Oman’s Khazaen Economic City attracts USD39M in pharmaceutical investment to boost domestic medicine production

OMAN—Khazaen Economic City in Oman has secured a major new pharmaceutical investment that will strengthen the country’s growing medicine manufacturing sector.

Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries and Medical Devices Corporation LLC (GPIMC) signed an agreement to build a fully integrated human pharmaceutical manufacturing plant within the economic city’s specialized “Medicine City” zone located in Al Batinah South Governorate.

The company plans to develop the first phase of this facility on a 10,000 square metre site with an initial investment of RO 15 million (USD39 million).

Senior officials from Oman’s Ministry of Health attended the signing ceremony, demonstrating the government’s commitment to building pharmaceutical self-sufficiency and reducing the nation’s dependence on imported medicines.

GPIMC’s new plant will manufacture an extensive range of pharmaceutical products to serve the local market.

The production lineup includes injectables, both plain and coated tablets, gelatin capsules, syrups, suspensions, nasal sprays, powders, granules, creams, and topical ointments.

The facility will also produce specialized preparations, including certain antibiotic powders for injection.

An integrated primary and secondary packaging department will operate within the plant to ensure all products meet Ministry of Health regulatory standards.

Hamid bin Saif al Sabahi, founder and executive director of Adawaa Al Wataniya Pharmaceutical Consultancy (AAPC), served as regulatory consultant for GPIMC on this project.

He emphasized that the investment aligns with Oman’s national strategy to enhance pharmaceutical security while promoting value-added industries.

Al Sabahi noted that this latest agreement brings total investment in Khazaen Economic City to approximately RO 175 million (USD 454 million), solidifying its status as a leading pharmaceutical hub in the Sultanate.

The GPIMC investment joins a growing portfolio of pharmaceutical projects at Khazaen that address both human healthcare and veterinary needs.

At least eight other initiatives are currently moving through various stages of planning, construction, and operation across the Medicine City cluster.

Technology Medical & Educational Supplies Company is developing a major veterinary vaccine facility with the capacity to produce around two billion doses annually, supporting livestock health, agricultural productivity, and national food security.

Biogenmix is building a specialized insulin manufacturing plant to reduce reliance on imported medicines.

Aviso Pharmaceuticals is constructing a large integrated pharmaceutical complex that will produce a wide range of drug products.

Opal Biopharmaceuticals is currently advancing its second phase of expansion to scale up biologics production.

Khazaen also operates a dedicated titanium dental implants factory serving both local and regional markets.

Plans are moving forward for human vaccine manufacturing facilities that align with Oman’s long-term health security objectives.

These manufacturing investments benefit from purpose-built pharmaceutical storage, warehousing, and cold-chain distribution facilities.

Smaller plants producing medical inputs, consumables, and specialized supplies support the larger drug producers operating within the zone.

These diverse projects are creating an integrated ecosystem that spans medicines, medical devices, logistics, and supply chains.

Khazaen’s strategic location near Muscat International Airport, Suwaiq Port, and major road networks strengthens its function as a national and regional distribution hub.

The broader vision integrates manufacturing with storage, logistics, and eventually research, development, and training, positioning Khazaen as a central pillar of Oman’s healthcare industrialization strategy.