Muscat – Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) is advancing plans to establish new industrial cities as part of its strategy to expand industrial activities, attract investments, enhance the sector’s contribution to the gross domestic product, and create employment opportunities for Omani youth.

In collaboration with the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (Madayn), which manages industrial cities across the sultanate, OPAZ is currently developing multiple industrial areas.

Among them is Mahas Industrial City in the wilayat of Khasab, Musandam governorate, where an agreement for road and infrastructure development was signed in October last year.

Al Mudhaibi Industrial City marked a key milestone with the signing of an agreement to localise its first projects in Q4 2024. The tender for constructing basic infrastructure for its first phase has been floated, inviting participation from Omani and Saudi companies through a consortium.

Significant progress was also made last year in other industrial cities. The consultancy services project for the design and supervision of Thumrait Industrial City in Dhofar governorate was completed, alongside the master plan consultancy for Seeh Al Sarya Industrial City.

Furthermore, the consultancy service contract for the master plan and detailed design of Madha Industrial City (Seih Al Wasat) has also been awarded.

OPAZ has also floated tenders for consultancy services for the design and supervision of Al Suwaiq Industrial City in North Batinah governorate.

Additionally, preparations are underway to issue a consultancy tender for Al Wadi Al Kabir Industrial City in Muscat governorate, while discussions continue with relevant authorities to allocate land for Shinas Industrial City in North Batinah governorate.

The expansion of industrial cities comes amid increasing activity in Oman’s special economic zones and free zones, where the number of industrial licences reached 183 by the end of 2024. Industrial cities accounted for the majority of this growth, with 125 licences issued, representing 68% of the total licences across OPAZ-supervised zones.

This growth highlights the government’s commitment to developing the industrial sector and the incentives provided by OPAZ to attract investment.