Oman launches new EZAD tender: Oman’s Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Freezones (OPAZ) has issued a tender for Omani and Saudi firms interested in the development of dry port facilities and a veterinary quarantine at the economic zone at Al Dhahirah governorate (EZAD), according to a statement. The deadline for submission is 17 April 2025, Oman Observer reports.

The details: The tender includes the implementation of civil, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and structural work for the port. The 4 sq km dry port — to be operated by Oman’s Asyad Group — aims to shorten the transition time of goods shipments from and to Oman via other entry ports. It also aims to streamline the movement of goods between Oman and KSA.

The third in a line of tenders: OPAZ issued a tender back in November for Omani and Saudi firms interested in the development of an infrastructure and utility network for a fishery terminal at Oman’s Duqm port. It also awarded an Omani-Saudi consortium a consultancy tender back in April 2024 to design and supervise infrastructural facilities for the first phase of the zone.

Background: The Saudi Fund for Development inked an agreement back in 2023 to finance the construction of EZAD’s infrastructure for SAR 1.2 bn (c. USD 319.9 mn). Saudi Arabia and Oman previously formed a committee to plan for the development of a new integrated economic zone in Dhahirah over an area of 388 sqkm. The first phase of the zone will cover 20 sqkm and is expected to boost trade with Saudi Arabia.

UPDATES FROM OTHER REGIONAL ZONES-

#1- Saudi’s Northern Borders Province launched industrial, logistical, and infrastructure developments worth a combined SAR 550 mn at Wa’ad Al Shamal’s industrial zone, state news agency SPA reports. The projects — developed by the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (Modon) — include infrastructure developments over an area of 4.3 mn sqm in the province’s industrial zone, 20 ready-made factories with 12 support units, overhead transmission lines and substations, and a 7 km bridge connection to the International Road.

ALSO- The province broke ground on another major phosphate project — dubbed Phosphate 3 — worth SAR 28 bn developed by Ma’aden, which is set to push Saudi’s phosphate production capacity to 9 mn tons per year, up from a combined capacity of 6 mn tons from Phosphate 1 and Phosphate 2.

#2- Egypt breaks ground on electronics manufacturing facility: Chinese electronics and household appliance manufacturer Hisense and UAE’s FBB Tech began construction of their USD 38 mn new electronic devices manufacturing facility in the China-Egypt TEDA trade zone in Ain Sokhna, according to a statement.

The details: The project — first announced in August last year — will span 110k sqm and aims to produce 1 mn units annually. The first phase will include manufacturing TVs, monitors, and audio recorders.

Targeting exports: 70% of the project’s output is set to be exported to Europe and North and East Africa, while the remaining 30% will be allocated to the local market, according to the statement.

China is all in on its TEDA zone: As of September 2024, there were upwards of 160 Chinesecompanies that have established bases in the zone, who have collectively invested around USD 2 bn, Suez Canal Economic Zone Chief Walid Gamal El Din said back in September.

Tags: