Salalah,
Today, the “Made in Salalah Free Zone” exhibition was inaugurated in the Wilayat of Salalah, held at the Free Zone’s headquarters in celebration of Omani Industry Day, which falls on February 9 each year.
The organization of the exhibition is part of the Salalah Free Zone’s efforts to enhance industrial investments and increase the competitiveness of Omani products by providing advanced infrastructure and a flexible, attractive business environment.
The exhibition featured the participation of 32 specialized industrial companies in the pharmaceutical, food, and petrochemical industries, showcasing their latest products and innovative solutions. This reflects the diversity and innovation in the Omani industrial sector, alongside specialized workshops aimed at developing industrial skills and enhancing quality and productivity standards.
Dr. Ali bin Mohammed Tabook, CEO of the Salalah Free Zone, stated that the zone aims to empower national industries and enhance their capacity to expand into regional and global markets by hosting a group of leading Omani companies in production and manufacturing. He explained that the zone contains 41 existing industrial projects, operating on a leased area exceeding 6.2 million square meters, reflecting the expansion of the industrial sector, which constitutes 60% of the total investments in the area.
He added that the Salalah Free Zone represents a key element in the Omani manufacturing chain by contributing to the transformation of natural resources into value-added industries, thereby enhancing the utilization of national wealth and supporting exports to global markets due to its proximity to resource sources such as natural gas, minerals, and fish. This provides a comprehensive environment for manufacturing industries reliant on local raw materials, which helps develop industrial production and enhance its competitiveness.
He indicated that the total investment volume in the Salalah Free Zone amounts to 4.7 billion Omani Rials, with a compound annual growth rate of 40% over the past five years. He noted that approximately 3,096 employees have been directly attracted, with an annual workforce growth rate of 9% and a nationalization rate of 34%, as part of the zone’s commitment to providing job opportunities for Omani talents.
It is noteworthy that industrial investments in the Salalah Free Zone are concentrated in various sectors, including food industries, logistics services, petrochemicals, and mining. The list of main investors includes diverse nationalities such as India, Mexico, Yemen, in addition to the Sultanate of Oman.
According to data from the National Center for Statistics and Information, the contribution of manufacturing industries to the GDP of the Sultanate of Oman is approximately 10.5%, with a total value exceeding 2.19 billion Omani Rials, reflecting the growing role of this sector in driving economic growth.
