The agreement between Dubai's global ports operator DP World and Oman to develop and operate the Al Rawdah Special Economic Zone shows the Gulf economies' intent to strengthen their position at the centre of new global supply chains.
The deal for the site in Mahadha, in Oman’s Al Buraimi governorate, was signed during the visit of a high-level UAE delegation to Oman, led by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence.
The agreement was signed by Sultan bin Sulayem, group chairman and chief executive of DP World, and Ahmed bin Hassan, deputy chairman of Oman’s Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones.
The first phase of the economic zone will initially target activities such as automotive-related manufacturing, textiles and apparel, steel fabrication, logistics and trading, according to DP World.
A group of UAE-based companies have signed letters of intent to explore investment opportunities in the new economic zone, the company said. The companies represent sectors including logistics, manufacturing, steel fabrication and packaging, and include Spinneys, Apparel Group, Conares and Al Bayader, DP World said.
The UAE's experience in the development, efficient and profitable management and sound governance of special economic zones and free zones over the past 40 years can provide a valuable framework for Oman's initiatives, said Nasser Saidi, president of Nasser Saidi and Associates, former Lebanon economy minister and vice-governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon.
The new SEZ will also offer opportunities for well-established businesses in the UAE to transfer knowledge and skills, best practices in governance, infrastructure development and investor services can be shared. Oman's SEZs can learn from the UAE about smart ports, blockchain in customs clearance and the use of artificial intelligence in logistics, he added.
“This agreement is very significant since it is an illustration that many GCC economies are showing a firm intention to position themselves at the centre of global supply chains,” said Nicolas Michelon, managing partner of Alagan Partners, a Dubai corporate geopolitics consultancy.
“The trade wars launched by US President Donald Trump are triggering a massive change in global supply chains as companies redraw their supplier network to circumvent tariffs on specific markets. The increase in intensity of trade wars is creating more thirst for free trade agreements.”
In April, President Sheikh Mohamed announced that the UAE and the EU had agreed to begin talks towards a trade deal. Talks will focus on trade in goods, services, investment and deepening co-operation in strategic sectors, including renewable energy, green hydrogen and critical raw materials, the EU said.
The plan to deepen trade ties comes as Mr Trump pushes for tariffs on some of his country's biggest trading partners. Washington has paused some of those duties and he has postponed the imposition of 50 per cent tariffs on EU imports to July 9.
The GCC and Malaysia also started negotiations for a free trade agreement on Monday. Several major global economies are also pursuing trade deals with the Gulf region. The UK is in talks with the GCC, with indications that an agreement could be signed soon.
Mahadha Development Company, a UAE-Omani joint venture in which DP World is the majority partner, will develop the Al Rawdah Special Economic Zone, according to the statement.
Phase one of the project will cover 14 square kilometres, with expansion plans to reach 25 square kilometres in phase two.
The increase in intensity of trade wars is creating more thirst for free trade agreements
Nicolas Michelon,
managing partner, Alagan Partners
Mr bin Sulayem said the new zone would strengthen bilateral trade ties, after non-oil trade between the UAE and Oman hit a record Dh56 billion ($15.2 billion) in 2024, a 9.8 per cent increase from the previous year.
The zone will benefit from direct connectivity to Jebel Ali Port in Dubai and Sohar Port in Oman.
“This is expected to enhance logistics efficiency, lower costs and improve market access across Gulf, Asian and African trade routes,” Mr bin Hassan said.
The new zone will also help create jobs, attract advanced knowledge and modern technologies, he added.
By developing specialised zones and infrastructure, Oman can enhance connectivity and economic co-operation across the region, integrate itself into regional value chains and position itself as a key player in regional trade and economic networks, Mr Saidi said.
This would complement the UAE's established role in global logistics and trade and enhance the region’s resilience against global supply chain disruptions, he added.
The GCC economies, in particular the UAE, Qatar, Oman and Saudi Arabia, are aware that their geographic positions make them extremely important in this “redrawing of supply chains”, especially between Asia, Europe and Africa, because they are at the nexus, Mr Michelon said.
However, that window of opportunity may close very soon, he warned.
Individual GCC economies may not be able to take up the new trade flows resulting from the new supply chains, but if they connect with each other, they can dramatically increase their capacity in terms of logistics flow and manufacturing, he said.
“The new economic zone is equidistant from the Port of Sohar in Oman and Jebel Ali port in the UAE. It positions this manufacturing centre in a perfect place, benefiting from existing connectivity,” Mr Michelon said.
The Al Rawdah project will use its location to strengthen supply chains, re-export activity and logistics connectivity between Oman, the UAE and international markets, the Dubai Media Office statement said. It also aims to attract foreign direct investment, increase industrial output and create “thousands of jobs” as the zone expands over the coming decades.
Although the Al Rawdah Special Economic Zone does not sit on the current Etihad Rail route, “it will be interesting to watch how these transportation projects will adapt and propose some extensions to increase connectivity, ease of access and speed of delivery through the existing ports infrastructure”, Mr Michelon said.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Landfill in numbers
• Landfill gas is composed of 50 per cent methane
• Methane is 28 times more harmful than Co2 in terms of global warming
• 11 million total tonnes of waste are being generated annually in Abu Dhabi
• 18,000 tonnes per year of hazardous and medical waste is produced in Abu Dhabi emirate per year
• 20,000 litres of cooking oil produced in Abu Dhabi’s cafeterias and restaurants every day is thrown away
• 50 per cent of Abu Dhabi’s waste is from construction and demolition
Blonde
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HAJJAN
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Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
The specs
Engine: Two permanent-magnet synchronous AC motors
Transmission: two-speed
Power: 671hp
Torque: 849Nm
Range: 456km
Price: from Dh437,900
On sale: now
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
WIDE%20VIEW
%3Cp%3EThe%20benefits%20of%20HoloLens%202%2C%20according%20to%20Microsoft%3A%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EManufacturing%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Reduces%20downtime%20and%20speeds%20up%20onboarding%20and%20upskilling%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngineering%20and%20construction%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Accelerates%20the%20pace%20of%20construction%20and%20mitigates%20risks%20earlier%20in%20the%20construction%20cycle%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EHealth%20care%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Enhances%20the%20delivery%20of%20patient%20treatment%20at%20the%20point%20of%20care%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEducation%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Improves%20student%20outcomes%20and%20teaches%20from%20anywhere%20with%20experiential%20learning%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Islamic%20Architecture%3A%20A%20World%20History
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Getting%20there%20
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BULKWHIZ PROFILE
Date started: February 2017
Founders: Amira Rashad (CEO), Yusuf Saber (CTO), Mahmoud Sayedahmed (adviser), Reda Bouraoui (adviser)
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: E-commerce
Size: 50 employees
Funding: approximately $6m
Investors: Beco Capital, Enabling Future and Wain in the UAE; China's MSA Capital; 500 Startups; Faith Capital and Savour Ventures in Kuwait
Virtuzone GCC Sixes
Date and venue Friday and Saturday, ICC Academy, Dubai Sports City
Time Matches start at 9am
Groups
A Blighty Ducks, Darjeeling Colts, Darjeeling Social, Dubai Wombats; B Darjeeling Veterans, Kuwait Casuals, Loose Cannons, Savannah Lions; C Awali Taverners, Darjeeling, Dromedary, Darjeeling Good Eggs
Company Profile
Company name: OneOrder
Started: October 2021
Founders: Tamer Amer and Karim Maurice
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Industry: technology, logistics
Investors: A15 and self-funded
Bert van Marwijk factfile
Born: May 19 1952
Place of birth: Deventer, Netherlands
Playing position: Midfielder
Teams managed:
1998-2000 Fortuna Sittard
2000-2004 Feyenoord
2004-2006 Borussia Dortmund
2007-2008 Feyenoord
2008-2012 Netherlands
2013-2014 Hamburg
2015-2017 Saudi Arabia
2018 Australia
Major honours (manager):
2001/02 Uefa Cup, Feyenoord
2007/08 KNVB Cup, Feyenoord
World Cup runner-up, Netherlands
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
UAE-based players
Goodlands Riders: Jamshaid Butt, Ali Abid, JD Mahesh, Vibhor Shahi, Faizan Asif, Nadeem Rahim
Rose Hill Warriors: Faraz Sheikh, Ashok Kumar, Thabreez Ali, Janaka Chathuranga, Muzammil Afridi, Ameer Hamza
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Mercedes V250 Avantgarde specs
Engine: 2.0-litre in-line four-cylinder turbo
Gearbox: 7-speed automatic
Power: 211hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 350Nm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.0 l/100 km
Price: Dh235,000
