DP WORLD AND OPAZ SIGN LANDMARK AGREEMENT TO DEVELOP AL RAWDAH SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE IN OMAN

DP World and the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) in Oman, today signed a landmark agreement to develop and operate Phase One of the Al Rawdah Special Economic Zone, as part of an official visit by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai,

The agreement was signed by His Excellency Eng. Ahmed bin Hassan Al Dheeb, Deputy Chairman of OPAZ, and His Excellency Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World, representing Mahadha Development Company, which will develop the new zone. Mahadha Development Company is an Emirati-Omani joint venture in which DP World is the majority partner.

Strategically located in the Wilayat of Mahadha in Al Buraimi Governorate, just 10km from the UAE border, the zone will provide seamless access to both Jebel Ali Port in Dubai and key Omani ports, enabling efficient logistics and re-export operations across the region. The first phase will cover 14 square kilometers, with plans to expand to 25 square kilometers in Phase 2. The zone will serve as a key engine of economic diversification aligned with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and Oman Vision 2040, attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), increasing industrial output, and creating thousands of jobs as the zone scales over the coming decades.

His Excellency Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World said: “The Al Rawdah Special Economic Zone represents a new chapter in the growing economic relationship between the UAE and the Sultanate of Oman. Through close collaboration with OPAZ and our Omani partners, this new zone will strengthen our deep trade ties while reflecting our shared ambition for sustainable and diversified economic growth. At DP World, we are committed to developing a world-class platform that will create new opportunities for growth, strengthen connectivity and bring long-term economic value to both Oman and the UAE.”

His Excellency Eng. Ahmed bin Hassan Al Dheeb, Deputy Chairman of OPAZ, added: "The Al Rawdah Special Economic Zone has been designed to support key development goals, including creating jobs, attracting advanced knowledge and modern technologies, and fostering a business-friendly environment that aligns with the sustainable development objectives of Oman Vision 2040. The zone’s strategic location in the Buraimi Governorate - at the crossroads between Oman and the UAE - provides seamless connectivity to both Sohar Port and Jebel Ali Port. This positioning is expected to enhance logistics efficiency, lower costs, and improve market access across Gulf, Asian, and African trade routes.”

Under the agreement, Mahadha Development Company will lead the development of infrastructure, master planning, environmental studies, and operational readiness. The zone will target high-impact sectors such as logistics, warehousing, pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, plastics, mining, food processing, and security and safety services - all provided through an integrated one-stop-shop service model.

In 2024, non-oil trade between the UAE and Oman reached a record AED56 billion - a 9.8% increase from the previous year. The Al Rawdah Zone is expected to accelerate this growth by establishing a modern and advanced ecosystem for trade and manufacturing.

DP World brings more than four decades of expertise in developing and operating economic zones, including the Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), the first and one of the most successful free zones globally. This experience along with its portfolio of 11 economic zones worldwide positions DP World to deliver a future-ready, integrated platform in Oman, supported by OPAZ’s national development strategy.