MUSCAT: Dr Ali Masoud al Sunaidi, Chairman of the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ), underscored the government's unwavering commitment to cultivating an alluring investment landscape that caters to the diverse needs of new investors.
Responding to media queries from Oman Observer, Dr. Al Sunaidi said the Authority has sought additional land to support the growing demand for premium industrial space at Salalah Free Zone and Raysut Industrial City.
"The Salalah Free Zone's strategic positioning, coupled with the advantageous trade agreements forged with our esteemed partners in the Gulf and Arab regions, presents a compelling proposition for forward-thinking industrialists," Dr Al Sunaidi asserted.
He further elaborated on the zoning strategy implemented within the Salalah Free Zone. "The zone is meticulously divided into two distinct sections," he explained. "The first, ideally situated on the coast, caters specifically to industries that necessitate immediate port access. The second section, positioned strategically away from the port, is designated for industries that thrive independently of such proximity."
Dr Al Sunaidi emphasized OPAZ's commitment to ensuring a transparent and merit-based land allocation process. "Our primary focus," he declared, "is to prioritize the allocation of land to demonstrably deserving companies established within Salalah or the broader Dhofar Governorate." He further revealed the establishment of alternative, strategically chosen sites in Thamrait and Al Mazyouna to accommodate the burgeoning needs of the wider industrial community.
Shifting the conversation towards the burgeoning digital economy and the evolving landscape of crypto mining centres, Dr Al Sunaidi alluded to a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion and the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology. This fruitful partnership, he revealed, has yielded the successful implementation of a pioneering digital project in Salalah last year, with an equally transformative project slated for the Sohar Free Zone in the near future.
"These groundbreaking initiatives," Dr. Al Sunaidi elucidated, "are specifically designed to leverage Oman's abundant and competitively priced renewable energy resources, further solidifying the nation's position as a premier destination for forward-thinking investors."
In closing, Dr. Al Sunaidi reiterated the government's commitment to harnessing renewable energy resources in line with its goal to become carbon neutral by 2050. An example of this commitment is evident in the 50 megawatts wind power farm at Harweel area, he added.
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