BUSINESS REPORTER
MUSCAT, NOV 5
The Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) launched its vision and mission, as part of its annual strategic plan for 2022 aimed at enhancing the investment environment in OPAZ affiliated zones, which contribute to boosting the national economy through attracting investment in various economic sectors to all zones.
OPAZ employees contributed to developing the vision and mission, which translate OPAZ competencies stipulated in the Royal Decree No. (105/2020), establishing the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) and defining its roles and objectives, and with reference also to the Royal Decree (53/2022) transferring the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (Madayn) to OPAZ. These four key roles include planning and regulation, facilitation and operation in some cases.
OPAZ vision promotes its affiliated zones as “the investment destination of choice”. This is reflected in its mission “developing and regulating the zones affiliated with OPAZ and providing an attractive and sustainable investment environment” that attracts investors from within and outside the Sultanate of Oman. On the other hand, OPAZ has approved its values that enable employees, customers and investors to support achieving the vision. These values are “Responsibility, Cooperation, Transparency and Creativity”. Such remarkable values reflect employees’ belief in the significance and worth of performing their duties and shouldering the responsibility to serve their country and ensuring satisfaction for investors, businesspersons and all those benefiting from the services provided by OPAZ and all its affiliated zones.
Speaking on the occasion, Huda bint Abdullah al Habsiyah (pictured), OPAZ Board Member and supervisor of the team managing the vision and mission project, explained that the vision, mission and values of OPAZ were developed by a team of employees through different well-planned phases. These phases attracted around 100 employees of OPAZ, the Special Economic Zone at Duqm and other free zones affiliated with OPAZ. Having them all in this project mirrors the confidence of OPAZ Board of Directors in the employees and their important role as a key partner in working on OPAZ mission and achieving its vision.
“The vision and mission are of great importance and regarded an essential pillar upon which OPAZ directions, plans and strategy are based towards the development, regulation and supervision of the special economic zones, free and industrial zones. Further, involving employees in developing the vision, mission and values marks a real partnership between OPAZ and its employees to bring a plan on which all depends to implement OPAZ competencies, set policies and perform their tasks in the different affiliated zones.”
OPAZ was established as per the provision of the Royal Decree No. (105/2020), issued on August 18, 2020. It oversees the Special Economic Zone at Duqm, free zones in Sohar, Salalah and Al Mazunah and any other special economic zone or free zone in the Sultanate of Oman. OPAZ also oversees the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (Madayn) as per the provision of the Royal Decree No. (53/2022), issued on June 28, 2022.
