HAIMA: Cumulative investment in the Special Economic Zone at Duqm reached about RO 6.3 billion by the end of 2025, strengthening Al Wusta Governorate’s position as a centre for industrial, energy, logistics and fisheries development, officials said.
Shaikh Ahmed bin Musallam al Kathiri, Governor of Al Wusta, said investments were helping localise industries, develop value chains, increase in-country value and create opportunities for small and medium enterprises.
The governorate is also investing in roads, waterfronts, municipal facilities, lighting and other public infrastructure as it seeks to improve living standards and support private-sector growth.
Municipal projects include waterfront developments in Al Duqm, Al Jazir and Mahout, as well as the paving of internal roads in residential and commercial areas. The Duqm municipal slaughterhouse is being built at a cost exceeding RO 243,000, while a central market in the Wilayat of Mahout costs about RO 303,000.
Projects planned for 2027 include walking and fitness tracks, parks, green spaces, village waterfronts and additional lighting and public services. Earlier projects included the development of waterfronts in Haima, Mahout, Shannah, Al Lakbi and Ras Madrakah, as well as Ras Suqrah and Al Jazir Public Park.
Al Kathiri said energy, fisheries, mining and natural resources were among the governorate’s main economic pillars. Fisheries development investments were estimated at RO 611.5 million, including a shrimp-farming project in the Wilayat of Al Jazir valued at RO 462 million and designed for annual production capacity of 220,000 tonnes.
The Simak seafood processing plant in Al Duqm represents an investment of RO 28 million and has annual production capacity of 12,000 tonnes.
Mineral projects include a solar-salt production venture in Mahout targeting annual capacity of two million tonnes. A silica project currently produces about 100,000 tonnes annually, with plans to raise output to 300,000 tonnes within five years.
Al Kathiri said 1,667 Omanis had secured private-sector jobs in the governorate during 2026, while contracts had been awarded to 422 SMEs.
Total investment in fisheries projects across Al Wusta exceeded RO 636.9 million, covering aquaculture, production, processing and other value-added activities. Existing fisheries industries accounted for about RO 79 million of investment and included two seafood canning plants, 18 fish collection, processing and packaging facilities, seven fishmeal and fish-oil plants, two value-added processing plants and 26 ice plants.
Artisanal fisheries production in Al Wusta reached about 246,200 tonnes in 2025, accounting for roughly 34 per cent of the Sultanate of Oman’s total fish production, Al Kathiri said.
Fisheries infrastructure projects include the expansion of Al Lakbi fishing port in Al Jazir, the construction of a fish market and ice plant and a residential complex for fishermen from outside the governorate.
A fishing port in Mahout has also been approved at an estimated cost of RO 36 million, with implementation procedures being finalised. The project is expected to improve fish landing, handling and marketing services and attract related businesses.
Ahmed bin Ali Akaak, Chief Executive Officer of the Special Economic Zone at Duqm, said projects in the zone were generating direct and indirect employment, supporting SMEs and creating new opportunities for local communities.
Recent agreements have reinforced investor interest in Al Duqm. Ten investment and cooperation agreements valued at more than RO 2.9 billion, equivalent to about $7.5 billion, were signed for projects in the zone.
Dr Salim bin Salim al Junaibi, Chairman of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s branch in Al Wusta, said the chamber was working to connect local businesses with opportunities generated by strategic projects in Al Duqm and the governorate’s other wilayats.
He said the branch was promoting opportunities through trade delegations, investment maps, market data, preliminary feasibility studies and specialised forums covering Haima, Al Duqm, Mahout and Al Jazir.
The governorate is also seeking to expand tourism and hospitality investment by developing coastal sites, waterfronts, walking trails and recreational facilities. Investment agreements worth more than RO 30 million were signed during the Al Wusta Governorate Investment Forum.
In education, projects include replacing Khalouf School at a cost exceeding RO 2.539 million and constructing a 10-classroom boys’ wing and supporting facilities at Sarab School for more than RO 651,000. Computer laboratories are being installed at Abu Madabi, Al Shumoukh and Dhahr schools at a cost of RO 82,500, while around 180 interactive screens have been distributed to schools.
Health-sector projects are focused on expanding medical specialities, upgrading diagnostic and treatment services and improving emergency, dialysis, radiology and laboratory facilities. Officials said the investments should reduce the need to transfer patients outside the governorate.
Social-development plans include establishing permanent rehabilitation centres for people with disabilities in Haima and Al Lakbi to replace mobile units, as well as creating service outlets in Al Jazir and Al Duqm.
Al Kathiri said the governorate would continue directing public spending towards projects with measurable economic and social benefits while coordinating infrastructure development with the expansion of Al Duqm and other investment centres. — ONA
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