On May 14, 2008, witnessed by the Sohar Industrial Port Company SAOC (SIPC) shareholders the Government of the Sultanate of Oman represented by HE Maqbool bin Ali bin Sultan, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Chairman of the Board of (SIPC) and the Port of Rotterdam, represented by its CEO Hans Smits, SIPC entered the next phase for the development and expansion of the Port of Sohar by signing heads of agreement with SKIL Infrastructure to partner in the development and the launching of the Freezone Sohar.

Free Zones are proven tools of economic growth worldwide and provide opportunities to attract investments within the defined geographical boundary of a country.

The Freezone Sohar will be developed adjacent and directly connected to the already established Port of Sohar. This close proximity has considerable logistic advantages and also provides quality infrastructure services making the investments even more competitive. It will also create employment for the people living in the Batinah region, enhances the existing foreign direct investment in the Port of Sohar area and shift dependence to the non energy sector thus contributing to the sustainable regional economic development of the North Batinah region.

SKIL, the Mumbai based infrastructure and development company, are pioneers in conceptualizing and developing free zones and intends to bring their expertise and know-how on a strategic level for the development and management of the Freezone Sohar. SKIL developed the first private port in India, built one of the world’s largest shipyards and has attracted international investors in it.

The Government of the Sultanate of Oman and the Port of Rotterdam (POR) signed in 2007 an agreement expanding the concession agreement in Sohar from 2000 ha to 6300 ha including the 4300 ha free zone.

The Freezone Sohar is expected to be launched in Q4 2008.