BUSINESS REPORTER
MUSCAT, FEB 24
Eng Ahmed bin Hassan al Dheeb, Deputy Chairman of the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ), led a high-level of Omani officials on a visit to Jordan over the weekend.
Al Dheeb was accompanied by Yaqoub bin Badr al Ruqayshi, Deputy Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and Hilal bin Mubarak al Rashidi from OPAZ’s Investment Development Sector. The delegation met with Nayef Hamidi al Fayez, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority.
This visit comes within the framework of ongoing efforts spearheaded by Qais bin Mohammed al-Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, to build on cooperative ties between the two organisations. In addition to discussing investment and commercial matters, the meeting covered environmental activities, port systems, logistics, renewable energy projects, and green industries. It also focused on economic and investment cooperation between the two brotherly countries.
Al Dheeb shared details about the volume of investments in industrial cities, free zones, and special economic zones, as well as the area allotted for artificial intelligence and renewable energy sectors in the SEZ at Duqm (SEZAD). In addition, he shed light on initiatives related to modern industries, mining, gypsum, pharmaceutical, medical, and petrochemical sectors, as well as projects involving the generation of green hydrogen and its derivatives in collaboration with global multinational corporations.
A presentation was also made on Al Rawdha SEZ which is coming up in the Wilayat of Mahdah in Al Buraimi Governorate, as well as the new integrated economic zone on the Saudi Arabian border. The two zones feature land ports that will make it easier for goods to be moved between different countries. These zones will be integrated with the existing free zones in Salalah, Suhar, Al Mazyuna, Muscat International Airport, Duqm Port, and the ports of Salalah and Sohar which are proposed to be linked by rail with the Arab Gulf countries.
The Omani guests visited Aqaba Development Corporation, the Aqaba Authority's investment branch, Aqaba Company for Ports Operation and Management, the Ayla project, various tourism initiatives on the southern shore, and a number of industrial projects and cities in the Aqaba region.
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