Muscat: The Board of Directors of the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) held its third meeting this year, chaired by Sheikh Dr. Ali Masoud Al Sunaidy, Chairman of the Board. The meeting addressed key initiatives and strategies for the development and management of the economic zones under its jurisdiction.
According to Oman News Agency, the Board discussed the draft Eleventh Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) and approved a mechanism to encourage contractors to use solar panels for generating energy at temporary labor camps and construction setups in the A’Dhahirah Economic Zone project. This initiative aims to replace diesel generators, promoting sustainable energy solutions.
During the meeting, the Board was briefed on the restructuring progress of the “Mubadira” company, affiliated with the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates “Madayn.” Additionally, the action plan for the Industrial Innovation Academy was reviewed, focusing on advancing industrial strategies.
The Board examined the results achieved in 2024 and 2025, emphasizing research and development in production lines for local raw materials, 3D printer assembly and manufacturing, and supporting applied research for local production of industrial molds via 3D printing. These efforts are part of the strategy to bolster specialized factories and innovative projects.
The Board also reviewed compliance procedures in the zones supervised by OPAZ with mandates from the Governance Committee for the Employment Sector. The focus remains on increasing the employment of Omani nationals in factories and specialized fields.
The meeting addressed the success of the “Rabt” platform, which has registered over 1,500 Omani products as inputs for various factories in coordination with the Projects, Tender and Local Content Authority.
Furthermore, the Board discussed the audit committee’s findings, which reports to the Board, and approved referring several observations regarding “Madayn” to the State’s Audit Institution for further examination and action.