Oman will use South Korea's expertise in the development of the sultanate’s first ‘smart city’ at the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Duqm, said a report.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) to this effect was signed by the two countries in Muscat yesterday (July 25), the Oman Daily Observer report said.

The MoU was signed during the Oman-Korea Business Forum, which was attended by high government officials from Korea led by Prime Minister Lee Nak-Yon, while Oman was represented by Dr Ali bin Masoud Al Sunaidy, Minister of Commerce and Industry, and Dr Mohammed bin Hamed al Rumhy, Minister of Oil and Gas, it said.

Saleh bin Hamoud al Hasani, director general of investors services at the Special Economic Zone Authority of Duqm (SEZAD),  said that the MoU marks the first step in an ambitious effort to apply the smart city concept to Duqm.

He added that as per the agreement, the Korean side will undertake a comprehensive study that will explore how smart city principles can be adopted in Duqm.

South Korea is credited with building the world’s first ‘smart city’ — the Songdo International Business District spread across 600 hectares along the waterfront in Incheon Province. The city, costing over $40 billion, will feature more than 100 buildings.