Exploring economic transformation and the next generation of talent in a rapidly emerging global investment hub.

Building a place to live, work and play

Held in Oman’s Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD), the Duqm Economic Forum brought together global and regional leaders to explore how this growing hub can balance business ambition with quality of life.
Saffron’s Alfredo Fraile, Executive Director of Growth, joined the Talent Magnet: Live, Work &amp; Play panel to explore how Duqm can become a place people choose to live, not just work.

The panel discussed how cities can attract and retain young talent through housing, education, cultural vibrancy, and designing for both connection and ambition. With more than 65% of Oman’s population under 35, making Duqm a place to build a life is essential to its long-term success.
At Saffron, we’ve helped define the future of places like <a href="https://saffron-consultants.com/work/soudah" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Soudah</a> in Saudi Arabia and the <a href="https://saffron-consultants.com/work/city-of-vienna" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">City of Vienna,</a> and studied what makes the world’s top city brands thrive in our latest <a href="https://saffron-consultants.com/journal/city-brand-barometer-2025-tourism-edition" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">City Brand Barometer.</a> That same lens has shaped our work with <a href="https://saffron-consultants.com/work/the-crown-estate" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Crown Estate</a> and the <a href="https://saffron-consultants.com/work/made-in-turkey" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Turkish Exporters Assembly,</a> helping redefine how places and nations compete by shaping perception and unlocking global relevance.<a href="https://saffron-consultants.com/journal/city-brand-barometer-2025-tourism-edition" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"></a>
Congratulations to the organisers for a forward-thinking forum and to Duqm, on the road ahead.

Shaping Oman’s Future

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