PAVING THE WAY FOR PROGRESS

The management of the Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD) continues to carry out the works of the first phase of the National Road 32, where the completion rate reached 34.5 per cent. The 16-km-long road project starts from the road in front of the Duqm Refinery northwards to the entrance of the Duqm centre southwards.

The works of the first phase of the road include the construction of six traffic lanes, three lanes in each direction with a width about 120 metres, separated by a hardscaped Centre Median, between the two directions with road shoulders on both sides for each direction, in addition to service roads on both sides with a total length of about 23 km and a width of about 7.3 m. The works also include the construction of 4 signalised intersections, one roundabout, and the installation of smart lighting poles (LED) and road signs. The road was designed with high specifications to avoid the accumulation of surface water and flooding, through the construction of 3 major concrete bridges for the wadis in Saay, Jurf, and Dangert.

The project works include all civil works for the building of the road, including excavation, backfilling, laying of base courses, asphalt paving, concrete construction works for transformers, bridges and tunnels required at intersections with secondary roads, in addition to the works of extending service networks and lighting, and other complementary works, landscaping, ground services, and channels for future services.

It is worth mentioning that the second phase of the National Road 32 is being worked on with the same specifications and dimensions of the southern section of the road, which is about 13.8 km long, while the National Road 32 coming from the Wilayat of Mahout towards the Wilayat of Al Duqm is a major thoroughfare for the overall layout of the main road network in SEZAD.

The Wilayat of Al Duqm is undergoing a comprehensive improvement in the areas of public services, infrastructure, entertainment and marketing. The rapid growth in those areas is inspired by ongoing economic and tourism projects, as well as projects that will be implemented in the near future at the Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD).

Like other fast-growing economic hotspots, the Wilayat of Al Duqm boasts a full set of government institutions and commercial establishments, said Adil bin Amer al Yafee, Deputy Wali of Al Duqm.

In particular, the establishment of SEZAD added momentum to the growth of the wilayat and generated many gains that also extended to adjoining wilayats in the Governorate of Al Wusta.

Projects already established in the wilayat include the Port of Duqm, a dry dock, a refinery, an airport and other projects scheduled to be implemented in the next few years, said Al Yafee, noting that the wilayat is being prepared to become a major destination for investors, businessmen and tourists from different countries of the world.

Zayed bin Juma al Junaibi, Member of the Municipal Council in the Wilayat of Al Duqm, said that the wilayat features a comparative advantage and a special investment climate that qualify it to accommodate the largest economic projects of strategic importance, like the Duqm Refinery. He added that existing and upcoming facilities gave a strong motive to upgrade public services and infrastructure in the Wilayat of Al Duqm and other wilayats in the governorate.