Oman's Special Economic Zone Authority at Duqm (Sezad) has awarded RO625 million ($1.62 billion) construction contracts till date and with new infrastructure projects in the tendering stage the figure is set to hit a new high, according to a report.

Sezad has also awarded a consultancy project deal worth over RO30 million ($78 million), reported Oman Observer, citing a senior official.

"Projects awarded last month alone totalled around RO49 million ($127 million) in value, underscoring the pace at which the sultanate’s most ambitious economic zone is being developed," said Hussain Al Zadjali, the head of building projects at Sezad.

A number of prestigious contracts are currently under tender and due for award including those for a service corridor to the $6-billion Duqm Refinery, expansion of the water distribution network, construction of new roads and bridges, establishment of drainage systems at Duqm Port, and various consultancy services for various initiatives, he added.

Just south of the SEZ, Galfar Engineering & Contracting is building the nation’s largest fishery harbour, which will anchor an industrial fisheries hub planned as part of the SEZ, said the report.

The contract, comprising marine infrastructure and road networks linking the facility to the SEZ, is due for completion in Q2 2019, it added.