JEDDAH: Investment in Oman’s special economic zones, free zones and industrial cities rose 6.8 percent in 2025, reaching 1.4 billion Omani rials ($3.64 billion), official data showed. 

The figure raises the total committed investment under the supervision of the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones, known as OPAZ, to 22.4 billion rials, the Oman News Agency reported. 

This increase underscores the central role of the zones in Oman’s Vision 2040 strategy to diversify the economy, drive growth, create jobs and expand the private sector. 

The authority said 325 investment agreements were signed across sectors during the year, with additional land allocated for industrial projects in several zones. 

“Development is ongoing in the Al-Dhahira Special Economic Zone, the Al-Rawdah Economic Zone, and the Muscat International Airport Free Zone, alongside four new industrial cities in Al-Mudhaibi, Al Suwaiq, Thumrait and Madha to accommodate diverse industrial activities, enhance local manufacturing, and create additional job opportunities for Omani youth,” the ONA report stated. 

Qais bin Mohammed Al-Yousuf, chairman of OPAZ, emphasized the authority’s commitment to fostering a competitive and attractive investment environment that supports economic diversification and financial sustainability. 

He said the authority’s strategy focuses on positioning special economic zones, free zones and industrial cities as preferred investment destinations through business-friendly regulations, targeted incentives and maximizing value added by projects. 

Al Yousuf added that these zones have established themselves as integrated economic platforms that support diversification, enhance investment attractiveness and maximize the benefits of free trade agreements and comprehensive economic partnerships. 

OPAZ expanded its international outreach in 2025 by joining the World Free Zones Organization, a move aimed at aligning local zones with global standards and attracting cross-border investment. 

The authority is developing specialized clusters including an integrated cold chain hub in Duqm, an aluminum cluster in Sohar Industrial City and a mining cluster in Shaleem, as well as a proposed silica and mining complex in the Duqm Special Economic Zone. 

Ahmed bin Hassan Al-Theeb, deputy chairman of OPAZ, said that 2025 witnessed numerous achievements across the authority’s key focus areas, including planning and development; regulation and supervision; facilitation and aftercare services; marketing and investment attraction; operations and business acceleration; and institutional excellence. 

He further said that the authority increased foreign investment outreach, contacting over 500 companies in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, food, and sustainable construction, as well as services, logistics, storage, and renewable energy technologies. 

A new digital project-tracking system registered 294 investments across sectors including renewables, petrochemicals, fisheries and minerals by year-end, he added. 

The zones created 4,467 jobs for Omanis in 2025, exceeding the 2,500 target and raising total national employment in the network to 30,780 out of about 85,000 workers. Omanization reached 36 percent, with 4,774 small and medium enterprises operating across the zones.