Overview
The Special Economic Zone Authority at Duqm (SEZAD) governs the development and administration of Oman’s flagship special economic zone located along the Arabian Sea coast. Spanning approximately 2,000 square kilometres, the Duqm SEZ is one of the largest special economic zones in the Middle East and represents a cornerstone of Oman’s industrial diversification strategy. SEZAD manages all regulatory, planning, and investment facilitation functions within the zone, operating as a semi-autonomous authority with streamlined decision-making processes. The zone features a deep-water port, dry dock, refinery, industrial estates, tourism areas, and a planned new city to house a growing population of workers and residents.
Key Facts
- Governs a special economic zone spanning approximately 2,000 square kilometres
- Located along the Arabian Sea coast in Al Wusta Governorate
- Features a deep-water port capable of handling large cargo and tanker vessels
- Home to the Duqm Refinery, a joint venture with Kuwait
- Includes industrial, commercial, tourism, and residential zones
- Attracts major Chinese, Indian, and Gulf state investment
- Offers streamlined regulatory framework separate from mainland business regulations
Significance for Vision 2040
SEZAD and the Duqm SEZ represent perhaps the single most ambitious infrastructure investment within Vision 2040’s portfolio. The zone’s strategic location outside the Strait of Hormuz gives it significant geopolitical and logistical advantages for international trade. Duqm’s integrated development model, combining heavy industry, logistics, fisheries, and tourism, provides a template for how Vision 2040 aims to develop new economic centres beyond the Muscat metropolitan area. The zone’s ability to attract billions of dollars in foreign investment demonstrates international confidence in Oman’s reform trajectory. SEZAD’s success in creating a functioning industrial ecosystem from what was previously a small fishing village showcases the transformative potential of strategic planning and sustained investment commitment.