Latest news with #SoharFreezone
Times of Oman
02-07-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Agreement signed to establish mattress manufacturing facility in Sohar Freezone
Muscat: Sohar Port and Freezone has signed a land lease agreement with Sweet Night Fine Home (FZC) LLC to establish a mattress manufacturing facility in Sohar Freezone. This investment reinforces Sohar's role in driving industrial diversification and sets the foundation for clustering opportunities within the home and comfort manufacturing sector. The project also advances integration into global supply chains, with the potential to localize sourcing and strengthen regional value chains in the long term. The factory will cover an area of 96,000 square meters, with a total investment of USD 70 million. It is designed to produce up to three million mattresses annually, with an initial export focus on the United States, followed by expansion into GCC markets, India, the European Union, and the local market in Oman. Raw materials will be sourced from China, Thailand, Japan, and Korea, enabling the company to manufacture high-quality sleep products for international markets from a single strategic base in Sohar. Johnson Lim, General Manager of Sweet Night Fine Home's upcoming factory in Sohar Freezone commented, 'Our decision to invest in Sohar Freezone was driven by its unmatched location, efficiency, and long-term potential as a regional manufacturing hub. This investment marks a crucial step in our regional expansion, and Sohar Freezone provides the ideal environment to support our manufacturing ambitions.' 'We're proud to welcome Sweet Night Fine Home (FZC) LLC to Sohar Freezone as part of our expanding base of international manufacturers,' said Mohammed Al Shizawi, Acting CEO of Sohar Freezone. 'At Sohar, we focus on attracting investments that drive economic growth and introduce new industrial capabilities. This project underscores the strength of our integrated logistics ecosystem and supports our efforts to build a diversified, resilient industrial base aligned with Oman Vision 2040.' The establishment of this manufacturing hub is expected to stimulate the local value chain by attracting complementary industries such as textiles, packaging, and logistics, thereby fostering the development of a specialised sleep-products ecosystem within the freezone. Sohar Freezone reaffirms its role as a catalyst for sustainable industrial development and a key player in global supply chain diversification.
Muscat Daily
03-06-2025
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Sohar Freezone signs deal for new ferrochrome plant
Muscat – Sohar Freezone has signed a land lease agreement with Matrix Alloys, a leader in low-carbon ferrochrome production, to build a new state-of-the-art, environmentally friendly ferrochrome plant. This initiative strengthens Oman's role as a regional hub for sustainable industrial development and supports the goals of Oman's 2050 Net Zero commitment to reduce carbon emissions and diversify the economy. The project, with an investment of $10mn, will occupy 2.2 hectares within Sohar Freezone and aims to produce 20,000 tonnes annually of micro-carbon and low-carbon ferrochrome. The facility will meet stringent purity and sustainability standards demanded by key markets including Europe, Japan, South Korea, and India. The first phase is expected to be operational by 2026. Utilising an electric-based production process that avoids coal and heavy-oil pollution, the plant will significantly reduce its environmental footprint and operate with zero waste gas or wastewater emissions. Furthermore, it seamlessly fits into Oman Vision 2040, promoting sustainable industrialisation and encouraging foreign investment to drive long-term economic growth and environmental stewardship In a press statement, Bailin Yi, Chairman of Matrix Alloys, said, 'Launching our first international ferroalloy plant in Sohar Freezone offers us a strategic location with excellent infrastructure, market access, and competitive, stable, and low-cost energy essential for the energy-intensive smelting processes. We are committed to delivering premium low-carbon ferrochrome products that support global stainless-steel producers and promote a cleaner industrial future.' Mohammed al Shizawi, Acting CEO of Sohar Freezone, said, 'This agreement underscores the trust that international investors place in Sohar Port and Freezone's integrated industrial ecosystem. Matrix Alloys is bringing advanced, sustainable manufacturing capabilities to our ferroalloy cluster, aligning perfectly with our vision to attract clean technology investments and strengthen Sohar Freezone's position as a competitive gateway for global trade.' Matrix Alloys will benefit from Sohar Freezone's proximity to raw material suppliers and customers, as well as direct port access, and a supportive regulatory environment that reduces operational costs. The plant also plans to secure ISO 14001 and ISO 14067 certifications to ensure full carbon emission traceability and compliance with international standards such as CBAM, EcoLeaf, and K-ETS. As Sohar Freezone approaches full capacity in its initial development phase, this agreement marks a significant milestone in expanding Oman's green industrial base and attracting technology-driven industries to the region.
Times of Oman
01-06-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Sohar Emergency Response Organisation inaugurated
Muscat: Under the patronage of Eng. Saeed bin Hamoud bin Saeed Al Mawali, Minister of Transport, Communication, and Information Technology, Sohar Port and Freezone hosted the inauguration ceremony of the Sohar Emergency Response Organisation, a milestone that redefines industrial safety and resilience in Oman. The Sohar Emergency Response Organisation is a fully integrated initiative, jointly established by Sohar Port and Freezone in close partnership with its tenant community. Designed to serve all stakeholders, from employees and contractors to port users and visitors ,this model represents a unified, community-wide approach to emergency preparedness. Its collective nature is what sets it apart as a first-of-its-kind initiative in the region. Ensuring the safety of people and the protection of valuable assets are fundamental principles at Sohar. The Emergency Response Organisation enhances risk mitigation, safeguards facilities, and ensures business continuity, directly supporting Sohar's mission to be a reliable, safe, and sustainable industrial hub. Eng. Saeed bin Hamoud bin Saeed Al Mawali, Minister of Transport, Communication, and Information Technology, emphasized the broader significance of this achievement: 'The Sohar Emergency Response Organisation represents a critical step in aligning with Oman's vision for resilience and sustainability. By enhancing safety standards and ensuring operational continuity, it supports not only Sohar's growth but also Oman's strategic objectives in the logistics sector.' 'This is not just a facility, it is a strategic outcome of collaboration,' said Abdullah Al Jabri, Chairman of the Board of SoharPort and Freezone. 'Together with our tenants, we have built a shared resource that protects the entire Sohar ecosystem. This unified model reflects our collective responsibility toward safety, operational excellence, and long-term resilience.' Operating 24/7 and equipped with advanced technologies, the center provides rapid response to a wide range of emergency scenarios, from medical incidents and industrial fires to hazardous materials and technical rescues. Developed in collaboration with international experts such as the Safety Authority Rotterdam, and operated by Unity Fire and Safety Services LLC, the facility aligns with the best global practices adapted to the local context. The inauguration of the Sohar Emergency Response Organisation sets a new regional benchmark in industrial safety, not only for its operational capability, but for its ability to unite diverse stakeholders under one mission: protecting the entire Sohar community through collective action.
