Duqm attracts strong investor interest for fisheries projects; increasing depth of harbour

Providing updates on investment projects to be established in the fisheries industry zone in Duqm, H E Yahya bin Said al Jabri, chairman of SEZAD said, “Duqm is witnessing a good interest from investors and there is an acceleration of investment in the region despite the lack of readiness of the fishing harbour.”

In a statement to Oman News Agency, H E Jabri pointed out that as many as three fisheries industry factories have already started production in Duqm and the forth one will be operational during the current year. He said that there are four more factories under construction and 12 companies have signed usufruct agreements with SEZAD to establish specialised factories for sardine, feed, fish oil and fish packaging.

H E Jabri said that the fishing harbour in Duqm is currently witnessing an acceleration in construction activities and is expected to be ready by the end of next year or the beginning of 2021. He announced that SEZAD has decided to increase the depth of the Duqm fishing harbour by ten metres instead of six metres in order to prepare the port to attract large fishing vessels operating on the high seas.

He added that the decision comes in line with the development of commercial fishing in the world. “The depth of the harbour is in line with the requirements of this sector as there are ships equipped for fishing purposes or for the purposes of exporting fish, which need a basin deeper than six metres.”

H E Jabri stressed that SEZAD is working to make the fishing harbour in Duqm one of the regional ports capable of providing the various services needed by large fishing vessels. “The fishing harbour is one of the most important components of the Special Economic Zone in Duqm. The fisheries sector in Duqm is one of the most promising sectors, as the region has a large stock of fish wealth that contributes to the supply of other sectors in the region and the revitalisation of the economic movement.”

He added that SEZAD is working to enable the fishing harbour to carry out commercial operations, but if there is any need to export larger quantities through giant vessels, Port of Duqm will be ready for such operations.