Oman seeks cooperation with S Korea in developing Duqm SEZ

Arriving in South Korea on the second leg of its tour of the Far-east, the Omani delegation headed by Yahya bin Saeed al Jabri, Chairman of the Special Economic Zone Authority of Duqm (SEZAD), visited a number of key institutions, notably the offices of the International Contractors Association of Korea, the Smart Cities Museum in Seoul, and the Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ). The delegation is made up of highlevel officials of SEZAD, the Omani Authority for Investment Promotion and Export Development (Ithraa), Oman Oil Company, Oman Dry-dock Company and Port of Duqm.

During a meeting with the President of the International Contractors Association, Yahya al Jabri discussed opportunities for Korean construction firms to work in the Duqm SEZ. He pointed out that Duqm is in the process of implementing a number of infrastructure projects. Also mushrooming within and around the SEZ are hospitals and other civil infrastructure developments, he said.

The meeting was also attended by Mohammed bin Salim al Harthy, the Sultanate’s Ambassador to the Republic of Korea.

Officials of the International Contractors Association welcomed SEZAD’S invitation and proposed to study contracting opportunities available not only at the SEZ but across Oman as well.

The Korea International Contractors Association is the only national agency to promote overseas construction. Founded in 1976, the Korea International Contractors Association is a business facilitator for Korean contractors overseas. It also seeks to provide information on projects and the global construction market.

The Omani delegation also visited the Smart Cities Museum in Seoul. The guests were briefed on the methodologies adopted by Korean companies working Smart Cities sector and the fields they focus on especially in the fields of water use, waste management, smart energy, transportation and smart houses.

Later, the delegation visited the Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ), located about an hour’s drive from Seoul. Launched in 2003, IFEZ is a hub for financial transactions, robotics and aerospace technology industries. It includes the new Incheon port, an international airport, two universities and a number of schools. The region currently has more than 240,000 inhabitants, which is projected to grow to 540,000 by 2022.

Both sides discussed ideas for cooperation in a number of areas.