Oman’s Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (Madayn) has signed off on infrastructure works for phase one of the Ibri Industrial City, according to a recent announcement.
Located in the Al Dhahirah governorate, the Ibri Industrial City project is aimed at bolstering Oman’s industrial cities across different governorates. It also looks to support the economy, and create jobs for locals in Al Dhahirah.
Announced in 2020, the OMR 9 million (USD 23.4 million) project will span three million square metres, and will be developed over a period of 18 months.
As part of the first phase, Madayn will be investing in several infrastructure development activities at Ibri Industrial City. This includes developing roads, lighting, water and communication, sewage, and landscaping. It also includes electricity networks in coordination with Majan Electricity Company, according to Nasser Al Mabsali. Al Mabsali is the Director General of Ibri Industrial City.
“The strategic location of Ibri Industrial City on the road leading to Saudi Arabia and due to its close proximity to Oman’s oil concession areas,” Al Mabsali said in the statement. “Located about 200 km from Sohar Port and 300 km from Muscat governorate, the industrial city will serve the mining, marble and food investment sectors.”
VARIETY OF INDUSTRIES
The Ibri Industrial City will be home to a number of industries, including oil and gas services, food industries, building materials, warehouses, and showrooms.
Additionally, Al Mabsali noted that the opening of the Rub Al Khali (Empty Quarter) would lead to the movement of goods from Saudi Arabia and the Levant countries. This is likely to boost the warehousing and storage sector, as well as the volume of exports in marble, foodstuff and other sectors, he said.
Al Mabsali added that Madayn will be collaborating with the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Al Dhahirah branch to help contractors and suppliers in the governorate apply for projects and services implemented by Madayn. Moreover, projects will also be assigned Riyada-registered SMEs from the Al Dhahirah governorate.
Earlier this year, Madayn announced that investors could look forward to incentives and privileges related to investment opportunities in Ibri Industrial City. This included an exemption from rental value for two years for all new projects.
Following this, investors would also be eligible for a reduction in the rental value for three years by 50% (for contracts concluded from 2021 to 2024). All other fees listed in Annex no. (1) of the Investment Regulations will also be reduced by 50% for all new projects between 2021 to 2024.
Photo credit: www.hmadayn.om/EN/pages/Ibri.aspx, www.constructionweekonline.com
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