Muscat – The OPAZ, at its annual media meeting, reviewed its achievements and projects in various economic, free and industrial zones, and revealed its plans and initiatives within the framework of its efforts to achieve Oman Vision 2040.

Currently, there are 21 total economic, free and industrial zones affiliated to the Authority, including 13 existing zones and 8 other zones under development in various governorates.

Speaking on the occasion, H.E. Dr. Ali bin Masoud Al-Sunaidy, Chairman of OPAZ, explained that there are 8 different new areas under construction or under study, and the integrated economic zone in Al Dhahirah Governorate, which is under planning and construction, will be one of the promising areas.

The total area of the regions have exceeded 2,200 square kilometers, and investment requests exceeded 600; the number of existing projects in all regions affiliated to the Authority reached 3,246 projects, with more than 74,000 workers in the special economic zones and free zones.

 His Excellency further added that the Authority has made several efforts to unify the legislative system, complete the law on special economic zones and free zones. The Authority was also able to reprogram the financing agreements and provide financing coverage for a number of infrastructure projects totaling about OMR 46 million without the need to refer to the state treasury.

He pointed out that the Authority is currently coordinating with the Public Services Regulatory Authority and the Oman Electricity Transmission Company to develop a mechanism for approving renewable energy use certificates for factories operating in the Salalah Free Zone to enable them to export green products.

H.E. Eng. Ahmed bin Hassan Al-Dheeb, Vice President of OPAZ, indicated that OMR 300 million have been allocated for projects in the various areas that the authority supervises its operation and the areas under construction during the coming period.