Al Mazunah Free Zone convened a coordination meeting on Tuesday with representatives from import and export companies active in the Yemeni market. The session was attended by Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef, Chairman of the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ), and focused on enhancing trade relations and investment flows between Oman and Yemen.
During the meeting, officials reviewed the zone’s current services and facilitation measures, as well as a proposed open market initiative aimed at creating a permanent exhibition space. This initiative would allocate dedicated areas for participating companies to consolidate, showcase, and re-export products to Yemen and other regional markets. The plan includes a six-month pilot phase intended to gather feedback from investors to guide potential adjustments.
Eng Ahmed bin Khamis Al Kasbi, Director-General of Al Mazunah Free Zone, highlighted the zone’s strategic location near the Yemeni border, describing it as an ideal logistics and trade hub for companies engaged in import-export activities. He underscored the goal of encouraging more businesses to establish a permanent presence in the zone to benefit from its competitive advantages.
The meeting also addressed the challenges faced by traders and explored opportunities to improve logistics, streamline procedures, and strengthen cooperation between the government and the private sector. Both sides emphasized the necessity of ongoing coordination to overcome obstacles and promote a more conducive environment for commerce.
Al Yousef noted the importance of such discussions in reinforcing partnerships within the private sector and meeting investor requirements linked to Yemeni market activities. The engagement is part of broader efforts to enhance the zone’s appeal, develop initiatives tailored to leverage its geographic position, and solidify its role as a regional trade and logistics center serving markets in Yemen and beyond.
Al Mazunah Free Zone, overseen by the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (Madayn), functions as a gateway for transit trade between Oman, Yemen, and East Africa. It offers incentives including up to 30 years of tax exemptions, customs duty exemptions, full foreign ownership rights, and no minimum capital requirements under Oman’s company law, positioning itself as a competitive destination for regional and international investment.