Industrial Estates in Oman

In the year 1983, the government of Oman initiated its first Industrial Estate to achieve the objectives of long-term development,

In the year 1983, the government of Oman initiated its first Industrial Estate to achieve the objectives of long-term development, creating a business-friendly environment, provide employment opportunities for the citizens and to exploit the raw materials. Currently, Oman has 9 industrial estates operated by the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (PEIE). The PEIE offers various facilities, packages including land and building for industrial development, hotel accommodation for guests and staff, restaurant and banking facilities, telecommunication, and retail stores.

Benefits of Industrial Estates in Oman

  • 100% foreign share capital
  • A 5-year tax holiday
  • No personal income tax
  • Exemption from custom duties
  • Special loan terms for joint government projects in agriculture fisheries, health and traditional handicrafts, and export credit insurance

Facilities Provided by PEIE in the Industrial Estates of Oman

  • Strategic and eco-friendly locations
  • Well established economic, social, and cultural ties with the Middle-east, Indian sub-continent, Africa, Europe, and the USA
  • Land and buildings available for bespoke industrial development
  • 100% foreign share capital for companies in Knowledge Oasis Muscat
  • Community spirit
  • Excellent telecommunications
  • Close by modern and quality hotel accommodations for visiting clients and staff
  • Restaurant and banking facilities
  • Convenience and retail stores

The PEIE’s main objective by initiating the Industrial Estates is to attract and generate investments, establish Oman as a vibrant business destination, and assist the companies to prosper in the competitive world. The various industrial estates in Oman are as follows:

1. Rusayl Industrial Estate

It is situated 45 km from Muscat and was established in the year 1983 as Oman’s flagship Industrial Estate. Rusayl provides its tenants with first-class facilities, these include, factory and office space, electricity, water, gas, sewage treatment, housing, internal and external road network, banks, clinics, etc. Rusayl is also home to offices of the Customs Department and Royal Oman Police.

2. Sohar Industrial Estate

Sohar Industrial Estate was established in November 1992 and is ideally located midway between Muscat and Dubai. Also called as the Oman’s garden city, Sohar Industrial Estate offers tenants easy access to domestic as well as international markets. The estate is home to 60 businesses, 35 units under construction and a further 55 are expected to come on stream in the near future. The production on the estate includes: marble, paper recycling, foodstuffs, detergents, leather, furniture, toothpaste, beverages, ice cream, resins, glass, steel bars, and engine oil.

3. Raysut Industrial Estate

It was established in the year 1992 and is located in the southern region of Dhofar. This industrial estate is strategically located near Port Salalah. With plans to establish a free zone adjacent to the port, there is the potential to make Salalah a major air-sea cargo hub and centre for industrial development. The government is also expanding the estate and has begun to supply the area with subsidized gas. Raysut Industrial Estate is home to manufacturers producing a range of products, such as: school stationery, box files, ice, fish processing, frozen chickens, PVC pipes, steel fabrication, medical supplies, solar heaters, flour, fertilizer and vegetable oil.

4. Sur Industrial Estate

This Industrial Estate is situated in Al Sharqia region which is 300 km from Muscat. The estate was established in the year 1999 and its major tenants include Oman LNG, the National Gas Company, and Oman India Fertilizer Company (OIFC). Given the nature and international stature of the estate’s key tenants, Sur is rapidly developing expertise and competitive advantage in the area of natural gas and its associated industries and services.

5. Nizwa Industrial Estate

It was inaugurated in the year 1994 and is located 180 km away from Muscat. This industrial estate plays a pivotal role in accelerating industrial development in Oman. The estate is home to manufacturers producing: ceramics, plastics, medical products, plywood, tea packaging, mineral water, water tanks, ferrous casting, oil services and foodstuffs.

6. Buraimi Industrial Estate

Buraimi Industrial Estate was established in the year 1998 and is located in the Al-Dhahira government in the western part of the Sultanate and occupies a strategic business location on the border with the UAE. It offers tremendous opportunities to tenants wishing to exploit either domestic or/and emerging B-2-C and B-2-B markets particularly in the Gulf region and Central Asia.

7. Al-Mazunah Industrial Estate

Al-Mazunah Industrial Estate commenced its operations in the year 1999 and is located in Oman’s southern region of Dhofar near the Yemen border. Al-Mazunah offers excellent opportunities to those wishing to trade goods through Oman and Yemen and/or locate warehouse facilities. Yemeni employees can work in the zone without a visa, and workers can cross into the estate without the usual border procedures.

8. Smail Industrial Estate

Smail Industrial Estate is located in the Wilayat of Smail in Al Dakhiliyah governorate, about 45 km away from Muscat International Airport. It was established in the year 2010 and significant efforts are being made by the management of the PEIE to accelerate the implementation of the infrastructure projects from this Industrial Estate.

9. Knowledge Oasis Muscat (KOM)

Inaugurated in the year 2003, KOM is the Sultanate of Oman’s flagship technology park. The KOM is committed to creating an environment in which budding entrepreneurs, small and medium-sized enterprises and established multi-nationals can coexist, innovate and flourish within a Middle East setting.

With the help of Industrial Estates, PEIE seeks to achieve a number of strategic goals and developmental infrastructure for attracting foreign investments to the Sultanate. It also seeks to create new employment opportunities, encourage exports and develop international trade, establish export-based industries and activate the economic sectors in the sultanate, such as transport, banking and tourism. The future of Oman’s economy is strengthened due to the establishment of the Industrial Estates.