Oman moves to scale AI ecosystem with new special economic zone
Oman has moved to formalise its artificial intelligence strategy with a Royal Decree from Haitham bin Tarik creating a dedicated economic zone for AI in the capital governorate of Muscat.Oman establishes a dedicated Special Artificial Intelligence Zone in Muscat through a Royal Decree issued by Sultan Haitham bin Tarik.The zone will offer incentives under existing free zone laws to attract global tech firms and local innovators, with OPAZ overseeing its development.The initiative forms part of Omans Vision 2040 strategy to expand AI adoption across key sectors and boost foreign investment in emerging technologies. State media said the new district will be called the Special Artificial Intelligence Zone, positioning it as a central pillar within Oman‘s Vision 2040 roadmap for digital transformation. Officials described it as one of the most structured policy steps so far to anchor the country’s technology ambitions in a defined regulatory and investment framework. Under the decree, the board of Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) has been tasked with appointing an operator to oversee the zones development and day-to-day management. The process will be coordinated with the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology, linking infrastructure planning with regulatory oversight and digital policy. Companies operating