Muscat – The Al Mazunah Free Zone has attracted 13 new projects this year, with total investments of RO420,000. This brings the overall investment in the zone to more than RO140mn by the end of October.

Ahmed bin Khamis al Kasbi, Director General of the Al Mazunah Free Zone, said that 144 lease agreements have been signed so far, covering industrial, service and commercial activities. He added that the management is focusing on attracting more industrial investments to ensure steady growth in the zone.

In a statement to the Oman News Agency, Kasbi said preparations are nearly complete for starting operations at the new animal quarantine facility, in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources. He also noted that 80% of the water desalination plant project has been completed and the facility is expected to start operating before the end of this year, helping to improve local infrastructure.

Kasbi mentioned that some lease agreements were reviewed and cancelled this year because their holders did not meet the approved implementation schedules. He said the zone recorded a 21.7% rise in the volume of goods imported and exported during the first nine months of this year, compared to the same period last year. The total volume of goods handled reached over 228,500 tonnes.

He added that the zone has issued a tender for managing and operating a duty-free market, inviting specialised companies to provide services and direct sales for travellers crossing the border between Oman and Yemen.

Kasbi highlighted the importance of the new Free Zones Law, issued under Royal Decree No. 38/2025, in supporting development and growth by improving the business environment and advancing the goals of Oman Vision 2040. He explained that the new law offers a unified legal framework and an integrated regulatory system for all special economic and free zones in Oman. It also helps strengthen coordination between the Al Mazunah Free Zone and other economic zones across the country.