Royal blessing to support local pharma, biomedical firms

MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik’s blessing of the proposal to establish specialised industrial clusters for pharmaceutical industries and medical devices in the economic zones and free zones aims to enhance national drug security and localise pharmaceutical and biomedical industries.
This took place when His Majesty the Sultan presided over the meeting of the Council of Ministers.
Qais bin Mohammed al Yousef, Chairman of the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ), explained that the proposal to establish specialised industrial clusters for pharmaceutical industries and medical devices in economic zones and free zones comes through cooperation between the Authority, the Ministry of Health, relevant government entities, and operators in the Salalah Free Zone, Raysut Industrial City affiliated with the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates “Madayn”, and Khazaen Economic City.
He said the proposal aims to enhance national drug security, localise pharmaceutical and biomedical industries, and support national efforts aimed at localising pharmaceutical and medical industries while attracting qualitative investments to this vital sector.
Al Yousef added that this direction comes within the framework of building an integrated ecosystem for pharmaceutical industries, medical devices, and medical supplies in special economic zones, free zones, and industrial cities, and making use of their capabilities in terms of advanced infrastructure and a stimulating investment environment, thereby contributing to enhancing the competitiveness of the Sultanate of Oman as a destination for specialised investments in pharmaceutical and medical industries.
He clarified that the first phase includes launching Salalah City for Pharmaceutical and Medical Industries, which represents cooperation and integration between Salalah Free Zone and Raysut Industrial City, with a total area exceeding one million square metres.
Salalah Free Zone is allocating an area of approximately 500,000 square metres for medical and pharmaceutical investments, while Raysut Industrial City is allocating an area exceeding 500,000 square metres for the same sector, providing an integrated industrial domain that benefits from the industrial and logistical capabilities of Dhofar Governorate and contributes to building interconnected value chains serving manufacturers, suppliers, and service providers associated with the sector.
The Chairman of OPAZ pointed out that the first phase also includes establishing a zone for pharmaceutical and medical industries in Khazaen Economic City over an area exceeding 500,000 square metres. Its selection comes based on its strategic location, logistical integration, and proximity to markets and consumption centres, alongside the growth it is witnessing in industrial and pharmaceutical investments.
Al Yousef emphasised that the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones is working with relevant entities, developers, and operators to prepare these clusters to attract specialised local and international companies, and to develop an integrated investment ecosystem supporting manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, and export operations, while providing the appropriate environment for the growth of pharmaceutical and medical industries and associated activities. — ONA
GRAPH POINTS
1. The proposal is being executed through joint efforts between OPAZ, MoH, Salalah Free Zone, Raysut Industrial City, and Khazaen Economic City.
2. The first phase introduces Salalah City for Pharmaceutical and Medical Industries, integrating approximately 500,000 square meters in Salalah Free Zone with over 500,000 square metres in Raysut Industrial City to leverage Dhofar Governorate logistical advantages.
3. Phase one also includes establishing a pharmaceutical and medical industry zone exceeding 500,000 square metres in Khazaen Economic City, selected for its strategic location, logistics integration, and proximity to major markets.