The Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (PEIE) hopes to turn the Nizwa Industrial Estate into a base for businesses that serve the oil and gas sector, especially as the area is at a crossroads which link various regions of the sultanate and is close to the production areas of oil and gas, and raw materials used in many industries, according to Hamad bin Hamoud al Qasabi, director general of the Nizwa Industrial Estate.
He said that the Estate is witnessing remarkable growth and the number of applications for ventures in the area now stands at more than 30, all seeking to benefit from the facilities and incentives provided by the government, represented by PEIE, to this vital and important sector.
These applications will require more than 500,000sq m of land and the management of the Nizwa Industrial Estate is working with respective departments to make available land for expansion.
An initial approval has been obtained from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs and the Ministry of Housing has been approached to complete expansion procedures.
Qasabi said that the PEIE has allocated RO4mn to develop infrastructure and services in the Estate and attract investments. He added that since its establishment in 1994, the area has witnessed a number of expansions, the first of which added about 140,000sq m, and work is underway to complete infrastructure projects for the second and third stages.
He added that the occupation rate at the Estate now stands at 96 per cent in areas allocated for industrial investment. He pointed out that the area attracted more than 70 projects worth over RO230mn, of which many are foreign investments.
Qasabi pointed out that the major industries in Nizwa Industrial Estate include building materials, logistics services for oils sector, metal industries, glass, foodstuff and catering.
He added that the Nizwa Industrial Estate hosts a number of major projects of international oil majors, such as Shlumberger and Weatherford, among others.
The number of Omanis working in the area now stands at 900 out a total of of 2,400 workers. He added that while the Omanisation rate is good in the Nizwa Industrial Estate, work is underway to avail more job opportunities for qualified and trained Omani cadres," Qasabi added.
© Muscat Daily 2012
