Concession agreement inked for natural salt production in Concession Area 'I-51' in Al Wusta
The agreement was signed on behalf of the government of the Sultanate of Oman by Eng. Salim Nasser Al Aufi, Minister of Energy and Minerals, and on behalf of the Company by Ali Salim Al Junaibi, Chairman of the company's Board of Directors.
The agreement aims to increase the production capacity of salt compounds from the existing plant and establish additional facilities to boost natural salt output. The process involves extracting salt from the area by constructing seawater storage ponds, allowing natural evaporation through wind and solar heat, followed by drying, refining, purifying, and packaging the salt. The expected investment value is OMR200 million.
Eng. Salim Nasser Al Aufi, Minister of Energy and Minerals, emphasised that this project represents a significant strategic step that will effectively contribute to advancing economic diversification in Oman. He added that the project is expected to generate numerous job opportunities for Omani citizens.
He noted that the primary objective is to enhance natural salt production and develop its industrial derivatives for use in diverse projects that support sustainable development.
He further highlighted that this project is the third of its kind for sea salt production in Oman, reflecting the ministry's efforts to promote local industries, maximize the utilization of natural resources, and reduce reliance on imported products.
Ali Salim Al Junaibi stated that securing the concession rights for Area I-51 in Al Wusta Governorate will increase the plant's production capacity to one million tons annually. This is expected to meet the needs of the local market and emerging downstream industries currently under development as part of the economic projects under "Oman Vision 2040."
He added that the company will produce multiple salt derivatives required by both local and global markets, particularly those used in food processing, animal feed, and pharmaceutical industries.
He explained that this agreement reinforces the government's approach toward localizing industries, optimising natural resource utilisation, and reducing dependence on imported products. This will enhance the performance of the national economy and generate diverse employment opportunities for Omani professionals, as well as subcontracting prospects for small and medium enterprises.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
20 hours ago
- Observer
A Gateway to Sustainable Gulf Renaissance
In the corridors of Al Bustan Palace in Muscat, during the recent Oman-Saudi Knowledge Dialogue Forum, the gathering was not merely a stage for speeches or immature consumption of ideas; it was a laboratory for shaping the future. Around 70 Saudi universities joined forces with Omani higher education institutions, research centres, and innovation companies to forge a shared Gulf vision rooted in education and scientific research. This partnership is anchored in centuries-old ties of religion, language, and tradition, now extended by emerging geopolitical realities: Oman, gateway to the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean; Saudi Arabia, the dominant land corridor and the Middle East's largest economy. The opening of the Empty Quarter border crossing reduced transport time between Al Duqm and Al Riyadh from days to mere hours, marking the birth of a commercial artery fuelling both nations' visions. The forum resembled a grand workshop for engineering the future, where political will aligned with academic enthusiasm. Oman Vision 2040 and Saudi Vision 2030 met on common ground: a shared belief that nations rise not from the depths of their oil fields, but from the cultivation of intellect. Investing in people yields returns that oil cannot during crises. This partnership draws strength from three key streams: cultural proximity rooted in shared religion and language; geopolitical synergy; and ambitious economic diversification focusing on hydrogen energy, AI, and advanced industries. These ambitions reflect in national plans, aiming for non-oil sectors to contribute 50 per cent of Saudi GDP and over 90 per cent of Oman's GDP by mid-century. This forward-looking vision naturally extends to education and research. The forum resulted in a concrete road map: launching extensive student and academic exchanges, joint research in renewable energy, biotechnology and AI, and establishing innovation hubs in Al Duqm and NEOM. However, realising a knowledge economy demands robust data infrastructure and legal frameworks. The two nations must adopt unified academic standards, enable seamless mobility of graduates and build a digital platform linking research to industry, ensuring that local innovation remains local. Education remains the cornerstone of national goals. Oman Vision 2040 includes raising university enrolment, updating curricula to stimulate creativity, and targeting top 20 rankings in global innovation indices by 2040. Similarly, Saudi Arabia is expanding its R&D infrastructure, increasing the number of universities and research centres and aiming to reduce graduate unemployment by 2030. The academic cooperation seen in the forum reflects urgent, mutual needs. The involvement of numerous Saudi and Omani universities opened the door to joint research, talent exchanges and innovation centres. Studies show that institutional twinning can double research output within a few years, translating into strong industrial and economic outcomes. The partnership should not remain confined to academia; there is potential for industrial collaboration, such as a tech-industrial corridor between Oman's Dhofar and Saudi Arabia's Jazan, focused on clean tech, food, and pharmaceuticals. To ensure implementation, a high-level coordination workshop is necessary, followed by a joint follow-up unit publishing semi-annual progress reports. A joint innovation fund should also be created, with proportional contributions from both sides to support projects for the first five years. Ideally, this bilateral project could scale to include other Arab countries. A proposal for an Arab Scientific Council, gathering ministers of education and research, could align regional priorities. Lessons from the EU show that successful coordination across diverse cultures and languages is possible with a centralised mechanism. The Oman-Saudi partnership is a seed to be nurtured by shared heritage, driven by strategic vision, and fertilised by digital knowledge tools. Let the Knowledge Dialogue Forum not be a mere display of ambitions but the first step in an active plan, of joint research networks, academic exchange, and innovation financing that values minds and shelters ideas. In this complex age, those who remain on the sidelines of knowledge are doomed to follow. Only those who lead the global scientific movement will shape history, not merely record it.
Times of Oman
20 hours ago
- Times of Oman
Oman, Bulgaria discuss ways to enhance bilateral relations
Sofia: The Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Bulgaria today held a round of official talks in the city of Sofia, with the aim of enhancing bilateral relations. The Omani side was headed by Sayyid Badr Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister, while the Bulgarian side was led by Rosen Dimitrov Zhelyazkov, Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria. The session dealt with various aspects of friendship and cooperation between the two countries and explored new vistas for developing partnerships in economic, cultural and scientific fields, with the prime objective of exchanging joint benefits and realizing common interests. During the talks, the two sides also exchanged views about regional and international issues of common concern. They expressed their keenness to foster diplomatic coordination, hold regular consultations and exchange visits to meet their shared goals and values that call for consolidating pillars of peace and security and achieving international justice, peaceful coexistence and prosperity among nations. The session was attended by Yousef Ahmed Al Jabri, the Sultanate of Oman's Non-resident Ambassador to Bulgaria, Munthir Mahfoudh Al Mandheri, Head of the Europe Department at the Foreign Ministry, and other officials from the two countries.
Times of Oman
20 hours ago
- Times of Oman
Oman participates in UN meeting
Geneva:The Sultanate of Oman took part in an interactive dialogue on the report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories during the 59th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva. Oman emphasized the importance of the detailed report, which focuses on the legal and humanitarian dimensions, particularly the role of certain economic entities in practices that entrench Israeli occupation and exacerbate its impact on the Palestinian people. In a speech delivered by Idris Abdulrahman Al Khanjari, Oman's Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva, Oman noted that some companies provide services, infrastructure, or technologies used in illegal settlement projects. This raises concerns under international law, particularly the Geneva Conventions and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Oman stressed that addressing this situation requires effective commitment from states and relevant entities to ensure private sector compliance with international law. It also called for enhanced regulatory frameworks and monitoring tools to curb such violations, along with strengthened legal accountability mechanisms—including for parties directly or indirectly contributing to systematic abuses—to uphold international law and prevent impunity. Furthermore, Oman reaffirmed its steadfast position in supporting international efforts to end the occupation and enable the Palestinian people to exercise their legitimate rights, foremost among them the right to self-determination, based on international legitimacy resolutions and the two-state solution to promote regional security and stability.
