SOHAR scoops 'Free Zone of the Year' award from UK magazine

20/10/2015 08:17 AST

In its annual search for the world's best free zones, the jury from 'fDi Magazine', part of the UK's Financial Times group, has awarded Oman's SOHAR Freezone '2015 Free Zone of the Year' in in two categories - with one commendation for 'Ease of Access' and another for 'Infrastructure Improvements'.

"We are delighted to receive this international recognition for SOHAR Freezone and 'fDi Magazine' certainly did their homework; this past year has seen great progress made in terms of accessibility thanks to huge improvements in our fast growing network of new and uncongested highways; with the recent opening of SOHAR Airport we will soon be able to offer seamless sea-road-air cargo connections in Oman," said Jamal Aziz, chief executive officer of SOHAR Freezone.

The first phase of SOHAR Freezone is now almost fully leased out, several years ahead of the original schedule, as many overseas investors discover the unique advantages of SOHAR Port and Freezone's location outside the Strait of Hormuz. This has made it an ideal trans-shipment centre between east and west, as well as an important gateway not only to the growing Middle East and North African (Mena) region, but also as a stepping-off point to around 3.5 billion consumers across easily accessible neighbouring regions of China, India and Eastern Africa.

"We have positioned ourselves in SOHAR as regional players in a global market and its great to see that these fDi commendations are benchmarked against the world's best free zones; we are proud of everything that our Freezone team has achieved here in Oman and are thankful to all our tenants who continue to support us as we strive for more diversification and further significant growth," said Andre Toet, chief executive officer of of SOHAR Port.

Times of Oman