Regions

In recognition of its varied physical, ethnic and cultural landscape, Oman has long been divided into regions, with the government and the sultan keen to achieve a much more equitable and sustainable economic balance between them. Oman’s current long-term development plan includes provisions targeting this goal, as well as plans focused on greater regional authority. Special economic zones (SEZs) are at the heart of this strategy. The city of Sohar is quickly becoming an entrepreneurial centre as it encourages SMEs to locate to its free zone in order to promote sustainable economic growth in the region. Meanwhile, further south, the Port of Duqm is at the heart of the SEZ being established in the sparsely populated central region that is home to Oman’s oil and gas industry. Further south still, the Salalah Free Zone is home to one of the world’s foremost trans-shipment hubs due to its strategic location between key East African, South Asian and Gulf routes. This chapter contains interviews with Yahya bin Said bin Abdullah Al Jabri, Chairman, Special Economic Zone Authority at Duqm; and Sheikh Aimen Al Hosni, CEO, Oman Airports Management Company.