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Select Your Location
Oman’s location is very convenient for international trade. India, East Africa, Qatar, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, all these major markets can be easily linked. So, companies can build their supply chains very quickly. Many investors have chosen Oman Free Zones for their multi-activity business, low costs, and licensing framework. The opportunity to operate manufacturing, trade, logistics, or service activities through the same entity has further increased the attraction for investors.
This blog highlights the features of the various free zones in Oman and helps determine which zone is most suitable for a multi-activity business. Choosing the right zone can help companies scale up easily and remain competitive in the regional market.
Oman is known for its strategic location for international trade. Companies can quickly build a supply chain to be close to important markets, including India, East Africa, Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia. In addition, the trade policy and customs process are relatively simple, so it reduces the time and cost of managing imports and exports.
Company registration in Oman is simple with us, and foreign investors can obtain 100% ownership. It is possible to combine production, trading, logistics, or service-based work under one organization. According to Omani law, a multi-activity license can be obtained, which plays a major role in expanding and diversifying the business. The Key reasons for choosing multi-activity businesses in Oman’s free zones –
Common features of major free zones in Oman –
Licensing Flexibility and Sector Openness
All free zones in Oman offer licenses in various sectors, including industry, trade, logistics, IT, and services. Combinations such as manufacturing + trading or trading + logistics are also easily approved.
Incentives and Cost Structure
Investors get corporate tax exemption, import-export duty exemption, land lease facilities, and low operational costs. Each zone has advanced infrastructure: connected ports, warehouses, industrial plots, IT parks, and customs-integrated logistics systems.
Infrastructure Quality
Roads, seaports, airports, and warehouse facilities are modern and business friendly. These facilities play a major role in scale-up, time management, and supply chain management for multi-activity companies.
Sohar Freezone is a stable place for industrial and commercial activities in Oman. Various types of factories, trading units, and logistics services have been developed here, so multi-activity businesses in the Onam Free Zone can run easily. Companies that produce and export directly get good advantages in this region. There is an opportunity to manufacture, store, and ship products in the same place. It helps to save time and reduce costs.
The connection with Sohar Port makes business in the Oman free zone easier. Companies can reach foreign markets quickly due to regular shipping on various international routes. The place is close to Muscat, which helps to get the necessary services, manpower, or transportation.
Among the Oman Free Zones, Sohar is suitable for companies that produce and export. It is a reliable center for many businesses, altogether providing connectivity, infrastructure, and a business-friendly environment.
Salalah Free Zone is very convenient for export-oriented businesses. Its proximity to the Indian Ocean makes international shipping fast, and large container handling facilities make it efficient for business. The location is ideal for manufacturing and re-exporting products or doing assembly and value-added processing.
Licensing in different sectors is relatively easy, so multiple operations can be carried out under the same organization. Here, manufacturing, packing, and trading can be operated in a hassle-free way, thus helping in multi-activity businesses in the Onam Free Zone.
Being so close to Salalah Port reduces transportation costs and shortens export times. Here, you can get quick connections from the Middle East, Africa, or Europe. So, Salalah is the perfect place for companies looking to reach international markets quickly.
Duqm SEZAD is Oman’s largest economic zone, and its greatest strength is its vast land area and ready-made environment for various industries. All types of large projects: energy, heavy industry, petrochemicals, shipbuilding, and logistics, can be done here efficiently. It is suitable for companies that build large-scale multi-activity businesses in the Onam free zone with long-term plans.
A well-organized infrastructure, including seaports, industrial plots, roads, and future rail connections, has been developed in the region. Production, storage, and subsequent exports can all be managed from one place.
Duqm is particularly popular among Oman Free Zones because large industrial projects can easily grow here in a continuous manner. Long leases and the availability of land help businesses to expand steadily.
Khazaen Economic City is new but is quickly becoming important for logistics and light manufacturing businesses. Its environment is quite favorable for warehouses, distribution, and light manufacturing. The location is also good for small and medium-sized businesses. It does not require a large investment to run operations.
Proximity to Muscat makes travel easy, and transportation costs are low. Good road connectivity allows for the quick movement of goods to various markets within the country. Multi-activity licenses are easy to obtain, allowing for the convenience of operating multiple businesses through the same entity.
Khazaen is a cost-effective option for those looking to grow their businesses gradually. It is becoming the first choice for many companies for its simple cost structure and easy logistics.
Knowledge Oasis Muscat (KOM) is a technology-focused zone where IT companies, startups, research institutes, and various business services can work together. KOM is a natural fit for those working in software development, data solutions, digital services, or R&D.
It is easy to obtain a multi-activity license here, so IT services, R&D, consultancy, or back-office support can be managed under the same organization. With data centers, innovation labs, and training spaces, technology-based companies can start working quickly with modern office facilities.
Another major advantage of KOM is its collaborative environment. Established IT companies and educational institutions living together, new ideas, solutions, and technological innovations are easily exchanged with startups. KOM creates a well-organized and convenient ecosystem for technology and innovation-based businesses in Oman Free Zones.
Each of Oman’s free zones has its own unique features, so multi-activity businesses can easily choose a location according to their needs. Sohar is mainly suitable for manufacturing and trading. Salalah is good for export-oriented companies in the international market. And Duqm is suitable for large projects and long-term planning.
Khazaen offers the opportunity to operate logistics and light manufacturing at a relatively low cost. And KOM has created a favorable environment for technology, R&D, and digital services. This comparison helps multi-activity businesses make the right decision.
It is important to understand which zone is most compatible with your sector before setting up a business in Oman Free Zones. Each zone has its own strengths, some are strong in manufacturing and logistics, while others have great advantages for IT and services.
Key considerations include:
Although many companies operate two or three activities simultaneously. For example, the manufacturing and trading model is popular in Sohar or Duqm, as both manufacturing and exporting are easy. The IT + logistics combination works well in KOM and Khazaen, where both technology support and a simple distribution network are available. Choosing the right zone can help a multi-activity company grow quickly and sustainably.
Enterslice provides full support to set up multi-activity businesses in the Oman Free Zones. We first analyze the business model and advise on which zone it would be beneficial to start in. This includes tax benefits, regulations, and the right choice of company structure.
Our Key Services:
Enterslice is for you at every stage from business start-up to operation, so that entrepreneurs can run their business permanently without any complications.
The Oman Free Zones are a powerful gateway to the Middle East and international markets. Choosing the right zone makes the organization easier to operate, reduces costs, and speeds up the time to market. Determining which zone is best for your multi-activity business will help ensure future growth. If you want to start a business in any of Oman’s free zones, contact Enterslice. Our expert team will help you through the entire process.
Oman's free zones are now quite popular with foreign businesses. The process of starting a company here is less, taxes are low, and different types of work can be done at the same time. Oman's location makes it easy to reach the international markets. Also, modern ports, clear regulations, and easy trade facilities help businesses move forward quickly.
Yes, a company can conduct multiple activities simultaneously if it wants. Manufacturing, trading, logistics, or services, different activities can be brought under the same license framework. The zones are quite flexible in this regard, so multi-activity businesses can easily organize their work.
Sohar, Salalah, and Duqm are suitable for multi-activity businesses. Sohar has strong manufacturing and trading facilities, Salalah has strong export and shipping support, and Duqm has large land and long-term expansion opportunities. Khazaen and KOM are good for service-oriented and light industries. Choosing a zone according to the nature of the business will provide the best benefits.
Doing business in Oman Free Zones offers various tax benefits. In many cases, income tax is very low or zero. There are no additional duties on imports and exports. Tax holidays are also provided for a certain period. This reduces the cost of the company and makes it easier to start a business.
Generally, a company is set up within 1 to 3 weeks. The time may increase slightly depending on the type of document verification or license. Since most of the work is done online, approvals are received quickly, and the business can be started quickly.
No, foreigners can own the entire company in Oman's free zones. No local partners are required. In this way, entrepreneurs can make their own business decisions. This freedom encourages many foreign companies to invest in Oman.
Yes, Oman Free Zones support both industrial and service-based activities. There are separate licenses for all types of activities, manufacturing, assembly, packaging, IT services, and back office. Operations, consultancy, and logistics. Companies can operate their businesses jointly with multiple licenses. This makes it easier to expand into different sectors.
Generally, there are three types of licenses: industrial, trading, and service licenses. An industrial license is required for manufacturing or processing. A trading license is required for trading, and a service license is required for IT, consulting, or service-based activities. Some zones also offer multi-activity licenses.
Enterslice helps select the right free zone by analyzing the type of business and plans. Support is provided at every stage of company registration, license issuance, documentation, and compliance management. We provide specialized advice on determining the right license structure and strategic setup for multi-activity operations. So, entrepreneurs can start their business with confidence.
Oman’s location is very convenient for international trade. India, East Africa, Qatar, Dubai,...
Oman has been known as a country's hub of commerce and trade for many years. Trading is a vital...
Oman has been known as a country's hub of commerce and trade for many years. Trading is a vital component of Omanâ€...
05 Sep, 2024