By: Fatima Badawi
Today, the Sohar Free Zone in the Sultanate of Oman celebrates the laying of the foundation stone for a silicon plant project with an investment exceeding 520 million Omani rials, expected to open by the year 2025.
The project, spanning an area of 160,000 square meters, aims to produce high-quality metallic silicon with a capacity of 100,000 tons annually. Production will involve pouring liquid metallic silicon from the furnace into molds, followed by cooling either through molds or continuous casting. After cooling, the metallic silicon will be ground and packaged for global export.
Reflecting Oman’s commitment to encouraging local investment and attracting foreign investments, the project represents a continuation of efforts initiated by the Sultanate to achieve the goals of “Oman Vision 2040.”
Dr. Saleh bin Saeed Masan, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion for Commerce and Industry, emphasized the importance of the industrial sector as a driver of comprehensive development in Oman. He noted that the project by “United Solar” is one of the investment projects in Oman with a production capacity of up to 100,000 tons annually, demonstrating the industrial sector’s ability to attract significant foreign investments and create new industrial opportunities.
Dr. Masan explained that Oman’s Industrial Strategy 2040 targets a range of industries, notably knowledge-based industries relying on research, development, and advanced technology. The strategy aims to enhance the integration of modern technologies and harness innovation within a knowledge-based economy framework to establish knowledge-based industries and reinforce Oman’s role as a leading industrial and technological nation.
Furthermore, Dr. Masan highlighted that the project will enhance the position of the Port of Sohar and the free zone by increasing future handling capacity. It represents a significant achievement in economic growth and diversification in the region to meet the growing demand for metallic silicon in the markets of Asia, Europe, and North America.
