MUSCAT: The Special Economic Zone at Duqm has signed a contract to start producing green energy, a top Omani official has confirmed on Sunday.

Speaking exclusively to The Arabian Stories, Eng. Ahmed bin Hassan Al Dheeb, Deputy Chairman of Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) said the authority is focusing on green hydrogen for future projects.

Highlighting the Authority’s future economic aspirations and plans for 2023, he said: “We are currently focusing on green hydrogen projects – which are considered as promising investment opportunities – as well as projects associated with the production of green hydrogen… We hope that green hydrogen production will expand in the future.”

“We are working on developing incentives for such projects in cooperation with the Ministry of Energy and Minerals so as to integrate such initiatives and avail benefits for all,” he added.

Meanwhile, OPAZ revealed that the volume of investment in all its affiliated zones amounted to OMR 15.2 billion by the end of 2022, with a growth rate of 6%, while the total area of the zones exceeded 2200 square kilometres. At the annual press conference hosted by OPAZ in the presence of Chairman His Excellency Dr. Ali bin Masoud Al Sunaidy, OPAZ also confirmed that the draft law which aims to unify the legislative system for special economic zones and free zones has been completed.

The OPAZ media gathering reviewed 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.