SOHAR Freezone signed a Land Lease Agreement with the National Veterinary Vaccine Company (NVVCO) to establish its first animal vaccine manufacturing facility at the Freezone.

In a signing ceremony held at Hormuz Grand Hotel Muscat, under the patronage of His Excellency Dr. Ahmed bin Nasser Al Bakri, undersecretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Recourses, His Excellency Khalid Mohammed Abdulhaleem Radhi Ambassador of Egypt to the Sultanate of Oman, CEO of SOHAR Freezone Omar Al Mahrizi and Yaqoob bin Mansoor Al Ruqaishi, Chairman of NVVCO finalised the agreement which will see an animal vaccine manufacturing facility on 10,000 square meter land capable of producing 144 million doses per year to treat and prevent illnesses such as Foot Mouth Disease and Bird Flu. NVVCO also signed a second agreement with the Veterinary Serum and Vaccine Research Institute in Eygpt who will provide consultations, scientific and biological research and technical support to the facility.

Yaqoob Al Ruqaishi, Chairman of NVVCO, said, “The National Veterinary Vaccines Company was established to meet the demand for commonly-used vaccines in the Livestock sector. Vaccinating livestock is essential for maintaining healthy farms, flocks and herds, increasing production and preventing economic loss to livestock breeders and poultry producers. Being based at SOHAR, we are able to use the Port and Freezone’s world-class facilities to produce, transport and export vaccines to key markets across the Middle East and North Africa and increase the market share of Omani-made products.” He also added, “ We aim to make the Sultanate among the countries that produce veterinary vaccines and strengthen the biosecurity programs for animal health in the country.”

Speaking after the event, SOHAR Freezone CEO Omar Al Mahrizi, said, “We are proud to welcome the National Veterinary Vaccine Company to SOHAR. This is one of the first pharma projects at the Freezone and we hope it will encourage further investments in a sector of high potential. It will make a significant contribution to several of Oman’s key industries, including agriculture and food sectors and generate new revenue streams for the national economy.”

The production of 144 million animal vaccines will play a major role in protecting animal health and public health as well as greatly reducing the need for antibiotics to treat animals and ensuring Omani food products meet international import standards. Established in 2019, the National Veterinary Vaccine Company is a joint venture between Oman Food Investment Holding Company.