Oman’s 2026-2030 Economic Zones Plan: What It Means for Investors and Entrepreneurs
MUSCAT: The Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) has reported positive growth in localising investment projects and maximising the economic impact of the zones under its oversight. This progress is attributed to enhanced institutional integration and the expansion of strategic partnerships.
Last week, OPAZ convened an expanded meeting that included its Board of Directors, executive management, and CEOs of various zones and operating companies. The gathering focused on presenting a comprehensive package of visions, proposals, and initiatives designed to support sustainable growth and improve the competitiveness of these zones.
OPAZ’s five-year strategic plan (2026–2030) aims to foster balanced growth in projects and investments within special economic zones, free zones, and industrial cities, while maximising their economic contributions. This will be achieved through developing and regulating these zones and creating an attractive, sustainable investment environment.
Key aspects of the plan involve delivering integrated solutions such as fully serviced land and strategic infrastructure, developing new zones in approved locations based on economic and urban studies, and prioritising clusters and activities aligned with Oman Vision 2040.
Officials emphasized strengthening the business-friendly regulatory environment, overseeing zone performance, simplifying procedures, and providing integrated investor services with a focus on aftercare to ensure business sustainability and expansion. Marketing is a strategic pillar, with initiatives to reinforce partnerships for integrated promotional campaigns locally and internationally, alongside developing targeted marketing materials to attract investors in priority sectors.
The Board reaffirmed that the plan prioritizes accelerating business operations and stimulating economic growth through strategic initiatives that also aim to generate employment opportunities. Institutional excellence will be enhanced by developing capabilities and systems to support effective strategy implementation.
Efforts are progressing rapidly to activate the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between Oman and India within OPAZ’s zones, focusing on promising sectors including logistics, ports, manufacturing, information technology, and renewable energy. This partnership is expected to boost trade, facilitate partnerships, and support economic diversification.
Zayana bint Mohammed Al Rashdi, OPAZ Board Member, highlighted that these sectors stand to gain significantly from the agreement, which is the largest bilateral trade accord signed by Oman since the Free Trade Agreement with the United States. The meeting underscored the importance of the agreement and the role of operating companies in leveraging its benefits such as enhancing bilateral trade, removing customs barriers, and fostering business collaborations between Oman and India.
Dr. Musallam bin Mahad Qattan, Chairman of Asyad Group, a strategic partner managing key free zones and economic areas under OPAZ, described the meeting as a vital opportunity to review upcoming plans for zone development, investment attraction, project localisation, and youth employment.
Eng. Ahmed bin Ali Akaak, CEO of the Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD), reported that investments in the zone have nearly doubled over recent years, reaching RO 6.4 billion by December 2025 compared to RO 3.6 billion in December 2021. SEZAD’s strategic plan emphasizes creating a sustainable city and business ecosystem, providing reliable business solutions, and supporting local and international investors. The zone has made notable progress in diversifying investments, activating SMEs, and increasing job opportunities for Omani youth. The Omanisation rate in ongoing projects rose to 30.9% by the end of last year from 17.8% in 2021. Currently, SEZAD hosts 492 economic activities and around 2,000 companies from 30 countries, representing 34 nationalities.
Faisal bin Ali Al Balushi, General Manager of Muscat International Airport Free Zone under Asyad Group, stated the zone’s focus on facilitating trade and attracting quality international projects by providing world-class infrastructure, simplified systems, and value-added services. The zone aims to become a fully integrated global logistics hub, leveraging its strategic location to enhance cargo handling, reduce transit times, and improve market access. It benefits from multimodal logistics services across air, sea, and land, supporting increased exports and imports, particularly for goods requiring fast supply chains like pharmaceuticals, food products, and e-commerce.
Eng. Azzan bin Said Al Hasni, Project Director for the Special Economic Zone in Al Rawdha, highlighted its strategic location in Mahdha, Al Buraimi Governorate, about 80 km from Dubai and 125 km from Sohar. This positions the zone as a future export-oriented industrial base and logistics hub, benefiting from proximity to Jebel Ali and Sohar ports. Phase I of land preparation began early this year, with infrastructure projects scheduled to start in the third quarter following upcoming tender awards.
Eng. Ibrahim bin Yousuf Al Zadjali, Project Director for the Special Economic Zone in Al Dhahirah near the Oman-Saudi border, reported that the first phase of construction, including main roads and drainage systems, is over 22% complete and ahead of schedule. Work is underway to tender additional phases covering internal roads and services, with plans for dry port facilities, quarantine services, and administrative complexes progressing.
These coordinated efforts across OPAZ’s zones reflect a committed drive towards economic diversification, infrastructure development, and creating sustainable business environments aligned with Oman’s long-term vision.
Special Analysis by Omanet | Navigate Oman’s Market
The OPAZ’s strategic five-year plan signifies robust growth opportunities for businesses in Oman, emphasizing sustainable investment environments, regulatory enhancements, and sector diversification aligned with Vision 2040. Smart investors should focus on high-potential sectors like logistics, manufacturing, IT, and renewable energy—especially by leveraging the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with India to maximize trade benefits and regional connectivity. However, entrepreneurs must remain agile to navigate evolving infrastructure projects and institutional reforms to ensure long-term success and capitalize on Oman’s expanding free and special economic zones.
