On Wednesday the 22nd of September a contract was signed in Muscat between Sohar Free Zone LLC and Al Naboodah Contracting Co. LLC. On behalf of Sohar Free Zone LLC, HE Sultan bin Salim Al Habsi, Undersecretary of Financial Affairs Ministry of Finance and Board Member signed together with the CEO of Freezone Sohar, Mr. Jamal T. Aziz. Present and signing from Al Naboodah Contracting LLC, Mr Senan Abdullah Mohammed Al Naboodah – Vice Chairman, Executive Committee, Al Naboodah Construction Group LLC.

The Port of Sohar is today one of the largest multi-disciplined economic project in Oman. The concession agreement for the Port of Sohar was signed in 2002 and the addendum to the original concession agreement was signed in 2007 to develop and manage 4500 ha for establishing the Freezone Sohar. The first 500ha is now being developed and the first customers have already signed up to be a part of the major economic development for the Bhatinah region as well as for Oman.

Sohar Free Zone LLC has been authorized by the Government of Oman to manage and develop the 4500 ha greenfield site as a free zone which will offer a number of incentives for investors. It is embedded within a modern multi-modal transport infrastructure comprising the Port of Sohar, Sohar Airport (under construction) and the planned rail port.
HE Maqbool Ali Sultan, Minister of Commerce and Industry and Chairman of the Board of Port of Sohar and Freezone Sohar, hailed this signing as an important milestone to set the stage for local and foreign small and medium sized enterprises (SME’s)s who wish to take advantage of Sohar’s booming industrial clusters and its modern transport infrastructure.

The Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group has been operating for more than 50 years, offering a diverse range of products and services through four core business sectors – construction, commercial, investments and real estate
The contract signed today comprises of site clearance, soil works and perimeter fencing. This is an important part for enabling customers in the Freezone Sohar to develop their individual lots.
Jamal Aziz stated that this contract is the first of two main infrastructure construction packages which are undertaken by Freezone Sohar. He added the intention of splitting the works is to satisfy the wishes of a number of committed and prospective tenants to start their projects on their respective plots within a short span of time.
Parallel to the Enabling works the utility service companies are progressing to implement the initial phases of their respective master plans to provide needed electricity, water and telecommunication services in the Freezone. In addition, the Ministry of Heritage & Culture will start the archaeological excavation of a number of pre-Islamic graves in the Freezone Sohar. These works are supported by Sohar Free Zone LLC and will be carried out under auspices of the 2 year long Sohar Heritage Project.