Thursday 29 / May / 2025
Muscat: The Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (Opaz) and Mahdah Development Company (an Omani-Emirati partnership) signed an agreement to develop and operate the first phase of the Al Rawdha Special Economic Zone in the Wilayat of Mahdah, Al Buraimi Governorate.
The signing ceremony was attended by HH Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence of the United Arab Emirates; along with a number of high-ranking officials and dignitaries from the public and private sectors of both countries.
The agreement was signed on behalf of Opaz by Eng. Ahmed bin Hassan Al Dheeb, Opaz Deputy Chairman, and on behalf of Mahdah Development Company by Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman and CEO of DP World Group.
Under the usufruct agreement, the area allocated to the developer company spans 14 square kilometers in the first phase, with the potential to expand to 25 square kilometres in the second phase, based on the development plan submitted by the company. The agreement is valid for 50 years, and the zone will benefit from its connectivity to both Sohar Port and Jebel Ali Port in Dubai.
The agreement stipulates that the developer will establish public utilities and infrastructure, including roads, water supply networks, sewage systems, and other services. It also includes preparing the master plan, environmental studies, and a preliminary vision for the allocated area.
In the first phase, the developer company intends to target several economic activities, most notably manufacturing industries, logistics, warehousing, pharmaceutical and medical industries, plastics, mining, food industries, security and safety services, as well as providing one-stop-shop services.
The zone will benefit from incentives, exemptions, and facilities such as customs duty exemptions for imports, exports, and goods storage, obtaining all licenses and permits through the one-stop-shop, the freedom to transfer profits abroad without restrictions, 100% foreign ownership, single approval for establishing and operating strategic projects, among other incentives and exemptions.
The Al Rawdha Special Economic Zone project represents a strategic step aimed at leveraging the region’s prime geographical location, enhancing investment opportunities in supply chains, developing re-export hubs between Oman, the UAE, and regional and international markets, promoting lifestyle and economic activities linked to residential and tourism sectors, diversifying economic fields in the Wilayat of Mahdah and Al Buraimi Governorate as a whole, and generating job opportunities and serving small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Eng. Ahmed bin Hassan Al Deeb stated that the Al Rawdha Special Economic Zone is designed to achieve priority developmental objectives, including job creation, attracting knowledge and modern technologies, and providing a business-friendly environment that supports sustainable development—all of which align with Oman’s Vision 2040.
He added that the Al Rawdha Special Economic Zone in Mahdah, Al Buraimi Governorate, enjoys a strategic location between Oman and the UAE and is connected to Sohar and Jebel Ali Ports. This enables logistics providers, manufacturers, and commercial companies to efficiently and competitively access Gulf, Asian, and African markets.
On his turn, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman and CEO of DP World Group, said: “The Al Rawdha Special Economic Zone marks a new chapter in the economic relationship between Oman and the UAE. Through joint collaboration with Opaz and Omani partners, this zone will strengthen our close trade ties and reflect the shared ambition of both sides to achieve sustainable and diversified economic growth.”
He affirmed DP World’s commitment to developing a world-class platform that will provide new growth opportunities, enhance trade connectivity, and deliver sustainable economic value for both Oman and the UAE.
The signing of the agreement to develop and operate the Al Rawdha Special Economic Zone aligns with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040, which focuses on diversifying the national economy, strengthening strategic partnerships, and attracting quality investments.
Eng. Al Deeb announced that construction works outside the Al Rawdha Special Economic Zone will commence next week through a dedicated tender for external roads and protection. He noted that Mahdah Development Company, represented by DP World Group, will announce tenders in the coming period after completing the detailed design work for the project.
He added that there are previous memoranda of understanding signed by DP World and several investors who have expressed interest in investing in the Al Rawdha Special Economic Zone, which will generate job opportunities for SMEs serving the zone. It is expected that the first-phase investments in the zone will reach approximately $2 billion.
Sayyid Dr. Hamad bin Ahmed Al Busaidi, Governor of Al Buraimi, affirmed that the Al Rawdha Special Economic Zone project will bring about an economic transformation in the Wilayat of Mahdah and Al Buraimi Governorate at large by attracting global companies and factories, thereby generating employment opportunities in Mahdah and other wilayats of the governorate.
