OPAZ awards consultancy tender for first phase of Dhahirah economic zone

Oman's Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) has awarded the tender for consultancy services for designing and supervising the implementation of infrastructural facilities for the first phase of the Integrated Economic Zone at Dhahirah (EZAD).

The tender has been awarded to a consortium consisting of an Omani company and a Saudi company.

The area of the first phase is 20 sqkm. A land port plan will be implemented in the preliminary phase covering 6.5 sqkm, and Asyad Group will be responsible for managing and operating the land port. The remaining land will be developed for future expansions to keep up with the land requirements of all economic sectors.

According to Eng Yahya bin Khamis al Zadjali, planning adviser to the Chairman of OPAZ, the tender works include the detailed design of the infrastructure facilities, the preparation of documents for the tender of the construction works, and the supervision of the implementation of the works, including the completion of the project, operation, and delivery.

The tender also includes supervision of a number of key components such as the land port, roads, electricity and telecommunications networks, water, irrigation and sewage networks, gas network, solid waste management, administrative buildings, and horticulture works.

Zadjali said, “The establishment of EZAD was motivated by several goals, including optimising the advantages of its strategic border location with Saudi Arabia, boosting intra-regional trade between the two nations, bolstering development initiatives and economic diversification, opening up new markets for the Omani economy as well as the Gulf economy, and reaping the benefits of the competitive elements.”

The Integrated Economic Zone at Dhahirah Governorate is located about 20km from the Rub’ al-khali border crossing with Saudi Arabia, and the zone is about 100km away from the Ibri Industrial City project.

The Integrated Economic Zone at Dhahirah will have a leading role in the development of the governorate and enhancing bilateral trade between the sultanate and Saudi Arabia. It is expected that the zone will also play an important role in creating job opportunities for Omanis and attracting Saudi companies to establish their projects in Oman and form economic partnerships in various economic activities.