70 factories in the strategically located industrial zone
BURAIMI -- Investments on projects in the Buraimi Industrial Zone have reached more than RO 71 million. This was revealed by Abdullah bin Salem al Ka'abi, Director of Buraimi Industrial Zone, adding that the establishment of the zone is part of the efforts made by the Sultanate's government represented by the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (PEIE) to enhance the comprehensive development in all walks of life, especially the industrial sector, and to be a major source for investment by providing a healthy and conducive milieu for investment in the sector.
He added that Al Buraimi Industrial Zone established on an area of more than 4 million square metres is known for its strategic location which is very close to the sea and airports in the Sultanate; only 120 km from Sohar Industrial Port, 300 km from Muscat Governorate, 120 km from the airports and sea ports in UAE as well as its proximity to the Omani and GCC markets. He noted that when the dual carriageway between Sohar and Al Buraimi is completed, it will open new horizons for investment in the zone.
He affirmed that since the establishment of the industrial zone in the Wilayat of Al Buraimi, the industrial sector in the governorate has witnessed a qualitative leap in terms of a number of factories and industrial installations. It also promoted trade, industrial and economic activities in the Al Buraimi Governorate in particular and the Sultanate in general, besides providing employment opportunities for Omani youths and high quality local products for citizens and expatriates at competitive prices.
The number of industrial installations in the zone now stands at 61 producing factories and nine factories under construction. "The zone includes industrial installations specialised in the production of paints, furniture, plastic and cement products such as bricks and interlock tiles, decoration stones, fiberglass products, food items and additives, cosmetics, electrical goods, pharmaceutical items and others. The zone also has a number of warehouses, workshops, spare parts' retail shops, gas distribution and filling companies", he said.
The PEIE seeks to attract investors to the zone by providing them with scores of incentives, facilities and services such as providing land at encouraging prices and a package of infrastructure services in collaboration with respective departments such as electricity, water, telephone, lighting, rain water discharge channels, restaurants, Internet services, a mosque, a bank branch, a post office and a small medical centre.
"The PEIE provides consultancy services to attract investments in certain sectors as required by the local and external markets. It also advises and guides investors to help them select their projects and explain to them how to get the required licences and funds", he said. Abdullah bin Salem al Ka'abi, Director of Buraimi Industrial Zone, said that the zone attaches much importance to Omanisation by providing job seekers with employment opportunities. The number of Omanis working in the zone now stands at 380, making the rate of Omanisation 30 per cent. Omanis occupy different administrative and technical posts at the industrial installations.
Future expansion plans are aimed at attracting more domestic and foreign investments to the industrial sector. The plan also includes marketing the industrial zone inside and outside the Sultanate through seminars, lectures, brochures and stickers. There is also a plan to expand activities in the zone and target specific projects that add value to the zone in general with focus on high tech projects.
Al Ka'abi called on businessmen and traders in Buraimi Governorate and other regions to benefit from the investment opportunities in the zone and set up industries that contribute to the development and growth of the national economy.
© Oman Daily Observer 2010
