Workshop to Promote Investment in the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Industries in Special Economic Zones and Free Zones

The Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) organised a strategic workshop entitled “Promoting and Enabling Investment in the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Industries.” The workshop brought together a select group of key stakeholders from the pharmaceutical and healthcare ecosystem, along with representatives of special economic zones, free zones and industrial cities.

During the workshop, participants discussed several key topics, including exploring major investment opportunities in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries, assessing global incentive models designed to attract pharmaceutical manufacturing, identifying priority investment sectors across pharmaceutical value chains, and examining ways to strengthen cooperation and networking between the industry, government entities and specialised research institutions.

Abdulmajeed bin Abdullah Al Ansari, General Director of the Support Services Sector at OPAZ, stated that the workshop reflects the Authority’s commitment to strengthening the position of special economic zones, free zones and industrial cities as competitive destinations capable of attracting high-quality investment in the pharmaceutical industry.

He noted that integration with strategic partners and major investors represents a fundamental pillar in building a locally based manufacturing ecosystem that is capable of competing globally, strengthening national supply chains and supporting health security.

Al Ansari added that the workshop reviewed a proposal to develop an integrated package of strategic incentives aimed at attracting high-quality investments in pharmaceutical manufacturing and medical technologies, thereby enhancing the Sultanate of Oman’s position as a regional hub for advanced industries.

The proposed incentives include infrastructure support, the provision of a stable regulatory environment, the empowerment of research and development, and the development of national talent. These measures are expected to enhance the competitiveness of the existing pharmaceutical ecosystem, stimulate technology transfer, strengthen pharmaceutical security and generate sustainable added value for the national economy.

He further explained that OPAZ places particular emphasis on aligning investment incentives with international best practices. This includes facilitating compliance with global quality standards, such as Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), the requirements of the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the standards of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

Compliance with these standards will create broader opportunities for pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers to expand and grow within special economic zones and free zones.

The key investment sectors discussed during the workshop included the manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), biological medicines and vaccines, pharmaceutical formulation, medical device manufacturing, contract manufacturing, and pharmaceutical packaging.

The workshop forms part of OPAZ’s efforts to enhance integration among the zones in attracting investment in strategic and high-impact projects. It also aims to explore available opportunities for strengthening the manufacture of pharmaceuticals and medical devices in the Sultanate of Oman, in line with national priorities to enhance health security, diversify the industrial base and develop local pharmaceutical production capabilities.