The Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (Opaz) in Muscat has awarded the Central Platform for Investor Services Project. This project is aimed at providing government and operational e-services in the economic, free, and industrial zones supervised by Opaz. The platform will be upgraded to be integrated with other national government service platforms managed by various government bodies. This is a strategic step towards the development of digital infrastructure to meet sustainable development goals and make Oman’s economic and free zones appealing as trustworthy and sustainable investment destinations.
Mahmoud Hamoud Al-Rawahi, the Planning and Information Technology Director General, explained that the platform will serve as a single one-stop shop where investors can access all investment services. It will produce centralized statistics, facilitate the verification of KPIs in areas under Opaz’s supervision, integrate various investor e-service channels and systems, and connect government services to those operating in the zones under Opaz’s supervision. This platform aims to simplify the process of overseeing and managing service termination, establishing protocols, and reducing the administrative and financial costs associated with setting up and maintaining multiple service channels, as well as preventing the loss of paper files and project data.
Al-Rawahi also mentioned that the platform will decrease the time and effort required for services for investors. It will improve service quality as part of Opaz’s plan for digital transformation and enhance the quality of services provided to government investors in the zones under Opaz’s supervision through transparent service requirements and expedited service procedures. Opaz has been taking various actions to enhance investor services in the zones under its supervision since its establishment in September 2020. One of the key actions taken is the creation of the Digital Transformation Committee. The study has identified government and operational services provided to investors in the Special Economic Zone at Duqm, free zones, and industrial cities.
Opaz has also documented administrative procedures, created requirements for each service, utilized forms, and reviewed service fees, tariffs for business activities, and related approvals. The authority has introduced an investor land selection e-service, a toll-free investor call centre (1919), and an investor residence visa issuance service in addition to granting its zones the ability to issue work permits. Opaz has continued its coordination efforts with military and civil bodies to link its system with the customs exemption system, as well as working with the Directorate General of Customs to develop requirements for the import and export of dual-use goods and other products. They have also categorized and documented their services offered through the Oman digital portal’s government e-services assessment system.
In conclusion, Opaz’s Central Platform for Investor Services Project is a significant step towards enhancing the ease of doing business in Oman’s economic and free zones. The platform will streamline the process of accessing investment services, reduce administrative and financial costs, and improve service quality for government investors. Through various initiatives and actions taken by Opaz, the authority continues its efforts to enhance services provided to investors in the zones under its supervision and create a conducive environment for attracting sustainable investments. The digital transformation and integration with other national government platforms will further solidify Oman’s position as a reliable and lucrative investment destination.
