BEIJING: Dr Saleh bin Said Masan, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion for Commerce and Industry, carried out a field visit to several leading factories in the People’s Republic of China. The visit forms part of ongoing efforts to attract industrial investment, in line with the Sultanate of Oman’s strategy to develop integrated industrial clusters and shift national industry towards high-value, innovation-driven and technology-based activities.
The tour included a visit to JA Solar, a global leader in solar energy solutions, where Dr Masan met senior executives. The delegation was briefed on the latest technologies in smart solar cell and panel manufacturing and reviewed progress on the company’s factory project at SOHAR Port and Freezone.
The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion had earlier signed a memorandum of understanding with JA Solar to establish an integrated solar cell and module manufacturing plant at SOHAR Port and Freezone, with an estimated investment of about $564 million.
During the visit, Dr Masan confirmed that construction of the plant is advancing according to schedule, reinforcing Oman’s ambition to position itself as a regional hub for clean energy technologies and supporting its commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
The visit also included a stop at the headquarters of BAIC Automotive, where the delegation was introduced to the latest developments in electric and smart vehicles, as well as advanced transportation systems.
Dr Masan outlined to company officials the range of incentives and enablers offered by the Sultanate of Oman to attract investment into the electromechanical and transport sectors.
He affirmed the Ministry’s readiness to provide all required facilities to support the establishment of high-quality industrial projects, including joint ventures for the assembly and manufacture of automotive components. Such initiatives aim to diversify the industrial base and create quality employment opportunities for Omanis in engineering and digital technology, in line with Industrial Strategy 2040.
Concluding the tour, Dr Masan said the visits reflect the Ministry’s focus on a qualitative shift towards technology- and capital-intensive industries.
He noted that integrating renewable energy projects with JA Solar and localising vehicle technologies with BAIC would raise manufacturing’s contribution to GDP and strengthen the competitiveness of national products under the “Made in Oman” brand.
Dr Masan added that the Ministry continues to work on providing an attractive investment environment that supports foreign direct investment flows and enables small and medium-sized enterprises to integrate into the global supply chains of major international companies. — ONA
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