Al Wusta Governorate is located in the center of the Sultanate of Oman. it was named Al Wusta due to its location in the middle of the Sultanate. it is located between northern Oman and southern Oman, connecting northern Oman with its south, and connected from the east to the Arabian Sea and from the west to the Empty Quarter desert, from the north to the Governorate of South Al Sharqiyah, the Governorate of North Sharqiyah, the Governorate of Al Dakhiliyah and the Governorate of Al Dakhiliyah. Al Dhahirah and from the south in the Dhofar Governorate. Al Wusta Governorate consists of 4 states, which are the Wilayat of Mahut, the Wilayat of Duqm, the Wilayat of Haima and the Wilayat of Al Jazir. The center of the province is Hima State. The economic city of the province is Duqm. The area of the governorate is 79,000 square kilometers, and its population is 75,000. Thus, it is the least densely populated of the Omani governorates.
Al Wusta Governorate includes four wilayats: Haima, Mahut, Duqm, and Al Jazir, and the center of the governorate is Haima. The number of elected members of the Municipal Council of Al Wusta Governorate is (8) members representing the various wilayats of the governorate.
The Special Economic Zone at Duqm is considered one of the most important projects established in Al Wusta Governorate, and it represents a global multi-purpose economic interface, and a main center in the region, due to its strategic geopolitical location, which is open to the Arabian Sea. It has achieved many successes, and has become a distinguished position on the global investment map. Because of its competitive advantages, and the incentives and facilities it offers to investors. In addition, the Dry Dock Complex in the Duqm Economic Zone reflects the government’s strategy in the field of developing Al Wusta Governorate, as it is one of the strategic projects that will contribute significantly to supporting the national economy and strengthening the Sultanate’s position internationally. In addition, many water, electricity, roads, fishing ports, health and educational services projects have been opened.
The states of Al Wusta Governorate
Al Wusta Governorate includes four wilayats: Haima, Mahut, Duqm and Al Jazer, and the center of the governorate is Haima.
Haima State
The Wilayat of Hema is famous for its natural reserves. it is unique from other regions of the Sultanate in the presence of wild and rare animals, especially gazelles and the Arabian Oryx (Ibn Sula), where these animals live in the Jalouni area (Arabian Oryx Reserve). Registered in the World Heritage Register of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
There is also a group of caves, the most prominent of which is the “Al-Raki” cave, which is located to the northeast of Jalouni, and water flows from inside it, but it is not suitable for drinking. There is also a cave “Wadi Saraf”, which is located in a slope below ground level, and it can be accessed through an opening connected to a sloping corridor. You feel that this cave has water, but you do not see anything in it.
There is a fourth cave, which they call “Kattar”, and it contains water, but it is not suitable for drinking. In addition to the caves, there are three springs of water, one of which is called “Buy Al-Hawja”, which is a huge rock based on a stone base that forms something like a natural canopy. It also resembles the natural umbrella, and the third eye is the “horn of Anuz”, and this “horn” is characterized by the presence of salt dunes.
Crafts and traditional industries in the state of Hima
Among the most famous traditional and handicraft industries is spinning and weaving, in which they rely on local raw materials of sheep’s wool and other animals that they raise. Handmade wickerwork in its various technical and engineering forms. They also practice the natural leather industry as well.
Mahoot state
Mahut state: There are three islands in the wilayat, the most important of which is the island of Mahout, which is surrounded by mangrove trees on all sides, and the island of Al-Rak, which has a wonderful landscape, and the island of Ebb, which is characterized by the presence of large numbers of seabirds such as seagulls and herons, as well as other types of migratory birds.
As for the coasts of the Wilayat of Mahoot, the most important of them are: Sweihel Kanasah, Ras Ruwais, Al Khilaf, Nabtoot, Ras Al Zakher and Ras Khibbat Sarab.
Crafts and traditional industries in the state of Mahoot
Crafts and traditional industries in the state of Mahout: Spinning and weaving, khurooj and boiling that they make from “hair” and they are used as coverings for homes, as well as they use them as “bedding” and they are called “al-‘eina”.
Aldaqm state
The Wilayat of Duqm is distinguished during the three months from June to September with a wonderful summer weather that is very similar to the autumn season in Dhofar, and it has many beaches extending on the Arabian Sea that are distinguished by their cleanliness and purity of water that still defies pollution. Al Shuair beach, which is about 20 km away from the center of the wilaya. Another beach that fans of what can be called “camp tourism” flock to, which is Ras Madraka Beach, where they come with their cars from neighboring Gulf countries to spend a few days in this wonderful weather among their brothers from the sons of Oman in that governorate that takes the shape of a triangle whose head faces the waters of the Arabian Sea.
And there is the “Al-Ashtan” area, which is a low and wide area dotted with green trees and surrounded by rocky mountains on various sides. Another similar area is called “Al-Janfal” located in the “Al-Bateen” district, and it is a low area that takes its location in the “belly” of the rocky mountains there. It has a spring for water, but it is not suitable for drinking. Among the most prominent valleys of “Duqm” is the “Naqaw” valley, as well as the “Dabk” valley and the “Sai” valley, which is about 2 km from the center of the wilaya on the road leading to the “Sinaw” district in the North Sharqiyah Governorate. The beaches of Duqm are characterized by the presence of some “caves” that were used in the past as a shelter from rain and various climatic fluctuations.
Crafts and traditional industries in the state of Duqm
The residents of the Wilayat of “Duqm” primarily practice hunting, then grazing and some handicrafts. They make “Exodus – Al-Shaml – Al-Karm” and practice the spinning and weaving industry, relying on local raw materials such as sheep’s wool and others.
Al Jazir State
There are many beaches in Al Jazir State, the most important of which is the “Rima” area, which is about 50 km away from “Al-Kohl”, where the center of the state is. The residents are among the “Samar” trees, as well as “Mother” and “Fady” beaches.
Crafts and traditional industries in the state of Al-Jazir
The people of the state make oars and fishing nets due to its uniqueness in many beaches located on the waters of the Arabian Sea. They also make some tools from animal skins as well as testicles.
Economic sites in Al Wusta Governorate
Duqm Special Economic Zone is one of the most prominent and newest economic zones.
Duqm Special Economic Zone
The Special Economic Zone at Duqm is considered one of the most prominent and modern economic zones. It was established in 2011 to be a new addition to the national economy through the projects it embraces, such as the Port of Duqm, the Dry Dock for Ship Repair, Duqm Airport, and the refinery. Zones have also been allocated for heavy industries, petrochemicals, medium and light industries, and other areas for tourism investments. The year 2016 AD witnessed the annexation of the Ras Markaz region to the Special Economic Zone at Duqm, increasing the area of the region from (1745) square kilometers to (2000) square kilometers, and in 2017 AD an agreement was signed for the right to use the land between the Special Economic Zone Authority at Duqm and the company Oman Tank Company “OTCO”, which is a subsidiary of the Oman Oil Company, the investment arm of the government in the oil and gas sector and related industries, and Oman Oil Company is looking forward to making Ras the center of a global oil storage station.
In 2017, the foundation stone was laid and the start of work on (10) projects in the Chinese-Omani Industrial City in Duqm was announced, with investments amounting to about (3.2) billion dollars, representing the first phase of the city, whose investments are expected to reach about (10.7) billion dollars.
Duqm port
The Port of Duqm is one of the large economic projects that will support the Omani national economy and contribute to diversifying sources of income by attracting huge industrial investments and the subsequent establishment of special economic zones and the development of various sectors, logistical activities and other supporting works.
Duqm airport
Duqm Airport represents a gateway to an area with great economic and industrial potential. The airport primarily serves commercial traffic, but may become part of the tourism industry. The early operation of the airport took place on July 23, 2014, with the aim of benefiting from the ready-made packages. The airport received about (16,489) passengers until the end of 2015 on the Muscat-Duqm route, at a rate of 4 flights per week. The work of the third package (passenger terminal and associated facilities) began at the beginning of 2016 for a period of two years.
