LOCALS FEAR A LOSS OF CULTURE AS SMALL TOWN MEETS BIG INVESTORS
▶ Omanis in Duqm say opportunities brought by its free trade zone status bring risks, writes Saleh Al Shaibany
Fardan Al Jabri and his twin Hamood load their nylon net into their boat as they prepare for another day’s work, but both stop when they see a huge fishing trawler sailing past less than a kilometre from the beach.
The brothers, 48, look loathingly at the vessel and make obscene gestures. Half a dozen other fishermen on the beach share the same feeling.
“These Chinese will soon take over everything in Duqm,” Fardan tells The National. “More than half of the businesses in this town will soon be owned by them and now they are on the sea, taking away our livelihood.
“My brother and I have been fishermen for 25 years, as was our father before us and his father. Our livelihood is at threat because we cannot compete with boats that size.”
The feeling of being driven out of business is shared by many locals. Other tradesmen who consider themselves under threat from the Chinese include carpet weavers, silver craftsmen, carpenters and those selling herbal medicine.
Residents say there will soon be too many Chinese in Duqm, a town of 11,700 people but huge industrial potential, thanks to the Omani government’s marketing of the town as a major Middle East freetrade zone.
Duqm, snuggled between a lonely patch of desert and beautiful white sandy beaches in central Oman, is a strategic location. Government wooing has led Asian investors to pour billions of dollars into the once sleepy fishing village.
The Chinese lead the way, investing US$10.7 billion (Dh39.3bn) in an industrial park, with the deal sealed last year. It will have a logistics centre, a methanol plant, an oil pipe factory, a property development area and a five-star hotel.
But local dignitaries say the influx of a “foreign element” will damage the area’s character.
“There are already hundreds of Chinese starting up businesses here,” says Sheikh Ghalib Al Gharbi, 51, a tribal leader and Quran schoolteacher. “Once their plants and factories are completed there will be thousands around.
“I have no doubt that in a few years a major potion of Duqm will be turned into a Chinese town, like we see in other countries. It is not good for our heritage and culture.
“It is OK for a big city like Muscat where there are nearly a million people. But if we are going to have 5,000 Chinese plus other foreigners, that is nearly half of our local population. Our culture will be changed beyond recognition.”
Indian investors are also making inroads following the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week to Oman. One joint project under discussion is for a $1.2bn aluminium plant to be built at Duqm.
Iran has also signed a deal with local partners to build a $200 million car factory in Duqm, with construction to start late this year.
Artisans fear the worst. “My family has been weaving carpets for more than a century in this town,” says Salim Al Saadi, a carpet weaver. “Now cheap carpets sold from Chinese establishments may drive us out of business.
“I think Duqm should have stayed what it was – a remote village enjoyed by tourists looking to relax on the beach or camp on its red sand dunes.”
It may be too late for those like Mr Saadi. A vast urbanisation programme consisting of road networks, and construction of more residential areas, offices, educational and health institutions, is under way. It is estimated to attract more than 60,000 people by 2025.
Kuwait Petroleum International has entered into a joint venture with state-run Oman Oil to build a refinery to produce 230,000 barrels a day. The construction will start in July at a cost of $5.65bn. Duqm is already home to a port, airport and ship-repair yard.
Government officials have defended the industrialisation of the town, saying the developments are essential for the economy.
“Duqm is well positioned geographically and our partners in Asia realise how strategically important that is,” Yahya Al Jabri, chairman of the Special Economic Zone Authority Duqm, told an industry symposium in Muscat last month.
“However, our efforts are worldwide and we are encouraged by the interest we have received and the solid commitments from investors to build projects at Duqm.
“We are certain that Duqm will be the main driver of industrial production in the country and a major source of economic diversification as well as employment.”
But Khalfan Al Harbi, 22, who is studying IT at the University of Nizwa, gazes at the site where the Chinese plan will take shape and questions the government’s logic.
“They want to diversify the economy in our hometown but at what price?” Mr Al Harbi says. “The price of erasing and razing down the rich heritage we try so hard to preserve? Why don’t they do that in the cities?”
I have no doubt that in a few years a major portion of Duqm will be turned into a Chinese town. It is not good for our culture
SHEIKH GHALIB AL GHARBI Omani tribal leader