Latest news with #AlBadi
Observer
21-05-2025
- Business
- Observer
Developers seek solutions to real estate challenges
MUSCAT, MAY 21 The real estate market in the Sultanate of Oman has witnessed notable activity in recent years, particularly with the launch of Smart City projects such as Sultan Haitham City, and integrated residential neighbourhoods under the 'Sorouh' initiative, all of which aim to provide a comprehensive urban environment aligned with the goals of Oman Vision 2040. However, this momentum faces several obstacles that threaten the pace of growth and investment in this vital sector chief among them being weak purchasing power among citizens, high construction costs, and land development challenges. In this context, the Observer spoke with several prominent real estate developers during the 20th Oman Real Estate Conference and Design and Build Week, where they outlined the major issues confronting the sector and proposed realistic solutions to enhance market efficiency. FINANCING: THE MAIN BOTTLENECK Nasser Al Badi, General Manager of Al Badi Investment Group, emphasized that the concept of integrated residential neighborhoods, introduced by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning about four years ago, marked a qualitative leap in the housing sector, with the pilot project 'Hayy Al Naseem' initially showing strong sales. However, he noted that it soon faced marketing difficulties due to citizens' limited access to financing. 'It's unrealistic to expect citizens to purchase homes costing between RO 25,000 and 50,000 when their monthly income barely covers basic needs. Banks lend to those earning RO 325 a month, then deduct OMR 150 in repayments—how can someone live on the remaining amount?' Al Badi lamented. He clarified that the problem isn't with the integrated neighborhood concept itself, but with the absence of financing mechanisms that align with citizens' incomes. He proposed long-term loans extending up to 50 years, with monthly deductions capped at 20–25% of income to ensure a dignified standard of living without overwhelming debt. Qais al Bahri, CEO of Dream Villa, described housing finance as the 'fundamental dilemma,' stating that the challenge isn't legal but financial—where loan ceilings are not in line with citizen incomes or current property prices. He suggested that collaboration with banks, as seen in Saudi Arabia, could create holistic financing solutions. RISING CONSTRUCTION COSTS The rising prices of construction materials, along with permitting and approval fees, have created additional pressure on both developers and buyers. Al Badi explained: 'To start a project, we have to pay thousands—RO 7,000 for mining approvals, RO 3,000 for environmental permits, and RO 18,000 for civil defense clearance. These fees ultimately inflate property prices.' Al Bahri attributed the increase to global factors beyond local control, stressing that reducing construction quality to cut costs is not an acceptable solution. MORE REGULATORY REFORMS NEEDED Both developers acknowledged notable progress in real estate laws over recent years. According to Al Bahri, the Ministry of Housing has become more flexible, offering easier eligibility for housing ownership. For instance, citizens can now purchase property even outside their native governorates, and support can reach up to RO 30,000 or even RO 50,000. Al Badi praised the Ministry's escrow account system, which he described as an important regulatory measure that helps prevent real estate fraud. ABUNDANT LAND BUT LIMITED INFRASTRUCTURE Commenting on claims of land scarcity in some governorates, Al Badi denied there is a shortage of land, stating: 'We have thousands of unused plots, but the real issue lies in the lack of infrastructure—areas without water, sewage, or electricity.' Al Bahri agreed, noting that 'owning land is not enough. The land must be livable with access to essential services, and this is what the Ministry has been focusing on recently.' Al Badi proposed a different approach to stimulate the real estate market, one that goes beyond direct subsidies. He suggested allowing expatriates and their families to reside and own property. 'The demand for housing is low because the population isn't large enough to drive the market. If we allowed expatriate families to settle and rent homes, thousands of apartments would be occupied, and local markets would flourish, similar to what we've seen in Dubai and Riyadh,' he explained. Oman's real estate sector currently struggles with a disconnect between strong government planning and the citizen's financial ability to keep up. While regulations have become more flexible, financial constraints remain the core issue—requiring joint intervention by the government and the banking sector to ensure the continuity of development projects and restore market balance between supply and demand. In light of these challenges, proposed solutions such as expanding banking options, reducing government fees, and increasing population density through inclusive residency policies may offer new opportunities for this vital sector in shaping Oman's urban and economic future.
Observer
26-03-2025
- Observer
Construction of Wadi Baiha Dam in Al Dhahirah completed
Yanqul: Field and construction work on Wadi Baiha Dam in the Wilayat of Yanqul in Al Dhahirah Governorate, are now complete, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources announced on Wednesday. The dam was built by community and civil efforts, under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources at an estimated cost of RO 60,000. Salem bin Humaid al Badi, the dam construction supervisor, said that the dam is 53 metres long and 11 metres high, with a storage capacity of 33,000 gallons. It was constructed in 235 days by using reinforced concrete, stones, filters, and other construction materials. He added that the length of the valley feeding the dam is about 12 kilometres. Al Badi noted that the dam was built in accordance to the highest standards for dam construction in the Sultanate of Oman. A specialized team from the Dams Department at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources is supervising the field and construction work as well as the design and implementation phases of the dam. Once the dam is filled with water, it will provide water supply to a number of villages and towns, Al Badi said noting that the dam is situated in one of the best-known tourist destination in Al Dhahirah Governorate and it will boost tourism activities especially for adventure enthusiasts, mountaineers, and nature lovers.
Khaleej Times
24-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Emirati writer Saeed Al Badi: 'Most characters are mosaics of people I've met'
Experiences tend to overflow; they colour vision and perspective, they anchor us to moments stilled in time by emotion; they break the carefully constructed walls that we build around our fragile hearts; and they cry out for expression. For Emirati writer Saeed Al Badi, experiences – 'my travels to Palestine, Jerusalem, and the broader region' – are a constant source of inspiration. 'The turmoil there—the wars, displacement, resilience—seeps into my bones. How could I not write about it?' he asks. And so it is. The once Al Ittihad newspaper's roving correspondent, who has covered everything from the ravage of war to the haunting famines, has written a number of books including With the Angels of Mecca, The Cursed City, Memoirs of a Traveler, A Journey in the Land of Two Fires, and Cities and Women (Emirates Novel Award 2016 winner). And now, he's working on an upcoming novel, the name of which translated into English is Hell's Gate. It will release at The Abu Dhabi Book Fair, which runs from April 26 to May 5. The tale follows Dr Kreacher as he assembles a research team to enter a time window leading to hidden worlds in search of the King of Jinns in an attempt to protect the Earth the fallout of a mysterious prophecy. In doing so, it takes on an age-old question: can good truly conquer evil? 'My approach to the topic remains true to Islamic heritage, with some added elements from folklore passed down through generations,' he adds. The novel begins in Jordan, wades through Palestine, and Syria, and ends in Iraq. As though it's a nod to his life's work as a journalist, Al Badi's tome will dive into the history and geography of each stop. While the premise may seem far removed from reality, he says, 'The concept of jinn and demons is deeply embedded in our collective culture—both regionally and globally. In fact, I believe fantasy is a fundamental part of societies everywhere.' The beginning If the only way to write well is to read well, it's no wonder that Al Badi has generated a library of books to share. 'In my youth, entertainment was scarce—no social media, limited TV hours for kids. Books became our escape. They opened doors to new worlds and ideas, shaping our imaginations. Reading wasn't just a habit; it was a daily ritual that anchored our lives,' he explains. Almost like a dam of words that needed release, when he began to explore the world (it's beauty and cruelty), Al Badi began to write. 'Wanderlust led me to journalism and storytelling,' he says, adding, 'My approach to writing a novel is fluid. I start with a broad outline, sketching events and characters first. The plot crystallises later, like a puzzle coming together. I usually write while on the move and anywhere—on trains, in hotels, during travels. Creativity doesn't wait for a desk.' The characters his novels give birth to are echoes of the ones he's come across on his travels. 'Most characters are mosaics of people I've met—their quirks, struggles, triumphs. Even events in my novels echo real life, though I twist them into something fresh. Reality provides the clay; imagination sculpts it,' says the prolific writer who has a column in the Union since 2000 called 'Without Borders'. Impressionable minds Just as people leave indelible marks on a mind, so do places fractured by time, cataclysmic events, or the silliness of a conqueror blind to reason. The resin left behind after the incidents remains vivid, calling for a record, almost like a lesson that must be taught to the world. For Al Badi, who has seen bandits pillaging, seen chases in real time and collected 'raw, urgent tales I weave into my novels', these moments meld into a narrative that tell the story (on the surface of a few) and dive into greater themes for those inclined to read between the lines. 'My journalism years were a masterclass. They sharpened my language, taught me adaptability, and deepened my understanding of human resilience. Every interview, every crisis I covered, became part of my creative arsenal. I have amassed a wealth of content for my travels. I incorporate it into my novels, adding suspense and excitement to make the stories more engaging,' he tells City Times in an interview. The people of this region, he adds, have endured a lot. 'Forced migration, war, armed conflicts, poverty and corruption… yet, my stories aren't dirges.' He focuses instead on the warmth of hope even when things seem cold and stifling. 'However dark today seems, I want readers to believe in a better tomorrow. That's the thread running through my work,' he explains. The proud UAE citizen says the country is making strides in getting his peoples' voices out there. 'Through an initiative by the Sharjah Department of Culture, books by 40 Emirati writers have been translated into over five global languages. But the ambition extends beyond that,' he stresses. 'The UAE has become a global hub, and its literature deserves to be read worldwide in multiple languages, not just in Arabic.' Being born and raised in the nation of many cultures and peoples, Al Badi says has given him signature sensibilities. 'The UAE is home to a diverse, multicultural society—yet it remains uniquely harmonious. This has greatly influenced my ability to engage with different cultures wherever I go.' And it has also given him a deep sense of responsibility – to represent his country with integrity. 'Writers must take responsibility in their work and how they present their local culture—after all, they represent their homeland, the UAE,' he says. Dabbling with the idea of secret societies and hidden realities, Al Badi mulls the idea of fiction challenging mainstream narratives. Then, he says: 'Perhaps the dominant narratives aren't always the truth. History has often been distorted—whether in the past or even today. In our era, no one can claim absolute certainty about what truly happened or is happening now.' As for finding the story that's right for telling, he says, 'The Arab world's history is rich with stories and events that shaped human civilisation. The real skill lies in weaving these stories into compelling narratives.' Exploring the world (and you imagination) comes at a cost; the need to express, to glean information and to share it. It's why social media works and why stories must be crafted, written and shared. The cave people proved it centuries ago (just look at the paintings in the ancient Ajanta Caves)– and the narratives that spike our heartbeats as we race through them do the same, even now.
