Dr. Nasser Saidi’s comments on the agreement between Dubai’s global ports operator DP World and Oman to develop and operate the Al Rawdah Special Economic Zone appeared in an article in The National titled “Oman’s new economic zone signals Gulf intent in global supply chains amid trade war” published on 28th May 2025.
The comments are posted below.
The UAE’s experience in the development, efficient and profitable management and sound governance of special economic zones and free zones over the past 40 years can provide a valuable framework for Oman’s initiatives, said Nasser Saidi, president of Nasser Saidi and Associates, former Lebanon economy minister and vice-governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon.
The new SEZ will also offer opportunities for well-established businesses in the UAE to transfer knowledge and skills, best practices in governance, infrastructure development and investor services can be shared. Oman’s SEZs can learn from the UAE about smart ports, blockchain in customs clearance and the use of artificial intelligence in logistics, he added.
By developing specialised zones and infrastructure, Oman can enhance connectivity and economic co-operation across the region, integrate itself into regional value chains and position itself as a key player in regional trade and economic networks, Mr Saidi said.
This would complement the UAE’s established role in global logistics and trade and enhance the region’s resilience against global supply chain disruptions, he added.
