Muscat – The Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (Madayn) recorded solid growth across all major performance indicators in the first half of 2025, with cumulative investments rising to around RO7.8bn, according to Madayn CEO Dawood bin Salim al Hadabi.

In a press statement, Hadabi said the figure represents a 2% increase compared with the same period in 2024. The total number of projects operating within Madayn’s network of industrial cities and free zones rose by 3% to 2,095, while total contracts increased to 2,385, marking a similar rate of growth.

Leased areas across all industrial estates – including the industrial cities, Knowledge Oasis Muscat, and Al Mazunah Free Zone – expanded to 34.6mn sqm, up 2%, equivalent to 68% of the total developed area of 61.6mn sqm.

During the first six months of 2025, Madayn received 215 new investment applications and signed 124 new contracts worth more than RO80mn, covering over 895,000 sqm, Hadabi noted.

Progress under 10^th Five-Year Plan

The Madayn CEO highlighted that several major strategic projects were executed under the Tenth Five-Year Development Plan (2021–2025), aimed at enhancing the investment environment and strengthening sustainability across Oman’s governorates.

Key achievements included the development of Phase 1 of Ibri Industrial City on a 3mn sqm site; infrastructure works for Mahas Industrial City spanning 1.4mn sqm; and consultancy and design services for new Madayn Entrepreneurial Complexes in Al Rusayl, Nizwa, Mahas, Al Suwaiq, and Madha. Phase 7 of Suhar Industrial City also saw substantial infrastructure development covering more than 8.5mn sqm.

Hadabi noted that the Tenth Five-Year Development Plan period marked a major institutional and technological transformation for Madayn. Through its adoption of the EFQM Excellence Model, Madayn attained Level 2 recognition from the European Foundation for Quality Management.

Several digital platforms were launched, including the IFS Cloud ERP system, ESRI ArcGIS, the Masar eServices portal, internal service channels, the Durbah eLearning platform, and a redesigned official website. These initiatives, he said, enhanced operational efficiency and strengthened system security and reliability.

Strategic priorities for 2026–2030

Looking ahead, Madayn is finalising its roadmap for the 11^th Five-Year Development Plan (2026–2030), aligned with Oman Vision 2040. Hadabi said the forthcoming plan positions Madayn as a national enabler supporting competitive economic growth, sustainable production, and governorate development.

“The plan reflects Madayn’s role in linking sustainable economic growth with responsible production, and aligns with the priorities of Oman Vision 2040, including the development of governorates and sustainable cities; private sector, investment, and international cooperation; economic diversification and fiscal sustainability; labour market and employment; and leadership and management,” he added.

The initial plan, he said, includes a total of 98 projects across three strategic tracks: 51 projects in development and operations, 36 in institutional excellence, and 11 in environmental sustainability.

Major projects planned for the next five-year period include the development of Phase 1 of Al Mudhaibi Industrial City (2.5mn sqm), Phase 1 of Al Suwaiq Industrial City (5mn sqm), infrastructure for Madha Industrial City (over 348,000 sqm), and rehabilitation works for Al Wadi Al Kabir Industrial City. Suhar Industrial City will undergo substantial infrastructure upgrades across Phases 1–6, along with marine berth development in Sur Industrial City and water network expansion in Raysut Industrial City.

New economic clusters

As part of its efforts to maximise national resources and attract high-value local and foreign investments, Madayn is developing integrated economic clusters designed to accelerate economic diversification.

Hadabi said Madayn has completed consultancy work for the Integrated Mining Economic Cluster in the Shaleem area, including a detailed masterplan covering around 30mn sqm and designs for a 10mn sqm zone dedicated to oil, gas, and mining industries. The project also includes full infrastructure and economic feasibility studies.

Madayn has also initiated work on an Integrated Aluminium Economic Cluster in Suhar Industrial City, completing its implementation framework and appointing a consultancy firm to assess downstream aluminium opportunities aimed at boosting local value-added industries.

Meanwhile, the Ladayn Polymer Park in Suhar Industrial City continues to gain momentum, driven by strong regional demand for plastic products. Total investments in the park have reached around RO33.7mn, with more than 181,000 sqm leased to 19 projects at various stages of development.