The year 2025 was a fruitful one for Oman, as investment in the Gulf country’s special economic zones (SEZs), free zones and industrial cities rose 6.8%, reaching 1.4 billion Omani rials (USD 3.64 billion) in the process.
According to official data, total committed investment under the supervision of the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) rose to 22.4 billion rials.
This increase underscores the significant role these special zones play in realising Oman’s “Vision 2040” economic diversification strategy. It also firmly positions these facilities as growth drivers for creating jobs and expanding the private sector. A total of 325 investment agreements were signed across sectors during the year, with additional land allocated for industrial projects in several zones.
“Development is ongoing in the Al-Dhahira Special Economic Zone, the Al-Rawdah Economic Zone, and the Muscat International Airport Free Zone, alongside four new industrial cities in Al-Mudhaibi, Al Suwaiq, Thumrait and Madha to accommodate diverse industrial activities, enhance local manufacturing, and create additional job opportunities for Omani youth,” reported the Oman News Agency (ONA).
OPAZ Chairman Qais bin Mohammed Al-Yousuf emphasised the authority’s commitment to fostering a competitive and attractive investment environment that supports economic diversification and financial sustainability. He stated that the organization’s operational strategy currently focuses on positioning special economic zones, free zones and industrial cities as preferred investment destinations through business-friendly regulations, targeted incentives and maximising value added by projects.
While these zones have established themselves as integrated economic platforms that support diversification, enhance investment attractiveness and maximise the benefits of free trade agreements and comprehensive economic partnerships, OPAZ expanded its international outreach in 2025 by joining the World Free Zones Organisation. This move aims to align local zones with global standards and attract cross-border investment.
“The authority is developing specialised clusters including an integrated cold chain hub in Duqm, an aluminium cluster in Sohar Industrial City and a mining cluster in Shaleem, as well as a proposed silica and mining complex in the Duqm Special Economic Zone,” the senior official noted.
Ahmed bin Hassan Al-Theeb, deputy chairman of OPAZ, said that 2025 witnessed numerous achievements across the authority’s key focus areas, including planning and development; regulation and supervision; facilitation and aftercare services; marketing and investment attraction; operations and business acceleration; and institutional excellence. He further stated that the authority increased foreign investment outreach, contacting over 500 companies in sectors like pharmaceuticals, food, sustainable construction, services, logistics, storage, and renewable energy technologies.
“A new digital project-tracking system registered 294 investments across sectors, including renewables, petrochemicals, fisheries and minerals by year-end. The zones created 4,467 jobs for Omanis in 2025, exceeding the 2,500 target and raising total national employment in the network to 30,780 out of about 85,000 workers. Omanization reached 36%, with 4,774 small and medium enterprises operating across the zones,” he concluded.