Oman’s Special Economic Zone (SEZ) at Duqm is expected to receive investments in a wide array of automotive components and vehicle parts manufacturing plants, following the launch of Oman’s first bus manufacturing project, said a report.

The cornerstone for the bus manufacturing project was laid last week, added the Oman Daily Observer report.

According to officials, the joint Omani-Qatari backed Karwa Motors bus manufacturing venture will create opportunities for local small businesses and vendors to set up ancillary plants dedicated to the manufacture of spare parts for the sultanate’s maiden bus project as well as future automotive investments envisioned in the SEZ, it said.

An official added that while Karwa Motors will initially commence operations with the assembly of buses and coaches arriving in Duqm as complete-knocked-down (CKD) units, over time our plant will evolve into a full-fledged manufacturing complex, supported by ancillary plants run by vendors.

He further said that at that point in time, there will be a substantive localisation component to the project, with local businesses and SMEs playing a key role in supplying all kinds of parts for our buses and coaches.