Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tarik held talks in Muscat on Monday with Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defense in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Sheikh Hamdan conveyed the greetings and best wishes of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to the Sultan and Omani people.
The officials discussed the deep-rooted relations between Oman and the UAE. They also tackled areas of cooperation and partnership in various spheres that serve interest of the two countries’ peoples, reported Oman’s state news agency (ONA).
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed later witnessed the signing of an agreement to develop and operate the first phase of the Al Rawdah Special Economic Zone, located in the Wilayat of Mahadha, Al Buraimi Governorate, Oman, reported the UAE’s state news agency (WAM).
Phase 1 of the project will cover 14 square kilometers, with expansion plans to reach 25 square kilometers in Phase 2. The zone will benefit from direct connectivity to both Jebel Ali Port in Dubai and Omani ports, enhancing cross-border logistics.
Under the agreement, Mahadha Development Company will be responsible for developing the infrastructure and facilities, preparing the masterplan and environmental studies, and designing the initial layout.
The first phase will target a range of economic activities, including manufacturing, logistics, warehousing, pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, plastics, mining, food processing, and security and safety services - all provided through an integrated one-stop-shop service model.
The Al Rawdah project is a strategic initiative that will leverage its geographic location to strengthen supply chains, re-export activity, and logistics connectivity between Oman, the UAE, and international markets.
The zone will serve as a key engine of economic diversification aligned with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and Oman Vision 2040. It aims to attract foreign direct investment (FDI), increase industrial output, and create thousands of jobs as the zone scales over the coming decades.
