I am laying a wager on a Gulf generation that cherishes exploration apart from secluding themselves in their local milieus at a time when the world has turned in a globe of more cohesive and interlacing interests and destiny.
Even before the oil boom era, Gulf citizens had relished exploration as much as has been availed to them by the lack-luster means of transportation prevalent at the time. But nowadays, citizens of the Gulf have been availed full-fledged means of touring the remotest corners of the globe as wandering tourists. But the pivotal question is: have they bothered to make a detour to Duqm? Why not? What do they know about Duqm, and the incessant economic reports on Duqm? Aren’t young men of the Gulf desirous of probing opportunities available to them in their own locale, the Gulf region?
Duqm is a city that is being constructed in Central Oman, at a distance of approx. 500 km from the capital, Muscat, which places it under the impact of the monsoon, rendering its atmosphere mild to nigh ten months a year, apart from the blistering climate of the Gulf.
In addition, there is the port of Duqm and its dry dock, not to mention its new airport, which aggregately constitute a comprehensive logistic base: a city with international constituents whose properties are gradually coming to the surface.
Once construction of Duqm Refinery has been completed under Kuwaiti partnership by the year 2022, the whole landscape will witness drastic change, not only in respect of the petrochemical industries complex that was be built adjacent to it, but also in connection with the human mobility that will follow the event.
How many cities of the world are under construction in reality and not on paper? If any, Duqm will be one of these. Can’t the young men of the Gulf foresee what Duqm would be like in the coming few years? Or would they bide their time until construction of the city has been finalized in order to contemplate paying it a visit?
We have been accustomed to specific modes of tourism. So, why is it different with Duqm?
Duqm represents a natural geological museum that includes geological relics that narrate evolution of the earth. The Sultanate has therefore accorded it a natural reserve, and a rock park that render it one of the world’s rarities as well as a geological mine for unique tourist investment or a geo hub for research.
The beaches of Duqm, which are well known for their astounding beauty, abound in the depths of their waters with the finest species of fish. The bulk of the fisheries of these beaches, that include crustaceans and mollusks, are exported to the Gulf countries, which also qualifies them for fishing tourism. This is one of the traits that still survives out of Duqm’s deep sea heritage.
The talk about economic diversification in the Gulf is a monotonous repetition of the same theme because few enterprises that stray away from the oil pivot have been successful. Consequently, what are the natural resources that we can build on other than crude oil?
The fisheries industries complex which Duqm has initiated and allocated a specious place in its plan as well as constructed for it the largest fishing ports in Oman represents a glimmer of hope regarding the qualitative trend towards economic diversification. Considering that the fisheries industries have a chain like all other industries and that the items that can be extracted from the marine wealth are countless, will Gulf citizens head for investment in these?
It is pleasant to pursue peace of mind and serenity on the shores of the Arabic Sea, exploring promising opportunities where sources of information for major investors are free-flowing and copious. Still, my wager pivots on a generation of pioneer Gulf businessmen. Why shouldn’t Duqm be one of the choices of these Gulf entrepreneurs?
The Sultanate has given Duqm Economic Authority expansive powers for establishing a new spirit for polarizing investment. It has even recently launched a package of laws and legislations for foreign capital.
The talk on Duqm’s geographical location and the strategic significance of that location is not new. It rather has a momentous historical dimension when the Flamengo, which was carrying the Former Sultan, Sultan Said bin Taimur, docked at Duqm in 1954, thus making Duqm the springing point for oil exploration deep in the central regions of the Sultanate.
Because Duqm is the most convenient location for the Sultanate’s oil sources, it came as no surprise that the third oil refinery of the Sultanate was built in the city since this will avail both the Sultanate and its investors a safe outlet away from Bab al-Mandab and Hormuz straights. This further saves the cost of shipping insurance which tends to hike following each turmoil.
The importance of the strategic location is not determined by the geographical factors alone. It is also determined by the economic powers that surround that location as represented in the remarkable African growth and the purchasing power of the Gulf states with their youthful demography. This denotes that it is located in a human growth hub and consequently amidst a notable consumer power.
Competition enhances the spirit of creativity. Today we have at hand the Chinese, Indian, Korean and Kuwaiti investors in Duqm. It is time to capitalize on these opportunities in Duqm. When all is said and done, the real power of Gulf investors and the realization of their common vision lie in their integration and their agglomeration.
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