RO14mn pact inked to construct fish canning plant in Duqm

RO14mn pact inked to construct fish canning plant in Duqm

Muscat – The International Seafood Company, a subsidiary of Fisheries Development Oman, has signed a construction contract with a local company for a plant for canning tuna, sardines and other seafood products at a cost of RO14mn.

The canning plant, with an estimated investment of around RO30mn, will be built within the Fisheries Industries Zone in Duqm as part of a usufruct land agreement with the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones.

Designed to the highest international and food safety specifications, the plant will have a production capacity of 30,000 tonnes annually, subject to future expansion. Commercial production is scheduled by 2024.

One of the successful projects emerging from the Tanfeedh Programme, the plant is in line with Oman Vision 2040. It will help achieve the sultanate’s vision of economic diversification by maximising returns from fish landings and localising the value-added chain of fish products before exporting to global markets, a statement from International Seafood Company said.

‘The project will positively support Oman’s GDP through local supply chains, from which many Omani small and medium companies will benefit, enhancing investment opportunities in the sector and creating specialised and business support job opportunities.’

The company will also, through a strategic plan, launch an