Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman has taken a significant step towards strengthening national pharmaceutical security and localizing pharmaceutical and biomedical industries by approving the plan to establish specialized industrial clusters for pharmaceutical and medical equipment in economic and free zones.
Meeting of the Council of Ministers and Emphasis on Inter-Agency Cooperation
This decision was made during a meeting of the Council of Ministers chaired by Sultan Haitham. Qais Mohammed Al-Yusuf, Chairman of the Special Economic Zones and Free Zones Authority (OPAZ), explained that this plan will be implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, relevant government agencies, and stakeholders in the Salalah Free Zone and the Rusayl Industrial City, which are affiliated with the Industrial Development Organization (Madayn) and the Khazaen Economic City.
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The goal of this plan is to strengthen national pharmaceutical security, localize pharmaceutical and biomedical industries, and support national efforts to attract quality investments to this vital sector.
Creating an Integrated Ecosystem for Pharmaceutical Industries
Al-Yusuf added in his statements to the Oman News Agency (ONA) that this plan is designed to create an integrated ecosystem for pharmaceutical industries, medical equipment, and medical supplies in special economic zones and industrial cities. This plan addresses the use of advanced infrastructure and a stimulating investment environment, contributing to enhancing the competitiveness of the Sultanate of Oman as a destination for specialized investments in pharmaceutical and medical industries.
The first phase of this plan includes the establishment of Salalah City for pharmaceutical and medical industries, which represents collaboration and integration between the Salalah Free Zone and the Rusayl Industrial City, covering an area of over one million square meters.
The Salalah Free Zone allocates approximately 500,000 square meters for medical and pharmaceutical investments, while the Rusayl Industrial City also dedicates over 500,000 square meters to the same sector. This initiative leads to the creation of an integrated industrial area that leverages the industrial and logistical capabilities of the Dhofar Governorate and helps establish connected value chains for manufacturers, suppliers, and service providers related to this sector.
Regional Development for Pharmaceutical Industries in Khazaen
The Chairman of OPAZ also noted that the first phase includes the establishment of an area for pharmaceutical and medical industries in Khazaen Economic City, covering an area of over 500,000 square meters. The selection of this area is due to its strategic location, logistical integration, and proximity to markets and consumption centers, along with the growth of industrial and pharmaceutical investments in the region.
Al-Yusuf emphasized that the Special Economic Zones and Free Zones Authority will continue to collaborate with relevant entities, developers, and stakeholders to prepare these clusters to attract specialized local and international companies and develop an integrated investment ecosystem that supports production, warehousing, distribution, and export operations. These efforts will contribute to creating a conducive environment for the growth of pharmaceutical and medical industries and related activities.
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