Oman: Janaen Salalah ITC project set to redefine agritourism
Led by Omran Group through its subsidiary Agritourism Development Company, the project is located in the Arzat area and aims to position Oman as a regional leader in sustainable agritourism.
Janaen Salalah has been granted ITC status by Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, allowing foreign ownership and expanding its appeal to international investors. Spanning over 5.5mn sqm, the project will feature 250 residential units, a 128-key five-star hotel, processing facilities for coconuts and papayas, and areas dedicated to eco-recreation, education and wellness.
The project received a boost following a field visit on Tuesday by H H Sayyid Marwan bin Turki al Said, Governor of Dhofar, and H E Dr Saud bin Hamoud al Habsi, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources. The officials reviewed the site's progress, with the visit marked by ceremonial planting of the first coconut trees – a symbolic step towards realising the project's agricultural goals.
According to Omran, several key milestones under Phase 1 have been achieved. These include completion of the concept masterplan, feasibility studies confirming the project's viability and appointment of an experienced agriculture contractor. Initial plantation works have already begun.
© Apex Press and Publishing Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Tahawul Tech
30 minutes ago
- Tahawul Tech
Driving resilience and sustainability in Middle East growing data centre boom
Graham Easton, Managing Director at ENGIE Solutions IFM GCC, explores the impact of rapid growth on infrastructure quality, talent shortages, and the long-term sustainability of data centres in the region. Dubai — With unprecedented investment flowing into digital infrastructure across the Middle East, the region is experiencing a boom in data centre development. But with fast-tracked timelines, skills shortages, and mounting sustainability pressures, critical questions arise about the long-term resilience and operational performance of these facilities. Graham Easton, Managing Director of ENGIE Solutions IFM GCC, sheds light on the challenges and solutions facing the sector—from talent retention and commissioning risks to bridging the gap between green construction and true sustainability. Interview Excerpts: How does the rapid expansion of the Middle East data centre market impact the long-term quality and resilience of infrastructure, particularly with projects being fast-tracked to meet investor timelines? Rapid growth in Middle East data centers prioritises speed over quality, leading to facilities being rushed to market before full commissioning. This creates risks throughout their operational life. Data centers are complex ecosystems that require thorough validation of critical systems, which is often bypassed due to pressure to meet investor timelines. With a growing talent shortage in the data centre sector, how are operators addressing the dilution of expertise, and what strategies are being adopted to attract and retain critical skills in the region? A significant skills crisis in data centers is driven by a lack of technical expertise and experience. This is exacerbated by talent poaching instead of workforce development, leading to diluted expertise, increased salary costs, and higher operational risks. The solution requires a shift in human capital development, including standardised certification programs for technicians, similar to existing facility benchmarks. Educational partnerships, data center-specific curricula, apprenticeships, and minimum certification standards are crucial for protecting industry investments. What potential risks are associated with commissioning data centre facilities prematurely under commercial pressure, and how can stakeholders enforce more rigorous testing protocols pre-launch? Premature data center commissioning, driven by commercial pressure, is a significant risk. Rushing this critical phase, where design meets reality, leads to inadequate testing, poor knowledge transfer, and unvalidated emergency systems. Consequences include higher failure rates, reduced energy efficiency, increased maintenance, and critical failures during peak demand due to inadequately tested, interconnected systems. Mitigating this requires rigorous testing protocols, ample time for integration testing, early engagement, and deep collaboration with service partners, fostering a shared responsibility for facility safety and reliability. While many data centres boast green construction certifications, there appears to be a disconnect regarding operational sustainability. How can we close the green finance gap and drive true efficiency beyond the build phase? Middle East data centers struggle with operational sustainability despite green building certifications. The harsh climate, high energy costs, and regulations necessitate it, but initial sustainability efforts often neglect operational systems like cooling (40-50% of energy). Bridging this gap requires dynamic solutions from design, including hybrid/free cooling and active energy monitoring. AI-driven smart O&M systems offer significant opportunities to optimise performance, predict maintenance, and continuously adjust operations for energy efficiency, reducing costs and environmental impact while addressing skill shortages. Financial structures must also evolve, with green financing tied to performance metrics throughout the facility's operational life. In light of global geopolitical tensions disrupting just-in-time supply chains, how are data centre operators in the Middle East adapting their procurement and inventory strategies to safeguard uptime and avoid costly disruptions? Geopolitical volatility and supply chain issues necessitate a strategic approach to procurement for critical infrastructure, particularly in the Middle East, due to its transit vulnerabilities. Developers must prioritise regional support, spare parts, and supply chain resilience over initial cost in supplier evaluations, adopting total-cost-of-ownership models. Strategic stockpiling and diversified, regional supplier relationships are crucial for risk mitigation, offering faster response times and reduced global dependency despite local challenges. Data center operators need to become proactive supply chain managers, investing in expertise, inventory systems, and regional relationships to ensure reliability for digital transformation.
Zawya
2 hours ago
- Zawya
Oman's Sur hydrogen cluster study advances
The Sur Hydrogen Cluster and Energy Transition Study – an initiative designed to support the decarbonisation of major industries in the Sur industrial hub – is set to enter the detailed feasibility stage, according to Oman LNG. The initiative integrates large-scale renewables and green hydrogen production, enabling a range of industrial, petrochemical, and energy projects operating in the Southern Sur city to achieve their Net Zero goals. During its preliminary stage, the Sustainable Energy Research Centre (SERC) at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), along with the Oman Hydrogen Alliance (Hy-Fly), assessed the technical, economic, and partnership frameworks required to position Sur as a hydrogen export and low-carbon fuel hub aligned with Oman's national energy transition ambitions, said Oman LNG, which is spearheading the project. Also participating in the initiative are Phoenix Power Oman (operator of Sur IPP), Oman India Fertiliser Company (OMIFCO), OQ Gas Networks (OQGN), OQ Alternative Energy, and Madayn – the authority administering Sur Industrial City. 'We recently held a framing session with our key partners – OMIFCO, OQGN, and OQAE – to shape the Sur Hydrogen and Energy Transition Cluster Study. We are now finalising the scope of work, which will be followed by the tendering process for a detailed feasibility study, expected to commence in the second quarter of 2025, with the Oman Energy Association (OPAL) managing the tender. This initiative is part of our broader commitment to advancing Oman's position as a leader in green hydrogen and energy transition,' said Oman LNG. The project envisions the use of renewable energy to produce green hydrogen, which will serve as a fuel resource for project stakeholders. This shift will displace significant volumes of natural gas currently used as fuel and feedstock by Sur-based industries. The freed-up gas could then be redirected by Oman LNG for liquefaction and export. An output of around 487 tonnes per day of low-carbon hydrogen is anticipated if and when the Sur Hydrogen Cluster is fully implemented. In addition to the cluster initiative, Oman LNG is also weighing a host of schemes to support its energy transition, energy efficiency, and decarbonisation goals. 'Key initiatives for the year include developing a FEED package for the power import project, finalising green power sourcing concepts with a robust commercial model, and conducting comprehensive assessments to enhance energy efficiency,' it said. (Writing by Nadim Kawach; Editing by Anoop Menon) (
Gulf Business
2 hours ago
- Gulf Business
Why GCC investors are turning to Oman for property opportunities
Image: Supplied Oman's real estate market is quietly transforming into one of the Gulf region's most promising investment opportunities. Driven by its ambitious Vision 2040 diversification strategy, Oman has positioned real estate and tourism as key pillars for economic growth, creating strong incentives for GCC investors looking for stability, affordability, and sustained returns. Current market dynamics: Stability and growth The sultanate's real estate sector contributed With the population projected to grow from The residential real estate market alone is expected to reach Who's investing and why? Investor interest from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Europe, the US, India, and Pakistan is growing notably, drawn by Oman's lower property values, approximately three to five times lower than Dubai's, and comparable quality of infrastructure. Investors find Oman attractive due to its safe and politically stable environment, transparent market conditions, and competitive returns, with rental yields ranging between Integrated Tourism Complexes (ITCs) have become particularly appealing to foreign buyers, offering rare gateways for freehold ownership in designated zones, coupled with lifestyle amenities and potential residency visas for buyers and their families. Areas of high investor interest Muscat and Salalah currently lead the market, offering distinct advantages. Muscat provides an established urban infrastructure and critical economic importance, hosting key government institutions and major financial flows. Salalah, conversely, offers a unique natural appeal with its summer monsoon season that transforms the region into a green oasis, unparalleled within the GCC. Both cities host formally designated ITC zones, enabling foreign investors unrestricted freehold property ownership. Beyond these cities, upcoming developments in Musandam, Duqm, and various industrial hubs indicate broader regional expansion, suggesting significant future investment opportunities. Upcoming developments Several significant projects are underway, transforming Oman's coastal, mountainous and urban landscapes. AIDA by DarGlobal is situated on a picturesque plateau 130 meters above sea level, offering villas, townhouses, apartments, branded hospitality, retail spaces, and the Trump Golf Club, all set within luxurious surroundings. The Sustainable City Yiti by SDIC is pioneering sustainable development with advanced green technologies, significantly reducing maintenance costs and operational expenses, and featuring residential, educational, commercial, and recreational amenities. A new ultra-luxury beachfront project is set to launch soon on Yiti Beach, one of Muscat's most desirable shorelines. Highly anticipated by both European and GCC investors, the project will feature apartments, villas, and townhouses nestled in lush landscaped gardens, as well as cafés, restaurants, and a beachfront club. Additionally, Muscat's Luxury ITC Project in Muttrah is set to offer ultra-luxury waterfront residential units and retail spaces, strategically positioned in Muscat's historic centre. Branded residences from prestigious international names such as St. Regis, Mandarin Oriental, and La Vie by Tivoli are also emerging, attracting high-end buyers seeking prestige alongside potential capital gains. Strategic initiatives supporting growth The Omani government continues to facilitate market expansion by allocating additional land for To sustain market momentum, developers are advised to align their projects closely with investor expectations, emphasizing quality, sustainability, and unique lifestyle propositions. These strategic moves ensure both market attractiveness and long-term investment appeal. The outlook Analysis indicates robust and continued growth in Oman's property values, with notable off-plan projects demonstrating annual price increases between 15 to 18 per cent. However, the country faces a substantial housing deficit, estimated at Oman's real estate market stands at a pivotal moment, offering GCC investors a compelling mix of affordability, stability, lifestyle benefits, and sustained returns. Complemented by its diverse and breathtaking landscapes, from pristine beaches to lush mountains and verdant oases, Oman represents an increasingly attractive investment destination poised for significant regional impact. The writer is the COO of Whitewill Real Estate in Oman and Abu Dhabi.
