Mubarak Al-Khiyarin from Qatar Press Centre is being honoured at the event.
Doha, Qatar: The Qatar Press Centre (QPC) participated in the Economic Media Forum hosted by North Al Batinah Governorate in the Sultanate of Oman from January 21 to 22.
The participation came within the framework of highlighting the development and economic transformations taking place in the governorate, particularly in Wilayat Sohar, which is considered one of the Sultanate’s most prominent industrial and logistics hubs.
The Centre was represented at the forum by journalist and economic affairs researcher Mubarak Al-Khiyarin, who presented a working paper on promising investment opportunities in the Sohar Free Zone. Established in 2010, the free zone serves as an attractive platform for industrial and commercial investment, benefiting from an integrated logistics infrastructure and direct connectivity to Sohar Port on the Gulf of Oman, giving it a competitive advantage at both the regional and international levels.
The paper reviewed the competitive incentives offered by the free zone, most notably allowing 100% foreign ownership of projects, corporate tax exemptions for up to 25 years, and customs duty exemptions on import and re-export operations. It also highlighted the simplified procedures enabled by the “one-stop shop” system, which facilitates investment transactions and enhances the efficiency of the business environment, encouraging global companies to enter the Omani market.
The paper emphasised that these policies constitute a strong attraction for both local and foreign private sector investors and contribute to stimulating capital inflows towards productive and export-oriented activities with added value, thereby supporting economic diversification efforts.
It also referred to operational data showing that the Sohar Port and Free Zone ecosystem contributes approximately 2.6% to Oman’s GDP, an indicator of the project’s importance in supporting economic growth beyond the oil sector. This is further reflected in the volume of cargo handled through the port, which exceeds 75 million tonnes annually, in addition to receiving more than 3,000 vessels each year, highlighting the strength of commercial activity and the integrated transport and services network supporting export and import operations.
At the international level, the Sohar Free Zone has received global recognition after being ranked among the top three free zones in the world according to a report by fDi Magazine, affiliated with the UK’s Financial Times.
This ranking reflects the efficiency of its infrastructure, the attractiveness of its regulations, and investor confidence in the sustainability of the project’s performance and its position within global value chains.
The objectives of the Sohar Free Zone align with the pillars of Oman’s Tenth Five-Year Plan (2021–2025), which focuses on enhancing the role of the private sector, diversifying sources of income, and developing economic infrastructure.
