Latest news with #OPAZ
Observer
2 days ago
- Business
- Observer
Oman's first mining economic cluster taking shape at Shaleem
MUSCAT: A significant initiative to commercialise the abundant industrial minerals found in Oman's Dhofar Governorate is advancing with the establishment of the Sultanate of Oman's first Integrated Mining Economic Cluster at the Wilayat of Shaleem and Al Hallaniyat Islands on the southeast coast. The project is being spearheaded by the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ), which earlier this week floated a tender inviting qualified consultancy firms to bid for a contract covering the master planning, detailed design and supervision of Phase 1 of the cluster. Bids are due by July 9, 2025. The cluster forms part of the ambitious Shaleem Industrial Minerals Block development — an initiative backed by subsidiaries of the Oman Investment Authority (OIA) in collaboration with the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (Madayn). Shaleem is home to one of the world's largest deposits of gypsum, a non-metallic mineral widely used in plaster, fertiliser and construction materials, as well as in a variety of chemical compounds. The area also hosts massive reserves of limestone, a key raw material for cement, steelmaking, paper production, water treatment and plastics. Equally promising is the vast reserve of dolomite, a highly versatile mineral with critical applications across multiple sectors. Industrially, dolomite serves as a flux in steelmaking, a refractory material and a source of magnesium oxide (MgO). It is also used in the glass and ceramics industries for its calcium and magnesium content. In the construction sector, crushed dolomite is used as aggregate in concrete and road base, while dolomite marble is prized as decorative stone. Agriculturally, it functions as a soil conditioner and fertiliser component, supplying essential nutrients to crops. Environmentally, it is used in water treatment and flue gas desulfurisation, while in animal feed and pharmaceuticals, it serves as a magnesium supplement. These wide-ranging applications underscore dolomite's importance in supporting industrial development, environmental protection and food security. Geological studies by state-owned Minerals Development Oman (MDO) estimate the site contains approximately 960 million tonnes of gypsum (with 97 per cent purity), 1.9 billion tonnes of limestone (99.5 per cent purity) and around 1.3 billion tonnes of dolomite, with a magnesium oxide (MgO) content exceeding 19 per cent. Given these promising estimates, the cluster aims not only to attract investments in downstream value-added industries but also to leverage Shaleem's strategic location on the Arabian Sea to drive large-scale exports of processed mineral products. Integrated economic clusters like the one envisioned at Shaleem are expected to add new momentum to Oman's industrialisation and manufacturing goals. According to the Oman Vision 2040 Implementation Follow-up Unit, 'Integrated economic clusters represent a strategic approach adopted globally to accelerate growth and diversify economies. These clusters comprise interconnected industries and sectors within a specific geographic area, sharing value chains, services and products. They provide a structured framework that optimises resource allocation, fostering collaboration and competitiveness among various entities.' At least four such Integrated Economic Clusters are planned for implementation at key locations across Oman, aimed at harnessing synergies linked to their advantageous geographical position, local natural resources, proximity to overseas export markets; and access to transport and logistics infrastructure. These new hubs are proposed in Najd (Dhofar Governorate), Al Dakhiliyah Governorate, Al Duqm and Suhar, each focused on their respective value propositions around agriculture, tourism, manufacturing and aluminium processing.
Zawya
4 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Oman: Tender floated for commercial hub in EZAD Square
MUSCAT: The Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) announced on Wednesday the launch of a tender for the construction of the administrative and commercial buildings complex in the Economic Zone at Al Dhahirah EZAD Square, IP4. The Authority invited experienced Omani-Saudi consortiums to submit bids via the electronic tendering platform 'Esnad.' The deadline for purchasing tender documents is set for June 26, with a site visit scheduled for June 30. The final date for submitting bids is August 11, 2025. The tender includes the construction of the main square of the Al Dhahirah Integrated Economic Zone, a business centre, an administrative building, a commercial centre, as well as a hotel and a health centre. The scope of work includes the execution of civil works, electrical and mechanical systems, and steel structures for the buildings. It also covers external works such as the construction of internal roads, sewage networks, water and irrigation systems, and landscaping. The total land area allocated for the complex is approximately 50,000 square metres, with the first phase covering a built-up area of around 17,000 square metres and the potential to expand to 38,000 square metres. Eng. Ibrahim Yousuf Al Zadjali, EZAD Project Manager, affirmed that smart city principles have been considered in the design of the facilities. The buildings have also been designed in line with the requirements for obtaining LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) green building certification, which will be implemented by the consortium awarded the tender. Al Dhahirah Integrated Economic Zone is located 20 kilometres from the Empty Quarter border crossing between the Sultanate of Oman and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with a total area of 388 square kilometres.
Observer
4 days ago
- Business
- Observer
Tender floated for commercial hub in EZAD Square
MUSCAT: The Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) announced on Wednesday the launch of a tender for the construction of the administrative and commercial buildings complex in the Economic Zone at Al Dhahirah EZAD Square, IP4. The Authority invited experienced Omani-Saudi consortiums to submit bids via the electronic tendering platform 'Esnad.' The deadline for purchasing tender documents is set for June 26, with a site visit scheduled for June 30. The final date for submitting bids is August 11, 2025. The tender includes the construction of the main square of the Al Dhahirah Integrated Economic Zone, a business centre, an administrative building, a commercial centre, as well as a hotel and a health centre. The scope of work includes the execution of civil works, electrical and mechanical systems, and steel structures for the buildings. It also covers external works such as the construction of internal roads, sewage networks, water and irrigation systems, and landscaping. The total land area allocated for the complex is approximately 50,000 square metres, with the first phase covering a built-up area of around 17,000 square metres and the potential to expand to 38,000 square metres. Eng. Ibrahim Yousuf Al Zadjali, EZAD Project Manager, affirmed that smart city principles have been considered in the design of the facilities. The buildings have also been designed in line with the requirements for obtaining LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) green building certification, which will be implemented by the consortium awarded the tender. Al Dhahirah Integrated Economic Zone is located 20 kilometres from the Empty Quarter border crossing between the Sultanate of Oman and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with a total area of 388 square kilometres.
Observer
4 days ago
- Business
- Observer
Tender floated for administrative, commercial complex in Al Dhahirah Economic Zone
Muscat: The Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) has officially announced a tender for the construction of an administrative and commercial complex within Al Dhahirah Integrated Economic Zone, marking the fourth package of this major development project. The authority has called upon experienced Omani-Saudi consortiums to participate through the "Esnad" electronic tendering platform, setting 26 June as the deadline for purchasing tender documents. A site visit is scheduled for June 30, with August 11 established as the final date for bid submissions. The ambitious project encompasses the development of several key facilities including a central plaza for the economic zone, a business center, administrative buildings, a commercial complex, along with a hotel and health center. The scope of work extends to civil construction, electrical and mechanical works, steel structure implementation for buildings, as well as extensive external works involving internal road networks, sewage systems, water and irrigation infrastructure, and comprehensive landscaping. Spanning approximately 50,000 square metres of land, the complex will initially feature 17,000 square metres of built-up area with potential for expansion up to 38,000 square metres. Eng Ibrahim Yousuf al Zadjali, Project Director for Al Dhahirah Economic Zone Development, confirmed that the design incorporates smart city principles across all facilities and adheres to requirements for obtaining LEED green building certification, which will be implemented by the successful bidding consortium. Strategically located in Al Dhahirah Governorate, just 20 kilometers from the Empty Quarter border crossing between Oman and Saudi Arabia, the integrated economic zone represents a significant cross-border development initiative. The current phase involves developing 6.5 square kilometres of the zone's total 388 square kilometre area.
Muscat Daily
4 days ago
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Tender launched for commercial complex at EZAD Square
Muscat – The Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) announced on Wednesday the launch of a tender for the construction of an administrative and commercial buildings complex in the Economic Zone at Al Dhahirah (EZAD) Square. The authority has invited experienced Omani-Saudi consortiums to submit bids via the electronic tendering platform 'Isnad'. The deadline for purchasing tender documents is June 26, with a site visit scheduled for June 30. The final date for submitting bids is August 11, 2025. The tender includes the development of the main square within the Al Dhahirah Integrated Economic Zone, encompassing a business centre, an administrative building, a commercial centre, as well as a hotel and a health centre. The scope of work comprises the execution of civil works, electrical and mechanical systems, and steel structures for the buildings. It also includes external works such as the construction of internal roads, sewage networks, water and irrigation systems, and landscaping. The total land area allocated for the complex is approximately 50,000 square metres, with the first phase covering a built-up area of around 17,000 square metres, and the potential to expand to 38,000 square metres. Eng Ibrahim Yousuf al Zadjali, Project Manager of EZAD, affirmed that smart city principles have been integrated into the design of the facilities. The buildings have also been designed in accordance with the requirements for obtaining LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) green building certification, which will be implemented by the consortium awarded the tender. The Al Dhahirah Integrated Economic Zone is located 20 kilometres from the Empty Quarter border crossing between Oman and Saudi Arabia, and spans a total area of 388 square kilometres.
