Saturday 25 / October / 2025
Muscat: The Duqm Economic Forum 2025 themed "Leading Change" will begin on Monday (27 October 2025), in the Special Economic Zone at Duqm.
The two-day forum will be held under the auspices of Sultan Salim Al Habsi, Minister of Finance.
Eng. Ahmed Hassan Al Dheeb, Deputy Chairman of the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (Opaz) and Head of the Duqm Economic Forum Supervisory Committee, affirmed that the forum serves as a platform where experts, specialists, and investors meet with decision-makers. The objective is to attract more large, multinational projects, particularly in tourism and urban development, and to promote the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in key investment sectors, including smart and sustainable manufacturing and green finance.
In a statement to Oman News Agency (ONA), Al Dheeb said that the second edition of the forum will see broad participation from within and outside Oman, with over 400 participants and 54 speakers and session moderators, including 23 international experts and 19 Omani experts, representing more than 50 nationalities.
He indicated that the forum will cover three main themes.
The first theme will be "Integrated Tourism and Lifestyle Development," which will review opportunities for developing Sezad’s tourism potential and introducing attractive products that enhance lifestyle.
The second theme is "Green Manufacturing and Renewable Industries." It focuses on the green industries sector, which relies on renewable energy and has major investments currently under study and implementation.
The third theme is "AI-Powered Smart Cities and Digital Innovation," which will focus on researching the role of technology and data in designing smart and resilient cities for the future.
The first day will include four sessions: The opening session, "Opportunity Unleashed," will discuss the importance of Oman's recent economic achievements in enhancing its competitive advantage. It will highlight Oman Vision 2040 as a key catalyst for investment in renewable energy, tourism, manufacturing, logistics, and sectors such as fisheries, data networks, and national competency development.
The second session, "The Duqm Experience," will focus on building a new concept for luxury and adventure tourism, as well as the comparative and competitive advantages of the Special Economic Zone at Duqm.
The third session, "Building a Regenerative Tourism Model," will explore how Duqm can take the lead by implementing innovative business models and investment frameworks that enhance natural environments while achieving sustainable economic value.
The fourth session, "The Green Blueprint," will revolve around leveraging AI, renewable energy, and green hydrogen to support a sustainable industrial revolution.
The second day of the Duqm Economic Forum will focus on industrial resilience and futuristic thinking in shaping Duqm's infrastructure, smart borders, talent attraction for living, working, and recreation, and empowering communities through tourism development.
