Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones

What Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones does

OPAZ (Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones) is a government authority established in August 2020 by Royal Decree 105/2020 that consolidates oversight of Oman's special economic zones and free zones under a single regulatory body. Headquartered in Muscat and chaired by H.E. Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef, OPAZ manages a portfolio of eight zones: the Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD), Sohar Free Zone, Salalah Free Zone, Al Mazunah Free Zone, Industrial Estates (MADAYN), Khazaen Economic City, the newly created Economic Zone at Al Dhahirah (388 sq km, established 2025), and the AI Special Zone in Muscat (established 2026). The authority operates with 101-250 employees and is wholly owned by the Sultanate of Oman as a state-directed initiative aligned with Oman Vision 2040.

The authority's core technology stack consists of a One-Stop-Shop electronic services platform (zoneservices.gov.om) handling land selection, business registration, environmental permits, and investor aftercare, supplemented by the OMAP investment mapping platform and the TAJAWOB stakeholder engagement portal. Underlying service offerings include specialized industrial cluster development across renewables, petrochemicals, food, fisheries, minerals, green steel, wind turbine manufacturing, solar cells, and green hydrogen/ammonia. Distribution is delivered via direct enterprise field engagement, physical one-stop-shop offices at each zone, and concession agreements with third-party operators (Asyad for Muscat International Airport Free Zone, Tatweer for Duqm development).

Revenue mechanics derive from three primary streams: land usufruct lease fees from investors, transaction-based service fees for registration and permits, and managed services via concession agreements. The authority does not publish standardized pricing; investment incentives are codified via Royal Decree and include 30+ year tax exemptions, 100% foreign ownership, 100% capital/profit repatriation, and 0% import/re-export duties. By end-2025, cumulative committed investments across OPAZ zones reached RO 22.4 billion (~$58 billion), with RO 1.4 billion in new agreements signed during 2025 across 325 contracts and 4,467 jobs created for Omani nationals. Customer base spans over 500 enterprise investors across large-scale manufacturers, logistics operators, renewable energy developers, SMEs, and tourism operators, including anchor tenants such as Vale, Jindal Steel, ACME Group, GFCL EV Advanced Materials, Hyport, and Meranti Green Steel.

Name

Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones

Legal name

Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones

Website

https://opaz.gov.om

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

OPAZ is a Sultanate of Oman government authority established in 2020 by Royal Decree 105/2020, managing special economic zones and free zones (including Duqm SEZ, Sohar, Salalah, Al Mazunah, Khazaen, MADAYN, Al Dhahirah, and the AI Special Zone) to attract foreign investment and diversify the economy under Oman Vision 2040.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Special Economic Zone Administration

NAICS

Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (925), Facilities Support Services (56121)

SIC

Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744), Non-Operating Establishments (9995)

akta.pro primary industry

Infrastructure Planning, Capital Programs & Project Delivery Offices (PMOs) (BPAIALAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Product Lifecycle, NPI & Industrialization (Design-to-Operate) (BPAHAHAK)

Keywords

• Special economic zones
• Free zone management
• Industrial estates
• Foreign direct investment
• Investment zone administration

Headquarters

HQ city

Muscat

HQ country

Oman

HQ region

Middle East

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Land Usufruct Fees: Revenue from leasing land to investors in economic and free zones through usufruct agreements
2. Service Fees: Fees for various services including business registration, permits, and one-stop-shop services
3. Zone Development and Management: Infrastructure development and zone management services, including concession agreements for third-party operators

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

OPAZ plans, develops, supervises and operates Oman's special economic zones and free zones, allocating industrial land through usufruct agreements and delivering investor services through a unified One Stop Shop. It manages a portfolio of zones — Special Economic Zone at Duqm, Sohar Free Zone, Salalah Free Zone, Al Mazunah Free Zone, Industrial Estates (MADAYN), Khazaen Economic City, Al Dhahirah Economic Zone, and the AI Special Zone in Muscat — supported by digital platforms for registration, permitting and aftercare.

Product overview

OPAZ (Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones) is a government regulatory authority established in August 2020 under Royal Decree 105/2020. It operates a multi-zone portfolio consisting of six core zones: the Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD), Sohar Free Zone, Salalah Free Zone, Al Mazunah Free Zone, Industrial Estates (MADAYN), and Khazaen Economic City. The authority also oversees the newly established Economic Zone at Al Dhahirah and the AI Special Zone in Muscat. The portfolio collectively attracted RO 22.4 billion in cumulative committed investments as of end 2025. OPAZ provides services through a unified One Stop Shop model, supported by digital platforms including the Investors Services Portal, OMAP for investment mapping, and TAJAWOB for stakeholder engagement. Investment incentives include 100% foreign ownership, 30+ years tax exemption, 0% customs duties, and 100% capital repatriation. The authority's zones target sectors including green hydrogen, steel manufacturing, logistics, petrochemicals, renewables, food processing, fisheries, minerals, and tourism, aligned with Oman Vision 2040.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Duqm Economic Forum: Annual economic forum organized by OPAZ focusing on investment opportunities and sustainable development in Duqm
• OMAP
• Experiences Initiative
• Plant a Tree Initiative

Products and services

• Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD) A major special economic zone of approximately 2,000 sq km in Al Wusta Governorate featuring a deep-water port and integrated industrial infrastructure; serves as a hub for green hydrogen, steel, manufacturing, logistics and tourism projects. Attracted $7.5 billion in investment agreements in 2026. Targeted at large-scale industrial investors and project developers.
• Sohar Free Zone A free zone in Al Batinah North Governorate adjacent to the Port of Sohar, offering incentives for industrial, commercial and logistics investments with access to global shipping routes. Targeted at manufacturers, port-based logistics operators and international traders.
• Salalah Free Zone A free zone in Dhofar Governorate near the Port of Salalah supporting investments in food processing, manufacturing, logistics and clean energy sectors with cumulative investments of approximately OMR 4.5 billion. Targeted at manufacturers and clean-energy project developers.
• Al Mazunah Free Zone A free zone near the Oman-Yemen border facilitating cross-border trade and investment between the two countries, offering incentives for various commercial and industrial activities. Targeted at cross-border traders and GCC-facing manufacturers.
• Industrial Estates (MADAYN) Network of integrated industrial estates across multiple locations in Oman providing ready-built industrial infrastructure for manufacturing and industrial investments. Targeted at manufacturing SMEs and industrial tenants.
• Khazaen Economic City An integrated economic city providing business and industrial infrastructure for manufacturing, pharmaceutical and logistics investments, offering land allocation, factory shells and utility services. Targeted at manufacturers, pharmaceutical and logistics operators.
• Economic Zone at Al Dhahirah (EZAD) A 388 sq km special economic zone located near the Rub Al Khali border crossing with Saudi Arabia, developed as a logistics and industrial hub for cross-border GCC trade. Targeted at logistics operators, manufacturers and Saudi-GCC-facing investors.
• AI Special Zone (Muscat) A dedicated artificial intelligence special zone in Muscat Governorate offering tax exemptions and SEZ incentives to AI and technology projects. Targeted at AI companies, technology developers and digital economy investors.
• Investors Services Portal (zoneservices.gov.om) Digital portal providing investors with land allocation, business registration, permit processing, environmental approvals and investment agreement management across all OPAZ-managed zones. Targeted at prospective and current industrial zone investors.
• One Stop Shop Investor Services Unified administrative service center that streamlines business registration, permits, licensing and regulatory approvals for investors across all OPAZ economic and free zones. Targeted at prospective zone tenants and existing investors.
• SME Registration Service Electronic registration service for small and medium enterprises within OPAZ economic zones, providing simplified business setup and access to SME support programs. Targeted at SMEs and entrepreneurs.
• Drone Operations Registration Service Registration and regulatory service for commercial drone operations within OPAZ economic zones as part of the authority's drone experiments initiative. Targeted at drone operators and technology companies.

Quantifiable outcome

• Cumulative investments reached RO 22.4 billion with 6.8% YoY growth
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Integrated Gas Company (IGC)coreTechnology or Integration · 25 June 2026IGC signed agreements under Oman's Spot Gas Market to strengthen flexibility of the national gas system and enhance resource allocation efficiency, supporting industrial development and sustainability objectives.
• Sri Lanka Port of Colombo Special Economic Zone CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 June 2026Discussions between OPAZ and Sri Lanka's Port of Colombo SEZ Commission focused on partnerships in special economic zones, free zones, and industrial cities, including real estate, commercial development, SME expertise exchange, and international best practices to boost investment flows and support economic diversification in both countries.
• Republic of Tatarstan, RussiacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 May 2026OPAZ participated in Kazan International Forum, visited Alabuga SEZ, IT Park, and Innopolis Special Economic Zone to exchange expertise in economic zone management and technical infrastructure.
• UAE - Ministry of Economy and TourismcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 May 2026Cooperation discussions with UAE on economic and investment cooperation in economic zones, free zones, and industrial cities, including participation in 'Made in UAE' conference.
• Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information TechnologycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026Royal Decree No. 50/2026 established AI Special Zone in Muscat Governorate, to be managed by OPAZ Board of Directors in coordination with the Ministry.
• Saudi Economic Cities and Special Zones Authority (ECZA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 April 2026Cooperation on special economic zones, free zones, and industrial cities development, with focus on Al Dhahirah zone near Saudi border as logistics and industrial hub.
• Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (MODON)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 April 2026Cooperation with Saudi MODON on industrial sector development and best practices exchange.
• Majan Gulf InvestmentmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 April 2026MoC signed to structure investment opportunities exceeding OMR 110 million, studying project requirements and allocating suitable spaces for implementation across OPAZ-supervised zones.
• Türkiye (Turkey) - Ministry of Energy and MineralscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 November 2025MoU signed to expand cooperation in mining and critical minerals exploration, encouraging joint investments, data sharing, and experience exchange in mineral exploration as part of broader energy and resource sector collaborations.
• Oman Ministry of Energy and MineralscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 November 2025Ministry organized Fourth Energy and Minerals Forum in Al Duqm to showcase energy projects and investment opportunities, promoting sustainable development aligned with Oman Vision 2040 and Net Zero 2050 goals.
• Al Abrar Real EstatecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 October 2025MoU signed with Tatweer (Oman Company for SEZ Development) to develop a mixed-use destination in Duqm including tourism, residential, commercial facilities, and sustainable industries, aligned with Oman Vision 2040.
• World Free Zones OrganizationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025OPAZ formally joined the World Free Zones Organization, participating in global free zones conferences including in Panama.
• OQ (OQ Group)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023MoC signed in health, safety, security and environment (HSSE) between OPAZ and OQ.
• Asyad GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Concession agreement signed for development, operation and management of Muscat International Airport Free Zone.
• Gulf Organization for Industrial Consulting (GOIC)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023MoU in industrial and economic consulting between OPAZ and GOIC.
• Oman Association for Intellectual PropertyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Cooperation program in intellectual property rights protection.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD): Abu Dhabi's integrated industrial and free zone operating under ZonesCorp, focused on heavy industry, logistics, and manufacturing tenants. Highly comparable to OPAZ's Duqm SEZ in industrial-tenant base, port integration, and sector focus (metals, chemicals, food).
• Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (MODON): Saudi government body managing industrial cities and technology zones, directly comparable to OPAZ/Madayn in managing industrial estates, attracting manufacturers, and offering tax/ownership incentives. Recently signed cooperation MoU with OPAZ.
• Special Economic Zone at Duqm Authority (SEZAD): Predecessor entity to OPAZ that historically managed the Duqm SEZ; now operates as the Duqm zone entity under OPAZ supervision. Useful as a within-portfolio comparable for zone-level operating performance.
• Sohar Port and Freezone: Operator of Sohar Port and adjacent Sohar Free Zone, one of OPAZ's six core zones. Directly comparable as a port-integrated free zone within Oman competing for the same heavy-industrial and logistics tenants in the GCC.
• Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZA): GCC peer free-zone authority focused on attracting FDI in manufacturing, logistics, and services. Same mandate as OPAZ (zone regulation, investor services) and competing for similar GCC tenants in petrochemicals, light manufacturing, and logistics.
• Saudi Economic Cities and Special Zones Authority (ECZA): Oversees Saudi Arabia's special economic zones including KAEC and others. Closest functional peer to OPAZ at the special-economic-zone authority level; actively cooperating with OPAZ on Al Dhahirah cross-border zone near the Saudi border.
• Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (JAFZA): UAE's flagship free zone authority managing Jebel Ali Free Zone, the largest free zone in the Middle East. Directly comparable to OPAZ in mandate (zone regulation, investment attraction, one-stop-shop services) and target customers (international manufacturers, logistics firms seeking GCC entry).

Others

• World Free Zones Organization (World FZO): Industry body connecting free-zone authorities globally; OPAZ joined in 2025. Not a competitor but the closest industry/peer network whose membership defines what OPAZ is benchmarked against.
• Majan Gulf Investment: Omani investment vehicle structuring investment opportunities exceeding OMR 110M across OPAZ-supervised zones. Functions as a lead-investor/developer within OPAZ zones rather than as a competing zone authority.

Regional players

• Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB): National investment promotion agency comparable to OPAZ in mandate to attract FDI into Bahrain, including through free-zone and industrial-area offerings. Regional GCC peer with overlapping investor-target lists.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/OmanOpaz
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCuMqLcSCixwDsHvQCRoDjEw
• Facebookfacebook.com/omanopaz
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/omanopaz
• Instagraminstagram.com/omanopaz

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones