40% of Ain al Kasfah project's second phase completed
Rustaq – The South Batinah Municipality has announced 40% completion of the second phase of the Ain al Kasfah development project.
The Governor's Office stated that the project, featuring ten swimming pools for men and seven for women, a dedicated mosque for women, shaded falaj areas, is progressing steadily.
With information signs marking fenced zones and upgraded facilities enhancing visitor experience, the project is expected to attract more tourists, reinforcing Ain al Kasfah's status as a prime destination and contributing to local economic growth.
In 2024, the first phase of the Ain Al Kasfah tourist site, renowned for its natural hot springs, was completed.
It included restaurants, cafés, expanded parking, and a heritage market. The site is particularly famous for its therapeutic sulphur-rich waters, making it a key attraction.
These developments are part of the Governorates Development Programme, aligned with the Royal Directives of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik. Under the 10th Five-Year Plan (2021-25), each governorate has been allocated RO20mn to stimulate local economic growth.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
5 days ago
- Observer
IMF praises Oman's economic progress and fiscal discipline
MUSCAT: A visiting International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission has concluded its preliminary meetings with the Government of Oman as part of the 2025 Article IV Consultation. The discussions focused on recent economic, financial, and monetary developments, as well as structural reform progress in the Sultanate of Oman. The IMF commended Oman's economic performance, noting that real GDP grew by 1.7% in 2024—up from 1.2% in 2023—thanks to robust non-oil sector growth, particularly in manufacturing, logistics, tourism, and renewable energy. Growth is forecast to accelerate to 2.4% in 2025 and 3.7% in 2026, supported by the easing of OPEC+ production caps and ongoing economic diversification. Inflation remains well contained at just 0.9% year-on-year for the first four months of 2025. The Fund lauded Oman's prudent fiscal policy, which delivered a 3.3% budget surplus in 2024 despite rising infrastructure and public service investments. However, the surplus is projected to narrow to 0.5% of GDP in 2025 and 2026 due to lower oil prices, before improving again in the medium term. Public debt fell to 35.5% of GDP in 2024. The IMF highlighted Oman's continued fiscal reform momentum and targeted investments in priority sectors, praising the Oman Investment Authority's role in enhancing governance of state-owned enterprises. Oman's banking sector was described as strong, with high asset quality, solid capital and liquidity buffers, and sustained profitability. Credit to the private sector continues to expand, fueled by growing deposits and healthy net foreign assets. The Central Bank of Oman received praise for improving liquidity management and promoting financial sector development and inclusion. The external sector also showed strength, posting a current account surplus of 2.2% of GDP in 2024. A temporary deficit is expected in 2025–2026 due to softer oil prices and non-oil exports, but a return to surplus is anticipated as oil output rises. The IMF also welcomed progress in structural reforms, including tax system modernization and the Future Fund's success in attracting private investment. Ongoing investments in green hydrogen and renewables were also highlighted as key pillars of the Eleventh Five-Year Plan (2026–2030) and Oman Vision 2040. The Central Bank of Oman expressed appreciation for the IMF's assessment and reaffirmed its commitment to financial stability and a sustainable, diversified economy. — ONA
Muscat Daily
28-05-2025
- Muscat Daily
South Sharqiyah invites bids for sustainable tourism projects
Sur – South Sharqiyah has announced several tourism and development projects across its wilayats, inviting qualified companies and investors to take part in the bidding process. This is part of a broader strategy to enhance tourism infrastructure and stimulate local economic growth. Tenders issued by South Sharqiyah Governor's Office cover a range of infrastructure works aimed at improving public amenities and boosting visitor appeal. A key project includes construction of a waterfront in the Al Bar area of Sur, planned as a recreational hub to make use of the wilayat's coastal location along the Sea of Oman. Proposals are sought for a pedestrian walkway and public park in Jalan Bani Bu Hassan intended to create green spaces for residents and tourists. The project will support the goal of improving quality of life while promoting environmentally friendly leisure options. The Ras al Hadd waterfront, known for its ecological significance, is also part of the governorate's tender announcement. Home to endangered green turtles and pristine beaches, the area is being positioned as a potential site for sustainable tourism and conservation-linked investment. 'These projects reflect our commitment to harnessing the governorate's natural and cultural assets in a way that benefits both residents and visitors,' said an official at the Governor's Office. 'We are focused on sustainable, high-impact developments that support Oman Vision 2040 objectives, especially in terms of regional growth, private sector engagement and job creation.' According to the official, the developments are part of a long-term plan to promote South Sharqiyah's environmental and cultural features, encourage private sector participation and generate employment for local communities. The deadline for submitting bids is June 11.
Muscat Daily
21-05-2025
- Muscat Daily
MoE outlines sustainable development plans for governorates
Muscat – Ministry of Economy (MoE) convened a high-level meeting on Wednesday to present proposed frameworks and programmes for sustainable development of cities and governorates as part of the sultanate's 11th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030). Held under the patronage of H E Dr Said bin Mohammed al Saqri, Minister of Economy, the meeting included members of central technical teams drafting the plan, alongside representatives from government bodies and the private sector. It reviewed mechanisms and priorities designed to promote balanced urban and regional development aligned with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040. Participants engaged in discussions to propose recommendations for specific developmental needs of each governorate. In his opening remarks, H E Saqri said the plan builds on lessons from past development cycles and aims to adopt more integrated and effective strategies. 'It aims to enhance the competitiveness of governorates by empowering decentralisation and strengthening local governance.' He noted that one of the key objectives of the new plan is development of infrastructure and services to improve quality of life and position cities as centres of economic and cultural activity. H E Saqri added that empowering local administrations and supporting the autonomy of governorates in economic decisions are central to achieving regional development. H E Dr Said bin Mohammed al Saqri, Minister of Economy 'Directing investments towards projects that reflect actual needs and leveraging each governorate's comparative advantages to build a sustainable local economy are at the heart of the new plan.' The meeting allowed exchange of ideas and experiences to ensure development initiatives are rooted in local realities. The 11th Five-Year Plan was formulated using a scientific approach based on international best practices, past experiences and data-driven assessments. It incorporates national sectoral strategies and aligns with findings of national programmes and studies to identify key challenges and priorities.
