The first phase of Octal Petrochemicals’ integrated PET complex in the south-east city of Salalah was officially inaugurated on Saturday .

Maqbool bin Ali bin Sultan, minister of commerce and industry,  unveiled a plaque at the facility, which produces PET sheet for consumer products packaging, and cut a ribbon at the entrance to the factory floor to mark the opening.

He later toured the plant and surveyed the adjacent PET sheet and PET resins plant which starts commercial operation in October.

Earlier in the day, Octal spoke to a gathering of government dignitaries, business people and diplomats on the company’s success since the start of operations in Salalah in 2006. Maqbool made an award to Octal recognising its dramatic progress as the first plant in the Salalah Free Zone.

Rashid Saif Al Sadi of Octal said: “It is an honour to receive the minister for the official opening of Phase One of our complex. The backing of the Salalah Free Zone and the Omani authorities has helped make Octal a rapid success and enabled the company’s emergence as a global player in PET resins.'

The phase one was operational in five months and we expect commercial start-up of phase two within 19 months, he noted.

Octal managing director Nicholas Barakat said the company’s progress was a great advertisement for Salalah Free Zone and lauded the decision of other companies to join there.

“Octal has shown itself to be a reliable partner of government, investors and business – and our neighbours will also raise the profile of Salalah Free Zone as an ideal location for export-focused manufacturing,” he added.

At the unveiling, Octal management presented an award to the minister for his personal support of the company’s investment. Octal also presented awards to representatives of Salalah Free Zone.-TradeArabia News Service