The Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) has awarded contracts worth more than RO 73 million for the third and fourth packages of the Special Economic Zone at A’Dhahirah Governorate, marking a major milestone in the development of the strategic economic zone near the Empty Quarter border crossing between the Sultanate of Oman and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The agreements were signed by Qais Mohammed Al Yousef, Chairman of OPAZ, alongside representatives of the Omani and Saudi executing companies participating in the project.
Under the third package, OPAZ awarded an RO 48.058 million contract to a consortium comprising Edex International Contracting Company, Edex-KSA, Edex Egypt, and Assarain International Contracting Company for the construction of the dry port infrastructure, veterinary quarantine facilities, and associated utilities and support infrastructure.
The scope of work includes the first phase development of the dry port over an area of one square kilometer out of the total planned four square kilometers. The package also covers construction of internal roads, a container yard, customs gate, inspection platforms, customs clearance facilities, electrical substations, maintenance workshops, laboratories, water tanks, firefighting systems, X-ray and scanning facilities, administration buildings, offices, employee accommodation, rest areas, a mosque, perimeter fencing, and surveillance systems.
Meanwhile, the fourth package, valued at RO 25.9 million, was awarded to a joint venture between Oman Shapoorji and Shapoorji Pallonji for the construction of the administrative and commercial buildings complex within the economic zone.
The package includes development of the zone’s public square, business center, administration building, commercial center, hotel, health center, internal roads, and associated infrastructure. The current phase will deliver a total built-up area of approximately 37,300 square meters.
According to OPAZ, the project design incorporates smart city concepts and complies with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) requirements, reflecting the authority’s commitment to sustainability and environmental efficiency standards.
