Muscat Daily reported that Indian steel casings manufacturer Dunes Industries is setting up an USD 8 million steel foundry at the Freezone Sohar in Oman to cater to the growing Middle East market.

According to a report, production from the foundry is expected to begin in February 2012.

The management of the first company to start construction at the free zone expects the plant to employ 300 people, including Omanis, who will be given specialized training, with the facility expected to eventually generate a turnover of USD 12 million annually.

Speaking after a ceremony organized by Sohar Industrial Port Company to award it the free zone's first environmental permit, Mr C Tauro GM of projects for Dunes Industries said that the region has great potential for its steel casings, which will be used in crushing plants and mining industries across the GCC and Africa.

He added that "There is a lot of scope and potential for mining in Oman. I believe it would be the biggest sector here after the oil and gas sector. There is great potential not only here, but also in places like Ras al Khaimah and Qatar."

(Sourced from www.muscatdaily.com)