Business setup in Duqm

Quick answer: Businesses in Duqm register in the Special Economic Zone at Duqm, often still called SEZAD, regulated since 2020 by the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ), which acts as a one-stop shop for registration, licences, land and permits. The zone offers 100% foreign ownership, tax and customs incentives and very large land plots, and suits heavy industry, energy, port, marine, fisheries and logistics projects as well as contractors and suppliers serving them.

Why set up in Duqm?

• Scale. The zone covers a very large area with land for heavy industry, logistics, tourism and residential projects.
• Port and dry dock. The Port of Duqm and its ship-repair dry dock sit on the Arabian Sea, outside the Strait of Hormuz.
• Energy and industry. The Duqm refinery, petrochemical and green-energy projects create demand for contractors, suppliers and service companies.
• Fisheries. A dedicated fisheries cluster supports processing and export.
• One regulator. OPAZ handles most approvals inside the zone.

Who sets up in Duqm?

• Industrial, petrochemical and energy project companies
• EPC contractors, subcontractors and equipment suppliers (construction licence)
• Ship-repair, marine and port-service companies
• Logistics and warehousing operators
• Fish processors and exporters
• Hotels, catering and housing providers serving the workforce

Incentives

The zone offers 100% foreign ownership, customs-duty exemptions, income-tax holidays for qualifying projects, a reduced Omanisation requirement and long-term land leases. Exact terms depend on your project and are confirmed in the zone's approval. Full detail is on our Duqm Special Economic Zone page.

How to set up in Duqm, step by step

1. Project profile. Activity, investment, land or premises needs, utilities and workforce.
2. Application to OPAZ. We prepare the application, business plan summary and corporate documents.
3. Approval and land. The zone approves the project and allocates land or premises under a lease.
4. Registration and licence through the one-stop shop.
5. Permits. Building, environmental and Civil Defence permits for construction projects; an industrial licence where relevant.
6. Visas for investors and staff.
7. Bank account and customs registration.

Our guide to setting up a business in Duqm covers the background.

Costs

Budgets in Duqm are driven by land or premises, utilities and construction, more than by registration fees. See free zone setup costs for the fee structure, then ask us for a project-specific estimate.

Living and working in Duqm

Duqm is about six hours by road from Muscat, with flights to Duqm Airport. Staff housing and services are expanding with the zone. Most project companies also keep a Muscat presence for banking and government liaison, which our PRO services can cover.

Typical timeline

Duqm vs other zones

See Sohar and Salalah, and our free zones overview.

How we help

We prepare the project profile and application with OPAZ, coordinate land and permits, and handle visas, banking and corporate services for the life of the project.

Business ideas that work in Duqm

Duqm is a planned special economic zone built around a port, dry dock, refinery and industrial land. Typical activities:

• Heavy and light industry: manufacturing, fabrication and processing on allocated plots; see the industrial licence.
• Port, marine and ship-repair services: supply, repair and logistics for vessels using the dry dock and port.
• Logistics and warehousing: distribution serving the zone and central Oman; see the logistics licence.
• Energy and petrochemical services: contractors and suppliers serving the refinery and downstream projects.
• Construction and contracting: firms building the zone's infrastructure; see the construction licence.
• Hospitality and support services: housing, catering and facilities for the growing workforce.

Checklist before you apply in Duqm

1. Write a project summary with investment, plot size, utilities and workforce, since the zone authority reviews the project.
2. Confirm which incentives your sector qualifies for and for how long.
3. Plan housing and logistics for staff, as Duqm is remote from Muscat.
4. Confirm environmental and Civil Defence permits for industrial sites.
5. Prepare shareholder and corporate documents, attested where required.

Frequently asked questions

Who regulates companies in Duqm?

The Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) regulates the Special Economic Zone at Duqm and issues registrations, licences and permits for companies inside it.

Can a foreign company own 100% of a company in Duqm?

Yes. Foreign ownership of 100% is permitted in the zone.

Is Duqm only for large projects?

Large industrial and energy projects anchor the zone, but contractors, suppliers, logistics firms and service providers of all sizes set up there to serve them.

Can a Duqm company work elsewhere in Oman?

The zone company operates inside the zone. To trade on the mainland, companies usually add a mainland entity or branch.

How long does it take to set up in Duqm?

Allow about four to ten weeks for approval and registration, longer if you are building a plant. Land allocation and permits drive the timeline.

Do I need to live in Duqm to run a company there?

No, but industrial operations need people on site. Many owners manage from Muscat or abroad with a site manager.

Is Duqm only for large industrial projects?

No. Smaller service, logistics and supply companies also register in the zone, though land-based projects are the main focus.