Company formation in Duqm
Business setup in Duqm
Duqm is Oman's largest economic zone, built around a deep-water port, a dry dock and a refinery. Here is how companies set up in the Special Economic Zone at Duqm and what they need for large projects.
Last reviewed 13 October 2026Free first consultation · reply within one business day
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
- Project profile. Activity, investment, land or premises needs, utilities and workforce.
- Application to OPAZ. We prepare the application, business plan summary and corporate documents.
- Approval and land. The zone approves the project and allocates land or premises under a lease.
- Registration and licence through the one-stop shop.
- Permits. Building, environmental and Civil Defence permits for construction projects; an industrial licence where relevant.
- Visas for investors and staff.
- 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
| Step | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Project profile and discussions | 2–4 weeks |
| Application and approval | 1–3 months |
| Land or premises | 1–2 months |
| Registration and licence | 2–4 weeks |
| Permits and construction | Months, depending on the project |
Duqm vs other zones
| Duqm | Sohar | Salalah | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scale | Very large land bank | Established cluster | Large port-side land bank |
| Best for | Heavy industry, energy, marine | Metals, food, GCC logistics | Transshipment, export manufacturing |
| Distance from Muscat | About 6 hours by road | About 2–3 hours | About 1,000 km |
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.
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.
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Related services and guides
- 01Duqm SEZSet up a business in the Special Economic Zone at Duqm. Port, dry dock and refinery access, tax holidays, target sectors, land options and registration steps.
- 02Industrial LicenceHow to obtain an industrial licence in Oman for manufacturing. Industrial registration, environmental permits, land in Madayn estates or free zones, and incentives.
- 03Construction LicenceLicense a construction or contracting company in Oman. Building and MEP activities, Tender Board classification, In-Country Value, Omanisation and the setup steps.
- 04Free Zone CostsWhat it costs to set up in an Oman free zone: registration and licence fees, office, warehouse and land lease rates, building costs, visas and annual renewals.
- 05NizwaStart a business in Nizwa, Oman: mainland company setup, Nizwa industrial estate, tourism, retail, food and agriculture licences, steps, costs and visas.
- 06SalalahStart a business in Salalah, Oman: Salalah Free Zone, Raysut industrial estate or a mainland company in Dhofar. Sectors, licences, steps, costs and visas.
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