Regions

The sultanate of Oman is divided into 11 governorates, and as the country pushes ahead with economic diversification goals various regions are being rapidly developed. Duqm Port’s handling capabilities are to be expanded, with plans for an additional 10 km of commercial berths, while at Salalah International Airport a new terminal capable of handling 1m passengers per year is now coming on stream with plans for expansion to 6m passengers per year in the future. Four free trade zones, including ones at Salalah and Duqm in Al Wusta, are currently up and running in the sultanate, and these have had a big impact on Oman’s regions with Duqm’s population, for example, expected to reach 100,000 by 2025, up from 5100 in 2008.

This chapter contains interviews with Saeed Khamis Al Zadjali, Acting CEO, Oman Airports Management Company; and Said bin Hamdoon Al Harthy, Undersecretary for Ports and Maritime Affairs, Ministry of Transport and Communications.