Regions
From The Report: Oman 2015
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The sultanate of Oman is divided into 11 governorates, and as the country pushes ahead with economic diversification goals various regions are being rapidly developed. Duqm Port’s handling capabilities are to be expanded, with plans for an additional 10 km of commercial berths, while at Salalah International Airport a new terminal capable of handling 1m passengers per year is now coming on stream with plans for expansion to 6m passengers per year in the future. Four free trade zones, including ones at Salalah and Duqm in Al Wusta, are currently up and running in the sultanate, and these have had a big impact on Oman’s regions with Duqm’s population, for example, expected to reach 100,000 by 2025, up from 5100 in 2008.

This chapter contains interviews with Saeed Khamis Al Zadjali, Acting CEO, Oman Airports Management Company; and Said bin Hamdoon Al Harthy, Undersecretary for Ports and Maritime Affairs, Ministry of Transport and Communications.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Prioritising economic and logistical development across governorates
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From the monsoon-swept south to the scorching, dry hills of the Musandam Peninsula in the north, Oman’s geographical diversity runs in parallel with some divergent levels of economic development, as well as cultural and historical differences. In recognition of this, and of the challenges such diversity brings to the prosperity of the whole country, the government has long undertaken a policy of regional development, investing away from the busy, urban hubs, such as Muscat in the north and Salalah…

Interview

Saeed Khamis Al Zadjali, Acting CEO, Oman Airports Management Company: Interview
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Interview:Saeed Khamis Al Zadjali Where do the new airports play the greatest role in the overall strategy and development of Oman? SAEED KHAMIS AL ZADJALI: A major plank in the Oman government’s Vision 2020 plan is the diversification of the economy away from oil, and the development of inbound tourism is one very important strategy to assist in meeting this objective. Modern, state-of-the-art international airport gateways at Muscat and Salalah, with adequate capacity to meet demand for…

Analysis

Expanding free trade zones to aid the diversification drive
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Free trade zones (FTZs) are a major part of the sultanate’s efforts to drive regional growth and help diversify the economy away from its dependence on the hydrocarbons industry. These zones offer a host of exemptions and incentives for firms locating within them, and give companies the chance to not only serve the domestic market, but also take advantage of the sultanate’s free trade agreements (FTAs) with the wider world. These include an FTA with the US, in force since the beginning of 2009,…

Interview

Said bin Hamdoon Al Harthy, Undersecretary for Ports and Maritime Affairs, Ministry of Transport and Communications: Interview
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Interview:Said bin Hamdoon Al Harthy How is the ministry addressing capacity and operating challenges in the recent port changeover? SAID BIN HAMDOON AL HARTHY: There are still many challenges associated with the changeover from Port Sultan Qaboos in Muscat to Sohar Port, but the long-term benefits will outweigh the short-term costs. For example, transport costs from Sohar to Muscat should be the same or less in the long run, since more major liners will call directly to Port Sohar. The goal…