logo
RO1.7bn pacts with Egypt's TMG for housing, tourism projects

RO1.7bn pacts with Egypt's TMG for housing, tourism projects

Muscat Daily19-05-2025

Muscat – Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning has signed agreements with Egypt's Talaat Moustafa Group (TMG) to develop two large-scale housing and tourism projects in Muscat with total investment exceeding RO1.7bn (US$4.4bn).
Signed during the 20th Oman Real Estate Conference and Exhibition on Monday, the agreements cover construction of 13,000 residential and hotel units across more than 4.9mn sqm of land. The two projects will be linked by an electric tram network.
TMG will lead the development of an integrated residential community in Sultan Haitham City and a coastal tourism destination in Seeb. The residential project, spread over 2.6mn sqm, will include several new neighbourhoods within Sultan Haitham City, including Zones 7, 8, 9, 11, 12A and 12B. It will offer a mix of villas, apartments and multi-use buildings, along with parks, mosques, green spaces, and a sports and social club.
The second project will develop 2.2mn sqm of coastal land in the Al Shakhakhit area of Seeb on a 1.76km beachfront along Sea of Oman. It will feature a yacht marina, a luxury hotel, villas, artificial lakes and landscaped public spaces aiming to position the area as a high-end marine tourism destination.
'These agreements embody Oman's vision of strengthening partnerships with major regional and international institutions,' said H E Dr Khalfan bin Saeed al Shuaili, Minister of Housing and Urban Planning. 'These contribute to accelerating the pace of smart urban development and provide a sustainable urban environment that supports citizens' aspirations and economic diversification.'
He added, 'We are proceeding with implementation of strategic projects in Sultan Haitham City, which is central to future urban development in Oman. The agreements represent a tangible model of our ambitious development approach.'
Hisham Talaat Moustafa, CEO of TMG, expressed pride in entering the Omani market with what he described as strategic investment in two model developments.
'The two projects will be developed simultaneously on plots west of Muscat and connected by a tram. The agreements mark a milestone in Oman's urban and tourism development, creating jobs and enhancing the real estate and tourism sectors with high-quality projects,' he said.
Moustafa added that the Sultan Haitham City agreement with enhance its position as a benchmark for urban planning in the region, combining smart infrastructure with an advanced vision for sustainable growth.
The ministry said the agreements reflect Oman's ability to attract high-value investments and deliver projects with real economic and social impact.
Talaat Moustafa Group is one of the largest real estate and tourism developers in Egypt and a leading integrated institutions in the Middle East.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

US suspends licenses to ship nuclear plant parts to China
US suspends licenses to ship nuclear plant parts to China

Observer

time18 hours ago

  • Observer

US suspends licenses to ship nuclear plant parts to China

WASHINGTON: The US in recent days suspended licenses for nuclear equipment suppliers to sell to China's power plants, according to four people familiar with the matter, as the two countries engage in a damaging trade war. The suspensions were sent to companies by the US Department of Commerce, the people said, and affect export licenses for parts and equipment used with nuclear power plants. Nuclear equipment suppliers are among a wide range of companies whose sales have been restricted over the past two weeks as the US-China trade war shifted from negotiating tariffs to throttling each other's supply chains. It is unclear whether a Thursday call between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping would affect the suspensions. The US and China agreed on May 12 to roll back triple digit, tit-for-tat tariffs for 90 days, but the truce between the two biggest economies quickly went south, with the US claiming China reneged on terms related to rare earth elements, and China accusing the US of "abusing export control measures" by warning that using Huawei Ascend AI chips anywhere in the world violated US export controls. On Friday, Trump said US and Chinese officials would meet again on June 9. The US Department of Commerce did not respond to a request for comment on the nuclear equipment restrictions. On May 28, a spokesperson said the department was reviewing exports of strategic significance to China. "In some cases, Commerce has suspended existing export licenses or imposed additional license requirements while the review is pending," the spokesperson said in a statement. US nuclear equipment suppliers include Westinghouse and Emerson. Westinghouse, whose technology is used in over 400 nuclear reactors around the world, and Emerson, which provides measurement and other tools for the nuclear industry, did not respond to requests for comment. The suspensions affect business worth hundreds of millions of dollars, two of the sources said. A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington said Xi emphasised on his call with Trump that both sides should make good on the agreement reached in Geneva on May 12. China has been "earnestly" executing the agreement, the spokesperson, Liu Pengyu, said in a statement on Friday. US stocks closed higher on Friday, with the Dow and S&P 500 gaining 1% and the Nasdaq climbing 1.2%. 'The US side should acknowledge the progress already made, and remove the negative measures taken against China,' the statement said. China's rare earth export controls are in line with common practice and not targeted at specific countries, it added. They also coincide with Chinese restrictions on critical metals threatening supply chains for manufacturers worldwide, especially America's Big Three automakers. China has granted temporary export licenses to rare-earth suppliers for the US automakers. But many new restrictions on exports to China have been imposed in the last two weeks, according to sources, and include license requirements for a hydraulic fluids supplier for sales to China. Other license suspensions went to GE Aerospace for jet engines for China's COMAC aircraft, sources said. The US also now requires licenses to ship ethane to China, as Reuters reported first last week. Houston-based Enterprise Product Partners said Wednesday that its emergency requests to complete three proposed cargoes of ethane to China, totaling some 2.2 million barrels, had not been granted. Enterprise said a May 23 requirement for a license to sell butane to China, in addition to the ethane, was subsequently withdrawn. Dallas-based Energy Transfer said it was notified on Tuesday about the new ethane licensing requirement, and planned to apply and file for an emergency authorisation. Other sectors that have been hit with new restrictions include companies that sell electronic design automation software such as Cadence Design Systems. — Reuters

Oman leverages ‘precision agriculture' to strengthen food security
Oman leverages ‘precision agriculture' to strengthen food security

Observer

time18 hours ago

  • Observer

Oman leverages ‘precision agriculture' to strengthen food security

MUSCAT: The Sultanate of Oman is increasingly harnessing technology and innovation to expand and diversify its agricultural base, with the goal of strengthening food security in a sustainable manner. To this end, various state-owned enterprises are deploying precision agriculture techniques—centered on the use of AI and other tech-based tools—to boost crop yields and food production while minimizing water use and other inputs. This technology-driven approach has been emphasized by Saud Hamoud Al Habsi, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, in a recent interview featured in Oxford Business Group's (OBG) 2025 annual spotlight on Oman. 'Oman's agricultural strategy over the next five to ten years prioritizes strengthening food security by diversifying crop production, increasing livestock numbers, and boosting aquaculture. Diversifying crops aims to make the Sultanate more self-sufficient and reduce dependency on imports,' Al Habsi said. 'To make Omani agricultural products more competitive on a regional scale, modern farming practices—such as precision agriculture and sustainable methods—are being adopted to improve yields and reduce input costs. Additionally, the development of food safety systems and the improvement of food establishments enhance product value while minimizing food loss and waste. Export markets are being developed through quality certification, targeted marketing, and collaboration with trade bodies to ensure Omani products meet international standards,' the Minister added. Precision agriculture is a modern farming practice that uses advanced technologies to monitor, measure, and respond to variability in fields, with the goal of optimizing productivity while reducing waste and environmental impact. It involves tools such as GPS-guided tractors and harvesters, soil and crop sensors, drones and aerial imaging, satellite-based remote sensing, and AI-powered farm management software. According to Al Habsi, technology and innovation are 'transformative forces' that enhance productivity and resource management. 'Precision agriculture, with tools including GPS, IoT sensors, and drones, allows real-time monitoring of soil health, crop conditions, and water usage—optimizing the application of vital inputs. Advanced irrigation systems, such as smart and drip irrigation, help conserve water, thereby supporting environmental sustainability, one of the four pillars of Oman Vision 2040,' he noted. Vision 2040 targets a significant strengthening of agriculture and food security by raising food self-sufficiency from around 48% to 70%, expanding cultivated land from 544 km² to 1,044 km², and promoting high-value crop production. The strategy emphasizes sustainable water use, aiming for a 40% increase in availability, and supports the adoption of modern technologies, precision farming, and digitized agricultural services. The Ministry, in collaboration with various agri- and food-focused public enterprises, has already made significant progress in leveraging technology to achieve these goals. 'Climate-resilient crops and new farming techniques such as hydroponics and greenhouse cultivation are being introduced to maximize output with limited resources. Data analytics and AI tools help farmers make informed decisions based on market trends, crop health, and weather predictions. Agricultural biotechnology, such as tissue culture, is improving crop yields and resistance to disease. Integrating these technologies enhances productivity and ensures a more sustainable and resilient agricultural system,' Al Habsi said. A leading example of precision agriculture in Oman is the Million Date Trees Plantation Project, which has employed satellite imagery, GIS, and AI to optimize date palm cultivation. Data collected via sensors and drones are analyzed using AI/ML technologies to detect issues such as pest infestations, enabling targeted interventions. This has led to increased production and improved date quality.

Dhofar gears up for khareef with 100 tourist sites, 7,300 rooms
Dhofar gears up for khareef with 100 tourist sites, 7,300 rooms

Observer

time2 days ago

  • Observer

Dhofar gears up for khareef with 100 tourist sites, 7,300 rooms

SALALAH, June 7 Dhofar Governorate is gearing up for its signature tourism season with a marked increase in hospitality capacity, as the number of licensed establishments reaches 100, offering 7,300 rooms, the Directorate General of Heritage and Tourism has confirmed. The expansion — driven by new hotel openings in Salalah, Taqah and Mirbat — is part of wider preparations for Khareef 2025, a key period for tourism in Oman. 'This capacity growth reflects our strategic focus on readiness and service excellence,' said Abdullah bin Omar al Sabbah Baaboud, Assistant Director of the Promotion Department in Dhofar. The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, he noted, is working in tandem with stakeholders to upgrade tourism infrastructure and attract further investment into the hospitality sector. These efforts align with Oman Vision 2040, which positions tourism as a vital contributor to economic diversification and local development. According to official data, Dhofar welcomed 1.048 million visitors during the Khareef 2024 season, a 9 per cent year-on-year increase. Omani visitors surged by 70.1 per cent to over 734,500, while Gulf visitors rose 16.9 per cent, reaching nearly 177,000. Visitors from other Arab nations also posted a modest increase of 3.6 per cent. By end-2024, Dhofar had 83 licensed hotel properties offering 6,537 rooms. The additional supply — set to reach 100 hotels by summer 2025 — aims to meet rising demand and expand accommodation options for a diverse visitor base. The 2024 season also featured a significantly extended calendar of events, running for 90 consecutive days. Activities ranged from cultural showcases and family entertainment to sporting attractions such as the Salalah International Cycling Tour, drawing broad audience engagement across the governorate. The ministry implemented targeted marketing campaigns, participated in international travel exhibitions; and organised media and trade familiarisation trips. Social media outreach also intensified, partnering with regional influencers to reinforce Dhofar's profile as a leading monsoon destination. Officials expect further growth in visitor arrivals over the coming seasons, supported by continuous infrastructure upgrades and broader investment in tourism services. With Khareef tourism now a centrepiece of Dhofar's economic strategy, the governorate is on track to solidify its standing as a premier destination in the Arabian Peninsula.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store