Investment Opportunities in Oman Economic Free and Industrial Zones Showcased in the Arab Republic of Egypt

The Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) participated in the Oman-Egypt Investment Forum for Real Estate and Tourism Development, held in Cairo, with the participation of officials, business leaders, investors and real estate developers from the Sultanate of Oman and the Arab Republic of Egypt. The forum aimed to strengthen investment cooperation between the two countries and explore opportunities for new partnerships in the real estate development, tourism and industrial sectors.

The OPAZ delegation was headed by H.E. Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef, Chairman of the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones, in the presence of H.E. Ambassador Abdullah bin Nasser Al Rahbi, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to the Arab Republic of Egypt and its Permanent Representative to the League of Arab States. The delegation also included a number of chief executive officers and officials from the special economic zones, free zones and industrial cities overseen by OPAZ, reflecting the diversity of investment opportunities available across these zones in various economic sectors.

OPAZ’s participation comes as part of its ongoing efforts to promote investment opportunities available in the special economic zones, free zones and industrial cities, attract high-quality investments, strengthen direct engagement with Egyptian investors and real estate developers, and explore opportunities for investment partnerships between the two sides.

During the forum, OPAZ showcased investment opportunities available across a number of special economic zones, free zones and industrial cities, with particular focus on the Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD). The presentation highlighted opportunities associated with Duqm’s coastal tourism master plan, which offers promising prospects for developers and investors in real estate development, tourism and hospitality projects, integrated tourism complexes, as well as related services and facilities.

OPAZ also highlighted Duqm’s competitive advantages as one of the Sultanate of Oman’s leading investment destinations, including its vast land area, strategic location and advanced infrastructure, in addition to the range of incentives and facilitation measures available to investors.

In this regard, the Law of Special Economic Zones and Free Zones, promulgated by Royal Decree No. 38/2025, provides a supportive legislative framework for real estate development projects within special economic zones. The Law permits real estate developers to sell units within real estate development projects to non-Omanis on a freehold ownership basis. It also provides for granting non-Omani property owners and their first-degree relatives residency in the Sultanate of Oman, further enhancing the attractiveness of special economic zones to developers and investors in the real estate sector.

Dr. Said bin Khalifa Al Quraini, Director General of Investment Development and Official Spokesperson of OPAZ, stated that the Authority’s participation in the forum forms part of its efforts to attract Egyptian real estate developers to capitalise on investment opportunities available in the zones overseen by OPAZ, particularly the Special Economic Zone at Duqm. He noted that the extensive expertise of Egyptian companies in real estate and tourism development creates significant opportunities for establishing high-quality investment partnerships.

Speaking to the media, he said: “Through this participation, we seek to provide Egyptian investors and developers with a closer understanding of the opportunities offered by the Special Economic Zone at Duqm, particularly within its coastal tourism master plan, and to benefit from the accumulated expertise of Egyptian companies in real estate and tourism development. This will contribute to the establishment of high-quality projects and sustainable investment partnerships that serve the mutual interests of our two brotherly countries.”

The forum also discussed prospects for cooperation between the Omani and Egyptian sides across a number of investment sectors, while facilitating the exchange of expertise and experience in real estate development, urban development and tourism. Discussions also explored opportunities for greater integration and collaboration between companies and investors from both countries.

OPAZ’s participation in the forum comes amid growing economic and investment relations between the Sultanate of Oman and the Arab Republic of Egypt, supported by joint efforts to increase investment and trade, and to transform available opportunities into tangible projects and partnerships that contribute to achieving the economic development objectives of both countries.

As part of the visit programme to the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Omani delegation, headed by H.E. Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef, Chairman of OPAZ, visited the Suez Canal Economic Zone to learn about its experience in developing and managing economic zones and attracting investments, as well as to explore its key existing projects, investment opportunities, and the services and facilitation measures provided to investors.

During the visit, the delegation was briefed on the economic and logistics advantages of the Suez Canal Economic Zone and its role in supporting trade and industrial activities while leveraging the strategic location of the Suez Canal. The two sides also exchanged expertise and experiences and discussed areas of potential cooperation, particularly in economic zone development, attracting high-quality investments, enhancing investor services, and strengthening integration across industrial and logistics sectors.

On the second day of the visit programme, the OPAZ delegation participated in the Oman-Egypt Industrial Forum, with the participation of the Federation of Egyptian Industries, a number of companies operating and investing in the industrial sector, as well as Egyptian investors and business leaders. The forum aimed to strengthen industrial cooperation and explore opportunities for joint partnerships and investments between Omani and Egyptian companies. It also introduced participants to specialised industrial clusters within the economic zones, free zones and industrial cities in the Sultanate of Oman, while exploring opportunities to expand projects and build greater industrial integration between corresponding zones in the two countries.

During the forum, OPAZ showcased the advantages and investment opportunities available in the industrial sector across the special economic zones, free zones and industrial cities under its supervision. These zones provide an attractive investment environment supported by advanced infrastructure and logistics capabilities, alongside a range of incentives, facilitation measures and investor services.

OPAZ also highlighted opportunities across a number of promising industrial sectors and the role of its zones in attracting high-value industries, strengthening value chains and promoting industrial integration. These opportunities provide Egyptian companies and investors with a strong platform to establish industrial projects and strategic partnerships in the Sultanate of Oman.