SEZAD keeps project deadlines while ensuring COVID-19 safety

Muscat: While taking all precautionary measures to combat coronavirus, the Special Economic Zone Authority at Duqm (SEZAD) has also implemented its plan to complete the infrastructure projects for the zone, particularly Duqm Port, according to Yahya bin Said Al Jabri, SEZAD Board Chairman.

The port of Duqm has recorded high rates of completion in various construction packages, he wrote in the editorial of Duqm Economist Magazine (April 2020).

"During April, the liquid and bulk materials berth was received and the completion rate at the commercial berth reached more than 90 per cent”, he added.

He also pointed out that last year, SEZAD received the government berth."

"SEZAD also floated a public bidding early this year for developing, managing and operating the Fishing Harbour, within its keenness to allow the specialised companies to manage this important facility and activate its gains for SEZD in particular and the national economy in general."

The Special Economic Zone Authority at Duqm had announced this month the completion of the liquid and bulk materials berth, while the completion rate in the commercial berth exceeded 90 per cent. The port also includes a government berth that was completed last year



The 4.6 km oil industries berth is located in the area adjacent to the secondary breakwater. It has been prepared to export Duqm refinery products and other petrochemical industries projects that will be exported via the port. The berth is currently witnessing the construction of oil derivative tanks of the Duqm Refinery project.

The commercial berth is located along the main breakwater and it contained 4 stations, including two container terminals with a length of about 1,600 metres to handle 3.5 million standard containers annually, a station for dry bulk materials with a capacity of 5 million metric tonnes annually, and a multi-use plant with a capacity of 800 thousand metric tonnes annually. 37 various buildings have been established, as well as a port operation area of one million square metres.

The authority handed over the completed parts of the commercial berth to Duqm Port Company, which is responsible for unloading and loading various goods and equipment.

The port received during this year many giant cargo ships and battleships that docked on the commercial pier, most notably the shipments of the Duqm Refinery project, which included 9 tanks of liquefied petroleum gas and many varied equipment, weights amounted to 1,130 tonnes with a length of 36 metres and a height of 7 metres.

SEZAD Statistics reflect a growing increase in investments in the zone. The volume of investment in the zone reached by the end of 2019, according to the usufruct agreements signed by the authority, $14 billion. The zone has seen in 2020 the signing of a number of new agreements, the most prominent of which is a usufruct agreement to create a business park called "Maysan Square Duqm" that will be built in stages starting next year.

The project consists of 20 buildings that include a commercial complex comprising various shops, restaurants, cafes and offices. Also, Maysan Square Duqm includes usufruct units and others for rent, hotel apartments, a hotel for businessmen, entertainment places, other services and a multi-purpose hall. The total construction area is more than 122 thousand square metres.

The Special Economic Zone of Duqm (SEZD) is one of the main investment zones in the Sultanate of Oman. The zone, established in 2011, is witnessing a good demand from investors thanks to its location, overlooking the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean and near international shipping lines.

The zone is located in the Wilayat of Duqm, about 550 km from Muscat. It occupies an area of 2,000 square kilometres.

The Special Economic Zone Authority at Duqm (SEZAD) offers many incentives to investors that include tax and customs exemptions and up-to-99-year land usufruct, in addition to the facilities and services provided by SEZAD One-Stop Station, which is considered the investment gateway in the zone as it issues various permits for commercial, industrial, tourism and real estate activities and logistics.

The zone includes many facilities that prepare it to attract local and international investments. Among them is Duqm Airport, which connects the zone with the Omani capital, Muscat, and can be operated internationally whenever the Sultanate's authorities deem it necessary.

The zone also includes the multi-purpose port of Duqm, a dry dock for ship repairs and changing its uses from one activity to another, and a number of tourism projects such as the Crowne Plaza Hotel Duqm and the Park Inn Hotel, in addition to the Duqm refinery and many other commercial and industrial projects.