OPAZ Announces Tender for Dry Port and Veterinary Quarantine at Al Dhahirah Economic Zone (EZAD) – IP3

MUSCAT – The Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) has announced the launch of a tender for the third phase of development at the Economic Zone at Al Dhahirah (EZAD). This phase includes the construction of a dry port and a veterinary quarantine facility, reinforcing Oman’s commitment to enhancing trade and logistics capabilities.

OPAZ has invited qualified Omani and Saudi companies in joint ventures to obtain the tender documents and submit their proposals before the deadline on April 17, 2025.

The dry port, positioned as the core component of EZAD, spans an allocated area of 4 square kilometers. The first phase will cover 1 square kilometer and will be developed alongside the veterinary quarantine facility. The project is part of a broader collaboration between the Sultanate of Oman and Saudi Arabia, strategically located near the Omani-Saudi border at Rub’ al Khali to facilitate cross-border trade.

Enhancing Trade and Investment

Eng. Ibrahim Yousuf Al Zadjali, Project Manager at EZAD, emphasized that the new tender marks a significant step toward achieving the zone’s objectives of streamlining trade between Oman and Saudi Arabia. The dry port’s design integrates advanced infrastructure and state-of-the-art facilities, aligning with the highest international standards while accommodating the needs of various stakeholders.

The integration of the dry port with the border crossing is expected to reduce transit times by minimizing the number of processing points, ensuring faster movement of goods between Oman and Saudi Arabia. This will strengthen bilateral trade relations, attract new investments, and promote economic partnerships between the two nations.

Scope of the Tender

The tender covers a comprehensive range of construction and infrastructure works, including:

• Civil, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and structural works
• Customs gate, inspection platforms, and clearance areas
• Substation facilities, maintenance workshops, and laboratories
• Water tanks, fire protection systems, and scanning equipment
• Administrative offices, mosques, rest areas, and staff accommodations
• Security fencing, surveillance systems, and associated facilities

The dry port will be operated by Asyad Group, a subsidiary of Oman Investment Authority (OIA), leveraging its expertise in logistics and port management.

Strategic Development of EZAD

Last year, OPAZ awarded a consultancy contract for the design and supervision of EZAD’s first-phase infrastructure to a joint Omani-Saudi consortium, covering an area of 20 square kilometers. Additionally, OPAZ had floated a tender for the construction of main roads, surface water drainage systems, and protection channels within EZAD, with the award expected by the end of Q1 2025.

EZAD spans a total area of 388 square kilometers and is located 20 kilometers from the Rub’ al Khali border crossing. The economic zone aims to bolster trade between Oman and Saudi Arabia, support economic diversification, and unlock new investment opportunities in the Gulf region. By capitalizing on its strategic geographic position and Oman’s competitive advantages, EZAD is set to become a major trade and logistics hub in the region.

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