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5d ago

Oman Creates Special AI Zone in Muscat by Royal Decree

The decree signals a bid to lure AI investment with free-zone benefits under Oman’s Vision 2040.

Oman moves to scale ai ecosystem with new special economic zone
Mutrah Corniche in Muscat. Oman's Vision 2040 strategy counts technology and AI among its key pillars. AFP

Overview

  • A Royal Decree creates a Special Artificial Intelligence Zone in Muscat with incentives available under Oman’s free-zone law.
  • The Public Establishment for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones, which regulates Oman’s free-trade areas, will appoint an operator in coordination with the transport and communications ministry.
  • The plan fits into Vision 2040, which seeks to diversify the economy and lift the digital sector’s share of GDP toward 10% by 2040.
  • The zone aims to attract global tech firms and local startups by offering exemptions and operational benefits designed to lower entry barriers.
  • Analysts say the impact will depend on swift governance setup and the zone’s ability to land major tenants, following recent chip investments by state-backed Ithca Group.