructure, reflecting Oman's commitment to strengthening the global presence of its economic zones. By joining the World FZO, the Authority aims to create more opportunities for knowledge exchange and the adoption of best practices with elite international partners. It also seeks to improve operational efficiency, develop promotional and marketing tools, and support efforts to attract high-quality investments and projects with significant added value. Through this international partnership, the Authority intends to expand its economic network and leverage global trends in the management and development of special economic zones, free zones, and industrial cities. It is worth noting that Oman currently operates 23 special economic, free, and industrial zones, with cumulative investments reaching approximately RO 21 billion by the end of 2024. The World Free Zones Organization includes over 1,600 zones and economic institutions from more than 140 countries.


Observer
6 days ago
- Observer
OPAZ named Best Service Outlet in Muscat Governorate for 2024
BUSINESS REPORTER MUSCAT, JULY 29 For the second year in a row, the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) has won the award for Best Service Outlet in Muscat Governorate for the year 2024. The award is conferred upon government entities participating in the Institutional Excellence System, in recognition of the Authority's continuous efforts to enhance service quality and strengthen its position in global competitiveness indicators. Dr Ahmed bin Saif al Ma'amari, Acting Customer Services Manager Department at the Authority, stated: "This honour reflects the Authority's commitment to implementing the standards of the Institutional Excellence System, which is one of the key pillars for achieving the goals of Oman Vision 2040. It also reinforces a culture of continuous improvement in the work environment to ensure the delivery of high-quality and efficient services that meet the expectations of investors and beneficiaries." The selection of the Authority was based on the results of surveys and indicators measuring client satisfaction. OPAZ affirms its ongoing efforts to enhance institutional excellence, adopt best practices in service delivery, and achieve top performance levels through innovation and continuous improvement. OPAZ implements high-efficiency practices to serve investors in the special economic zones, free zones, and industrial cities, including: Integrated service representatives, A one-stop platform for all services, continuous care service for investors, strategic project account supervisors, continuous service improvement, comprehensive approvals for strategic projects, fast and defined timelines for request processing, an interactive communication centre, instant approvals to start projects.