Page 153 - MINISTRY OF CULTURE PR REPORT - MAY 2025 (ENGLISH)

5/27/25, 3:54 PM Hamdan bin Mohammed witnesses signing of agreement

Hamdan bin Mohammed witnesses signing of agreement to develop and operate Phase
One of the Al Rawdah Special Economic Zone in Al Buraimi Governorate

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai,
Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai,
today witnessed the signing of an agreement to develop and operate the first phase of the Al
Rawdah Special Economic Zone, located in the Wilayat of Mahadha, Al Buraimi Governorate, in
the Sultanate of Oman. The signing took place during the visit of a high-level UAE delegation to
Oman led by HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed.
The signing of the agreement, which took place in Muscat, was attended by His Highness
Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth of Oman. The
agreement is part of the flourishing economic cooperation between the two nations.

The agreement was signed by His Excellency Eng. Ahmed bin Hassan Al Dheeb, Deputy
Chairman of the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ), and His
Excellency Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World, representing
Mahadha Development Company, which will develop the new zone. Mahadha Development
Company is an Emirati-Omani joint venture in which DP World is the majority partner.

Commenting on the occasion, His Excellency Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem said: “The Al Rawdah
Special Economic Zone represents a new chapter in the growing economic relationship
between the UAE and the Sultanate of Oman. Through close collaboration with OPAZ and our
Omani partners, this new zone will strengthen our deep trade ties while reflecting our shared
ambition for sustainable and diversified economic growth.”

He added: “At DP World, we are committed to developing a world-class platform that will create
new opportunities for growth, strengthen connectivity and bring long-term economic value to
both Oman and the UAE.”

In his speech, His Excellency Eng. Ahmed bin Hassan Al Dheeb highlighted: "The Al Rawdah
Special Economic Zone has been designed to support key development goals, including
creating jobs, attracting advanced knowledge and modern technologies, and fostering a
business-friendly environment that aligns with the sustainable development objectives of Oman
Vision 2040.”

He added: “The zone’s strategic location in the Buraimi Governorate - at the crossroads
between Oman and the UAE - provides seamless connectivity to both Sohar Port and Jebel Ali
Port. This positioning is expected to enhance logistics efficiency, lower costs, and improve
market access across Gulf, Asian, and African trade routes.”

Phase 1 of the project will cover 14 square kilometres, with expansion plans to reach 25 square

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