World Future Energy Summit 2012

Muscat, Oman. January 31st 2012: Salalah Free Zone (SFZ) was a  key participant  among the world leading companies who attended the World Future Energy Summit 2012 which took place last week in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

The World Future Energy Summit, with more than 26,000 attendees, is one of the world's foremost annual meetings dedicated to the advancement of future energy efficiency and clean technologies.

The Summit was a key platform for the free zone to launch its plan of becoming a catalyst to attract foreign investment for the development of sustainable energy solutions in the region. Ali Tabouk, Salalah Free Zone's chief commercial officer, said that the event was of high importance to the free zone because it offered the opportunity to engage with international experts and industry pioneers , as well as highlight SFZ's commitment to taking steps towards the implementation of its strategic plan to attract foreign investment for  the development of sustainable energy solutions and industry in the Sultanate .

During the summit, SFZ representatives met with international companies to discuss potential  investment opportunities in green energy, with the idea that SFZ can become the regional hub for the alternative energy industry.  As well as having state of the art facilities  SFZ is centrally located on key global trade routes,  and is well placed to act as an assembly point for both regional and international green products such as wind turbines or solar arrays destined for the GCC, wider Indian Ocean and surrounding  countries such as Africa and India.

Mr. Tabouk commented at the event "Proximity to these global markets, competitive costs on land and labour and Oman's IP protection polices all lend themselves to attracting foreign investment in the development  of alternative and renewable energy solutions. Along with creating a perfect ecosystem for the development of alternative energy in the region, the presence of these investments will contribute to the transfer of power technology into the region and will provide specialised products for renewable energy and environmentally friendly power which will satisfy Oman's need to preserve natural gas reserves for the Sultanates strategic industrial projects." As part of a Government-sponsored plan to diversify the Omani economy, SFZ has aligned its mission and strategy with the economic diversification reform program that aims to reduce the oil sector's contribution to GDP to 9% by 2020.

Mr Tabouk added, "A few  months ago Salalah Free Zone approved the design of its Administrative HQ and Investor Offices building, which has been specifically designed to use only the best -in -class sustainability and functionality standards. This landmark building will be embodiment the free zone's commitment and adherence to Oman's environmentally friendly policies."

The WFES 2012 consisted of a series of conferences, an international exhibition of the world's leading technology and solution providers, roundtable discussions and Industry & Technology Seminars; all seeking to boost energy infrastructure to fuel economic growth whilst facing the global environmental challenges and balancing the need to meet environmental goals and to provide a sustainable future for the world.

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Media Contacts:
Fleishman Hillard:  Salem Al Arrayedh , 
Tel :- +971 44 502609,
salem.alarayedh@fleishmaneurope.com

© Press Release 2012