Al Hasani: "The total investment in the industrial estates pertaining to PEIE amounted to approximately OMR 4.4 billion in 2012"
Keeping in pace with latest developments in regional and global supply and demand dynamics of polyolefins, Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (PEIE) is all set to host the Polyolefin Plastic Arabia Conference on May 27 and 28 at Al Bustan Palace, A Ritz-Carlton Hotel, informed Hilal bin Hamad Al Hasani, Chief Executive Officer of PEIE.
"The conference is expected to gather more than 500 participants representing various local, regional and international organisations related to plastics," Al Hasani said, adding: "Presentations on investment opportunities in Oman and a variety of business topics relevant to today's global plastics industry will also be presented and discussed during the two-day conference. Polyolefin Plastic Arabia will offer a high-quality technical platform related to Polyolefins like SPE's many renowned topical conferences held in North America and Europe. Original, peer-reviewed presentations will be on the spotlight highlighting developments triggered in polyolefin related fields including Global Business Trends in Polyolefin Industry, Sustainability and Recycling of Plastics, New Polyolefin Applications, Advances in Processing for Polyolefins, and Reinforced Polyolefin and Nanotechnology." It should be noted that the conference will be organised in partnership with the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE).
Meanwhile, Al Hasani pointed out that PEIE continues to achieve growth rates soaring in various fields as the total investment in the estates amounted to approximately OMR 4.4 billion in 2012, and the number of projects touched 1,287, from which 184 are under construction and 377 are allotted with lands. Many of these projects are expected to initiate their operations during this year and next year.
News Industrial Estates
Out of the concern to distribute the big projects through the governorates and wilayats of the Sultanate, the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates set, within its future long term policies and programmes (2013-2025), expansion in establishing different industrial estates in various governorates. PEIE is implementing studies to establish new industrial estates in the following governorates (Dhahira - Mussandam - Dhofar - Wusta - Batinah South - Buraimi - Dakhiliyah - Batinah North) noting that implementation priorities shall take on board the population in the area, expansion of overall development of the Sultanate, access to transportation, natural resources and the recommendations of the government to develop certain governorates.
"The Public Establishment for Industrial Estates initiated a long term strategic plan (2013-2025) including the investment programme of the Establishment in line with the comprehensive development plan of the Sultanate (2011-2015). In order to achieve the specific plans and objectives set in the plan, the implementation period was divided into three phases, the first phase (2013-2016), second phase (2017-2020) and the third phase (2021-2025)," Al Hasani stated.
Positive Outcomes
The Public Establishment for Industrial Estates achieved positive results measured by the digital indicators of its investment programme accompanying the 8th Development Plan of the Sultanate (2011-2015) considering the results targeted to be achieved by the end of year 2015. Al Hasani said, "Towards the end of 2012, investments in the estates amounting to OMR 1250 million were attracted. The total investments towards the end of 2010 amounted to OMR 3.2 billion, whereas it reached OMR 4.45 billion by the end of 2012, a growth of 43%.
It was also projected during the five years period (2011-2015) to attract national, Arab and foreign investments of OMR 2.93 billion with a growth percentage of 92% to bring the total accumulated investment to OMR 6.13 billion."
"A total of 536 projects were attracted to invest in the industrial estates of the establishment out of which 153 project in Sumail Industrial Estate. The total number of projects by the end of 2010 was 750 project, and by the end of 2012 the number of projects increased to reach (1,286), an increase by 24% as it was projected to accommodate (2,200) industrial projects during the five years period (2011-2015) with a growth ratio of nearly (293%), bringing the number of accumulated projects in the industrial estates to (2,950)," he added.
Al Hasani noted, "Around (11,664) job opportunity were provided in the existing and new projects. The total number of employees in the industrial estates was (22,000) female and males at the end of 2010 and by the end of 2012 it increased to (33,664), an increase by (18%) of the targeted ratio. It was targeted to provide (65,000) job opportunity from which (42,000) for the national manpower with a growth ratio of nearly (295%), bringing the accumulated job opportunities to (87,000).
Development of Industrial Estates
Talking on projects under implementation planned to be implemented during the period (2013-2015) in the industrial estates pertaining to PEIE, Hilal Al Hasani had this to say, "With regard to Sumail Industrial Estate project, around 20 kilometer of unpaved roads was adjusted and the required designs and drawings were made in preparation to announce the tender which is currently in process by the concerned parties (Tender Board). The actual total area of the estate is 7.4 million square meter and it is expected to provide an area of 5.2 million square meter of lands that can be offered for rent and investment in the different industrial estates and the service projects related or complementing the industrial sector. Besides, the estate targets to attract (345) projects and in fact (140) agreement were signed before commencement of development in the estate,"
He added, "The investment of private sector is expected to touch OMR 200 million, while the investment of the companies which signed agreements with the estate till date is OMR 52 million. Besides, the job opportunities expected to be available in the estate shall be (17,500) and the job opportunities for the projects which already signed agreements is expected to be (7,100)."
Furthermore, development of phase one of Al Mazyounah Free Zone was commenced, which includes the basic services, government services related to sovereign issues. The size of the area to be developed is (1,5) million square meter. On the other hand, work commenced in expanding Raysut Industrial Estate and in order to accommodate the increasing demand for investment in the estate, a tender was offered for expansion of the estate including the provision of all infrastructures required for the expansion that meets the requirements of investors. The contractors started works during the last quarter of 2012.
As for the Knowledge Oasis Muscat, it is planned to be expanded in three phases: phase one of the project shall be construction of a round-up road with all required services and the detailed designs were completed and shall be raised to the Tender Board to finalise the tender offer. As for phases two and three, it is expected to start work on them after completion of phase one in 2015.
On the other hand, PEIE shall, through rehabilitation of the existing estate, expand the Rusayl Industrial Estate by (3) million square meters, in addition to establishing a logistic services area of (400) square meter. A consultant is currently performing the detailed designs of the project.
Besides, in order to meet the increasing investment applications in Sohar Industrial Estate and to provide the requirements of investors and existing projects, PEIE is planning to complete all services for all phases (phase one to phase six) and development is underway for phase seven on an area of (8) million square meter. Besides, a tender is being prepared to appoint the major implementing contractor.
National Business Centre
Since the National Business Centre (NBC) was announced recently, numerous firms vied to submit their business plans and applications to be incubated in this premier platform for developing and supporting Omani entrepreneurs, Al Hasani stated. NBC aims at nurturing and ensuring the success of feasible ideas and IT focused projects and reducing the rate of failure of startups and train the universities and technical colleges graduates on practical applications as required by the market. At the same time, NBC seeks to achieve the national objectives, represented by increasing the efforts focusing on SMEs development by developing tailor made strategies, and encourage major companies to enhance their relations with SMEs by increasing its demand on the products and services of the SMEs. It also aspires to accelerate the Oman Digital strategy, completing the technical hubs and incubators, supporting programming and other IT services and providing the scientific, technical and IT outputs for the stakeholders, researchers, business community and investors, in addition to expanding the availability of new employment opportunities for the national manpower.
Industrial Innovation Centre
Of recent, Industrial Innovation Centre (IIC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Public Authority for Investment Promotion and Export Development (PAIPED) to enhance competitiveness of the Sultanate's manufacturing sector.
The agreement sets forth the provision of activities and services that are directly targeted to meet the needs of Omani non-oil exporters. The MoU will drive collaboration between large and small firms, industry associations, universities, vocational education providers, research institutions and government agencies. IIC's partnership with PAIPED will contribute to the Sultanate's growing manufacturing base, leading to a more competitive and attractive sector, which will eventually generate employment opportunities and attract investment.
Development of Human Resources
Al Hasani stressed that PEIE has carried out a package of high quality programmes and training courses for 1,016 employees through the Human Resources Development Centre during the year 2012 in order to meet the needs and requirements of the human cadres across the industrial estates. The programmes targeted a number of government employees, and other national manpower working in various companies and factories, comprising 348 participants from PEIE, with a rate of 1.4 course(s) per an employee, 119 participants from various government institutions, 35 business owners, and 504 participants from various companies and factories.
IT achievements
In line with efforts undertaken by the IT Department at PEIE in launching and developing programmes, PEIE won the Sultan Qaboos Award for Excellence in E-Government for the Best E-Project Individual for the 'Estate Management System' in 2012. Currently, PEIE is working on developing more than 15 different comprehensive IT-based development programmes.
Marketing
On the role played by PEIE in promoting the various industrial estates to attract local, regional and international investments, PEIE's CEO said, "PEIE has implemented a number of activities and programmes during 2012 including 16 events in the main office and all industrial estates pertaining to PEIE, 19 Omani Products Exhibition, participated in a specialised pavilion dedicated to displaying Omani products at the Small and Medium Enterprises Conference organised by Ministry of Commerce and Industry, organised the Omani Products Fair in Riyadh, KSA, in cooperation with various government entities in Oman, among other events.
© Press Release 2013
