MUSCAT, OCT 20
The Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) has awarded a RO 13.8 million contract for an internal road network in Al Duqm, expanding infrastructure to support the zone’s urban and industrial growth.
The project is intended to improve access within the Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD), facilitate the movement of people and goods, and strengthen services as development expands.
Salim bin Saeed Qatan, Director of the Support Services Department at the zone, said the road network would address infrastructure requirements arising from the zone’s growth and improve the quality of life in the areas covered.
Road connectivity is central to the development of economic zones, linking residential, commercial and industrial areas and providing access to investment plots.
Better connections can help companies move raw materials and finished products more efficiently, while supporting the establishment of new businesses and the expansion of existing operations.
Earlier this year, OPAZ issued a tender for a 30.8-kilometre road network serving seven development areas, including residential neighbourhoods and a light and medium industries zone.
The planned works included LED street lighting, channels and culverts for rainwater and surface drainage, and traffic safety measures.
The road programme forms part of efforts to coordinate infrastructure provision with Al Duqm’s industrial, commercial and logistics expansion. Access roads and associated services support the use of investment land and connections between business sites.
Construction and subsequent maintenance can also generate opportunities for Omani companies and small and medium-sized enterprises supplying transport, contracting and support services.
The Al Duqm investment comes amid a wider national road-building programme. According to figures published by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, road projects under implementation by the ministry were valued at approximately RO 1.2 billion.
Those projects support connections between governorates, ports and production centres, strengthening the transport network serving trade and logistics.
In Al Duqm, the expansion of internal roads is intended to improve the zone’s capacity to accommodate investment and support a broader range of economic activity under Oman Vision 2040.
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