Infrastructure Projects Worth RO 73.9 Million Approved at EZAD: What This Means for Investors and Business Growth in Oman
The Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) has signed agreements with a consortium of Omani and Saudi companies for the development of Packages III and IV of the Economic Zone at Al Dhahirah Governorate (EZAD), with a total investment of RO 73.9 million.
The agreements were signed by Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef, Chairman of OPAZ, on behalf of the authority, while the execution companies were represented by their chairpersons and chief executive officers.
Located near the Oman-Saudi border, the Economic Zone at Al Dhahirah is a collaborative project between Oman and Saudi Arabia. Package III, valued at RO 48.058 million, focuses on developing core infrastructure for the dry port, a veterinary quarantine facility, and related utilities and support facilities. This package will be executed by a consortium of Omani and Saudi firms, including Idex International Engineering and Contracting, Idex Saudi Arabia, Idex Egypt, and Al Sarin International Contracting.
Package IV, with a budget of RO 25.9 million, involves the construction of the administrative and commercial buildings complex along with related facilities. The consortium responsible for this package comprises Oman Shapoorji and Shapoorji Pallonji Saudi Arabia.
Qais Al Yousef highlighted that the EZAD is a key initiative to bolster economic cooperation between Oman and Saudi Arabia. He emphasized the zone’s strategic location near the Empty Quarter border crossing, which provides a competitive advantage, establishing it as a vital trade gateway and a central hub for the exchange of goods and services between the two nations.
In his statement, Al Yousef said the zone was established to promote bilateral trade and facilitate private sector partnerships, improve supply chain logistics, and reduce costs for investors. He underscored the zone’s potential to expand market access for exports from both countries to regional and international markets.
The Package III agreement includes developing Phase I of the dry port on one square kilometre, with the total dry port area planned to cover four square kilometres. It also covers the establishment of a veterinary quarantine facility, internal roads, container yard, customs gate, inspection platforms, customs clearance areas, electrical substations, maintenance workshop, laboratories, water tank, fire-fighting systems, and X-ray and scanning equipment. Additional facilities include an administration building, mosque, offices, rest areas, staff accommodation, security fencing, surveillance cameras, and other essential infrastructure.
Package IV entails constructing a complex of administrative and commercial buildings, including a central plaza, business centre, administrative building, commercial centre, hotel, health centre, and internal roads.
Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Busaidi, Wali of Ibri, described these agreements as a strategic milestone that will accelerate comprehensive economic development in Al Dhahirah Governorate and enhance its role as a promising economic hub and critical border gateway.
The Economic Zone at Al Dhahirah spans 388 square kilometres and is situated about 20 kilometres from the Empty Quarter border crossing between Oman and Saudi Arabia.
تحلیل ویژه از عمانت | بازار عمان را کشف کنید
The development of Packages III and IV at the Economic Zone in Al Dhahirah (EZAD) marks a strategic boost in Oman-Saudi economic cooperation, positioning the zone as a crucial trade gateway that will significantly reduce logistics costs and enhance supply chain efficiencyبرای کسب و کارها در عمان، این امر باعث ایجاد ... opportunities in logistics, trade facilitation, and commercial services, while investors should consider the zone’s potential as a regional hub to capitalize on increased bilateral trade and access regional/global markets more efficiently.
