The Duqm port was officially opened in the presence of the Belgium’s King Philippe and Queen Mathilde.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AS63LY64YVDVRH6W37UZJLVVLA.jpg?smart=true&auth=344530692e1f371678ae2cdbd56eb97b8aeb251dd514b1f654c9df709f2e1ab2&width=400&height=225)
The Port of Duqm in Oman officially opened in February, 2022. Photo: Port of Duqm
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TAFOYCZQX5HPPEQDQZN7LMFFDY.jpg?smart=true&auth=4c6fcf1321763889016a5da1a971b77194531d6c809127d9962904f9061a1417&width=400&height=225)
Oman plans to begin construction of the Middle East’s first space rocket launch facility in the port town of Duqm this year.
The Etlaq Space Launch Complex, a project by the National Aerospace Services Company (Nascom), could see its first rocket launch early next year. Photo: Port of Duqm
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/L2TN56FJOD6QQVSIE7ZA66DRCI.jpg?smart=true&auth=32ba4b3c20a9cf167c53aaa35e3d7027e20a0f97518985355024dc5bb4579dac&width=400&height=225)
Saudi Arabia said it would invest US$120 million (Dh44.7m) in the development of Oman's Duqm port into a major industrial hub. Fatma Alarimi / Reuters
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This picture taken on April 27, 2021 shows a partial view of the Rock Garden, also known as Duqm Stone Park, in the port town of Duqm in al-Wusta province in central-eastern Oman, about 540 kilometres south of the Gulf sultanate's capital Muscat. The Rock Garden is one of Oman's major geological sites, featuring unusual rock formations. / AFP / Karim SAHIB
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YBBRDF752NYQ536I3UOAMWXWSY.jpg?smart=true&auth=9ef1b383f41df3ce48e1f989b0ac4ed399011ed024ee364322e5f2e8e98e8939&width=400&height=225)
A Chinese investor poses for a picture on land in the Omani port town of Duqm where an industrial city, including an oil refinery, is due to be built following an economic agreement in 2016. Mohammed Mahjoub / AFP
The Duqm port was officially opened in the presence of the Belgium’s King Philippe and Queen Mathilde.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AS63LY64YVDVRH6W37UZJLVVLA.jpg?smart=true&auth=344530692e1f371678ae2cdbd56eb97b8aeb251dd514b1f654c9df709f2e1ab2&width=400&height=225)
The Port of Duqm in Oman officially opened in February, 2022. Photo: Port of Duqm
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TAFOYCZQX5HPPEQDQZN7LMFFDY.jpg?smart=true&auth=4c6fcf1321763889016a5da1a971b77194531d6c809127d9962904f9061a1417&width=400&height=225)
Oman plans to begin construction of the Middle East’s first space rocket launch facility in the port town of Duqm this year.
The Etlaq Space Launch Complex, a project by the National Aerospace Services Company (Nascom), could see its first rocket launch early next year. Photo: Port of Duqm
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/L2TN56FJOD6QQVSIE7ZA66DRCI.jpg?smart=true&auth=32ba4b3c20a9cf167c53aaa35e3d7027e20a0f97518985355024dc5bb4579dac&width=400&height=225)
Saudi Arabia said it would invest US$120 million (Dh44.7m) in the development of Oman's Duqm port into a major industrial hub. Fatma Alarimi / Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CZY2LZ4Q3A5D45XGH7DXXZT3NY.jpg?smart=true&auth=3deabfb26cabe0be294c3e7dd6ecb3542a145ae5ee8f6ab048b42240cacbe235&width=400&height=225)
This picture taken on April 27, 2021 shows a partial view of the Rock Garden, also known as Duqm Stone Park, in the port town of Duqm in al-Wusta province in central-eastern Oman, about 540 kilometres south of the Gulf sultanate's capital Muscat. The Rock Garden is one of Oman's major geological sites, featuring unusual rock formations. / AFP / Karim SAHIB
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YBBRDF752NYQ536I3UOAMWXWSY.jpg?smart=true&auth=9ef1b383f41df3ce48e1f989b0ac4ed399011ed024ee364322e5f2e8e98e8939&width=400&height=225)
A Chinese investor poses for a picture on land in the Omani port town of Duqm where an industrial city, including an oil refinery, is due to be built following an economic agreement in 2016. Mohammed Mahjoub / AFP
The Duqm port was officially opened in the presence of the Belgium’s King Philippe and Queen Mathilde.
Oman is building the Middle East’s first spaceport
Construction of the Etlaq Space Launch Complex is expected to begin this year
![Sarwat Nasir](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F5a1721d1-b1fc-47a7-8c35-985395d5a5ae.png?smart=true&auth=59b598b8295381dbbb5492b5ef6a2ffa0d77e07c0a1086053fcdbee600f14b7f&width=70&height=70)
Sarwat Nasir
18 January, 2023
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