The Oman government has expanded the total area of the Special Economic Zone at Duqm region to 2,000 sq km from the previous 1,745 sq km to help accommodate oil storage activities at the Ras Markaz area of the sultanate, said a report.

The move comes following a royal decree designating the Ras Markaz area’s development project as a public utility project, reported the Oman Observer.

The Ras Markaz crude oil terminal is considered a warehousing facility matching the best international standards and is set to be developed into the largest of its kind in the Middle East region, stated the report citing a Special Economic Zone Authority at Duqm (Sezad) official.

An area exceeding 1,600 hectares has been earmarked with a crude oil storage capacity of 200 million barrels, it stated.

The project’s most important components include setting up of warehouses for storage and export of crude oil which would enhance the benefit from crude oil trade sector thereby boosting benefit from the related industries.

The Sezad has accorded special attention to the project due to its socio-economic value, the report added.