Oman’s Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) has awarded a contract valued at 13.8 million rials to develop an internal road network within the Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD). The project aims to enhance infrastructure to support the urban and industrial expansion of the zone.
The planned road network is designed to improve access within SEZAD, facilitating the movement of people and goods while bolstering services as development progresses. Salim bin Said Qatan, Director of the Support Services Department at the zone, emphasized that the upgraded infrastructure will address the needs arising from the zone’s growth and enhance the quality of life for residents and businesses in the area.
Connectivity is a key element in the development of economic zones, linking residential, commercial, and industrial sectors and providing access to investment plots. Enhanced transportation routes are expected to enable more efficient movement of raw materials and finished products, supporting both new ventures and the expansion of existing companies within the zone.
Earlier this year, OPAZ issued a tender for the construction of approximately 30.8 kilometers of roads serving seven distinct areas, incorporating residential neighborhoods alongside light and medium industrial zones. The scope of work includes the installation of LED street lighting, construction of drainage channels and culverts for rainwater management, and the implementation of traffic safety measures.
This initiative is part of a broader strategy to align infrastructure development with the ongoing industrial, commercial, and logistics growth in Al Duqm. The improved road network and associated services are intended to facilitate greater utilisation of investment land and strengthen connections between business locations.
The construction and maintenance phases of the road project also offer potential economic opportunities for Omani companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises involved in transport, contracting, and support services.
The Al Duqm road development forms one component of Oman’s wider national road-building program. According to data from the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, ongoing road projects under the ministry’s oversight amount to approximately 1.2 billion rials. These initiatives seek to improve connectivity among governorates, ports, and production hubs, thereby enhancing the country’s logistics and trade network.
The expansion of internal roads in SEZAD is aligned with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040, aiming to increase the zone’s capacity for investment and support a diverse range of economic activities in the region.