Latest news with #AlJabalAlAkhdhar
Times of Oman
19-05-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Sayyid Bilarab graces opening of Oman Real Estate Conference, and Design & Construction Week
Muscat: HH Sayyid Bilarab bin Haitham Al Said graces today the opening of the 20th edition of the Oman Real Estate Conference, Exhibition, and Design & Construction Week at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Center. The event witnessed broad participation from major local and international real estate investors and developers, along with a number of experts and consultants in urban development, real estate, and construction. During the inauguration, HH Sayyid Bilarab launched the "A'Thuraya" smart urban city project in the Wilayat of Bausher and the High Mountain project in Al Jabal Al Akhdhar as a global mountain destination. A'Thuraya represents a futuristic model for sustainable living and urban integration, spanning three development phases. The first phase covers an area exceeding 3 million square meters, aiming to accommodate over 8,000 residents through 2,600 housing units across eight integrated residential neighborhoods. Meanwhile, the High Mountain project, designed along a 5.4-kilometre mountain ridge spanning 11.8 square kilometers, will host around 10,000 residents with innovative and diverse housing units across three main villages. The ceremony also saw the signing of nine partnership and development agreements with a total investment value exceeding RO 2.3 billion. These agreements include high-quality developmental projects in Sultan Haitham City and A'Thuraya City, further enhancing Oman's urban growth map and opening new investment horizons in the real estate sector. Among the signed agreements were two investment and development partnerships worth over RO 1.7 billion, covering an area exceeding 4.8 million square meters. These include the development of Neighborhoods 7, 8, 9, 11, 12A, and 12B in Sultan Haitham City, spanning over 2.6 million square meters. The projects will feature diverse residential units, including villas, apartments, and mixed-use buildings, alongside integrated facilities such as mosques, parks, and green spaces, as well as a social and sports club. A second agreement involves the development of a coastal area in the Wilayat of A'Seeb for a premium tourism project spanning over 2.2 million square meters, featuring a tourist hotel, residential zones with connected units, and a marina. Additionally, a key terms agreement was signed for the development of Neighborhoods 6C and 6D in Sultan Haitham City, with an investment exceeding OMR150 million. Another partnership worth over OMR240 million was signed to develop Neighborhood 6, a key area in the first phase of A'Thuraya City, covering 285,000 square meters and comprising 1,000 residential units. For the High Mountain project, a key terms agreement was signed to develop the health neighborhood in the Western Village, with an investment of OMR200 million across 630,000 square meters, featuring 500 residential and hotel units with a built-up area exceeding 100,000 square meters. A tender worth over OMR6 million was awarded for site preparation and leveling works in Sultan Haitham City (Package 1A), marking a pivotal step in establishing the city's infrastructure and enhancing connectivity between its neighborhoods and vital facilities. A partnership agreement worth OMR45 million will be signed to develop the first 4-star hotel façade in Sultan Haitham City at Januaries Residences, featuring 170 hotel rooms, 123 hotel apartments, and 96 residential apartments. A usufruct agreement was also signed to establish a precast concrete elements factory in Barka's Halban, with an initial investment of OMR2 million. Tenders worth a total of OMR13 million were awarded for A'Thuraya City, including site preparation works exceeding OMR7 million and engineering consultancy for construction supervision worth over RO 6 million. On the sidelines of the conference, 23 cooperation agreements will be signed to implement infrastructure for the integrated residential neighborhood projects "Sorouh," covering water and sewage networks, electricity distribution, and internet infrastructure across eight projects. Eight new investment opportunities will also be unveiled during the event for developing integrated residential neighborhoods under "Sorouh," spanning South Al Batinah, South A'Sharqiyah, Dhofar, Muscat, and A'Dakhiliyah governorates. These opportunities present a promising gateway for investors looking to contribute to the real estate sector's growth, diversifying housing projects and supporting sustainable economic development. As part of efforts to optimize government land use, 43 usufruct contracts worth over RO 7.3 million will be signed across various sectors, including 11 contracts for food security covering over 881 acres, 11 contracts for SMEs in the industrial sector spanning over 5,600 square meters, and a contract for a specialized sports academy exceeding 26,000 square meters, reflecting diversified investments in key economic and social development sectors. The six-day conference, exhibition, and Design & Construction Week—organized by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning in collaboration with the Oman Real Estate Association and Connect Company—serves as a strategic platform to showcase real estate projects, highlight investment opportunities, and foster public-private partnerships amid national efforts to enhance the business environment and sustainable urban growth. The accompanying exhibition offers an interactive experience, allowing attendees to explore housing options firsthand, including live residential unit models from Sultan Haitham City, while bringing developers together under one roof. The Oman Real Estate Conference and Exhibition features over 40 speakers across 10 interactive sessions covering urban development, real estate investment, sustainability, and smart urban planning. Discussions will include specialized working papers highlighting Oman's real estate development experience, promising investment opportunities, incentives, and growth drivers, alongside global insights on enhancing market resilience amid economic fluctuations. An investment forum will also be held, gathering elite local and international investors to showcase future city projects and explore real estate opportunities in Oman, aiming to strengthen private-sector partnerships and attract quality investments in urban development.
Times of Oman
19-05-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Sayyid Bilarb graces opening of Oman Real Estate Conference, and Design & Construction Week
Muscat: HH Sayyid Bilarab bin Haitham Al Said graces today the opening of the 20th edition of the Oman Real Estate Conference, Exhibition, and Design & Construction Week at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Center. The event witnessed broad participation from major local and international real estate investors and developers, along with a number of experts and consultants in urban development, real estate, and construction. During the inauguration, HH Sayyid Bilarab launched the "A'Thuraya" smart urban city project in the Wilayat of Bausher and the High Mountain project in Al Jabal Al Akhdhar as a global mountain destination. A'Thuraya represents a futuristic model for sustainable living and urban integration, spanning three development phases. The first phase covers an area exceeding 3 million square meters, aiming to accommodate over 8,000 residents through 2,600 housing units across eight integrated residential neighborhoods. Meanwhile, the High Mountain project, designed along a 5.4-kilometre mountain ridge spanning 11.8 square kilometers, will host around 10,000 residents with innovative and diverse housing units across three main villages. The ceremony also saw the signing of nine partnership and development agreements with a total investment value exceeding RO 2.3 billion. These agreements include high-quality developmental projects in Sultan Haitham City and A'Thuraya City, further enhancing Oman's urban growth map and opening new investment horizons in the real estate sector. Among the signed agreements were two investment and development partnerships worth over RO 1.7 billion, covering an area exceeding 4.8 million square meters. These include the development of Neighborhoods 7, 8, 9, 11, 12A, and 12B in Sultan Haitham City, spanning over 2.6 million square meters. The projects will feature diverse residential units, including villas, apartments, and mixed-use buildings, alongside integrated facilities such as mosques, parks, and green spaces, as well as a social and sports club. A second agreement involves the development of a coastal area in the Wilayat of A'Seeb for a premium tourism project spanning over 2.2 million square meters, featuring a tourist hotel, residential zones with connected units, and a marina. Additionally, a key terms agreement was signed for the development of Neighborhoods 6C and 6D in Sultan Haitham City, with an investment exceeding OMR150 million. Another partnership worth over OMR240 million was signed to develop Neighborhood 6, a key area in the first phase of A'Thuraya City, covering 285,000 square meters and comprising 1,000 residential units. For the High Mountain project, a key terms agreement was signed to develop the health neighborhood in the Western Village, with an investment of OMR200 million across 630,000 square meters, featuring 500 residential and hotel units with a built-up area exceeding 100,000 square meters. A tender worth over OMR6 million was awarded for site preparation and leveling works in Sultan Haitham City (Package 1A), marking a pivotal step in establishing the city's infrastructure and enhancing connectivity between its neighborhoods and vital facilities. A partnership agreement worth OMR45 million will be signed to develop the first 4-star hotel façade in Sultan Haitham City at Januaries Residences, featuring 170 hotel rooms, 123 hotel apartments, and 96 residential apartments. A usufruct agreement was also signed to establish a precast concrete elements factory in Barka's Halban, with an initial investment of OMR2 million. Tenders worth a total of OMR13 million were awarded for A'Thuraya City, including site preparation works exceeding OMR7 million and engineering consultancy for construction supervision worth over RO 6 million. On the sidelines of the conference, 23 cooperation agreements will be signed to implement infrastructure for the integrated residential neighborhood projects "Sorouh," covering water and sewage networks, electricity distribution, and internet infrastructure across eight projects. Eight new investment opportunities will also be unveiled during the event for developing integrated residential neighborhoods under "Sorouh," spanning South Al Batinah, South A'Sharqiyah, Dhofar, Muscat, and A'Dakhiliyah governorates. These opportunities present a promising gateway for investors looking to contribute to the real estate sector's growth, diversifying housing projects and supporting sustainable economic development. As part of efforts to optimize government land use, 43 usufruct contracts worth over RO 7.3 million will be signed across various sectors, including 11 contracts for food security covering over 881 acres, 11 contracts for SMEs in the industrial sector spanning over 5,600 square meters, and a contract for a specialized sports academy exceeding 26,000 square meters, reflecting diversified investments in key economic and social development sectors. The six-day conference, exhibition, and Design & Construction Week—organized by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning in collaboration with the Oman Real Estate Association and Connect Company—serves as a strategic platform to showcase real estate projects, highlight investment opportunities, and foster public-private partnerships amid national efforts to enhance the business environment and sustainable urban growth. The accompanying exhibition offers an interactive experience, allowing attendees to explore housing options firsthand, including live residential unit models from Sultan Haitham City, while bringing developers together under one roof. The Oman Real Estate Conference and Exhibition features over 40 speakers across 10 interactive sessions covering urban development, real estate investment, sustainability, and smart urban planning. Discussions will include specialized working papers highlighting Oman's real estate development experience, promising investment opportunities, incentives, and growth drivers, alongside global insights on enhancing market resilience amid economic fluctuations. An investment forum will also be held, gathering elite local and international investors to showcase future city projects and explore real estate opportunities in Oman, aiming to strengthen private-sector partnerships and attract quality investments in urban development.
Observer
07-02-2025
- Business
- Observer
Polish travelers discover Oman
Michał Kalarus and Anna Łukasik, Polish tourists and industry professionals, recently explored Oman for the first time. As the editor-in-chief and CEO of THINK MICE, a leading Polish magazine dedicated to the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events (MICE) sector, they were captivated by Oman's potential as a MICE destination and the cultural parallels between Poland and Oman. They noted strong similarities in hospitality and craftsmanship, both countries deeply valuing guest-welcoming traditions and artisanal heritage. Oman's growing appeal among Polish travelers, combined with its authenticity as a Middle Eastern destination, makes it an ideal choice for incentive and corporate groups seeking unique experiences. 'Oman benefits from the 'novelty effect.' Many groups have already explored the GCC and now seek something more authentic. Oman fits that need perfectly,' Michał said. Michał sees further opportunities for Polish MICE collaborations in Oman, citing its luxury infrastructure, cultural richness, and natural diversity. Michaê Kalarus and Anna Łukasik Al Jabal Al Akhdhar Michał Kalarus poses at the Rimal Sharqiyah desert sand Anna Łukasik poses at the Nizwa Fort Anna Łukasik at the Grand Mosque Poland's outbound tourism is expanding, and Oman is increasingly seen as an attractive destination. Polish tourists seek culture, nature, and high-quality infrastructure. 'Oman offers all of these in abundance,' says Michał. However, two challenges exist in attracting more Polish visitors. First, the misconception that Oman is a 'closed' country with rigid cultural restrictions. 'This is a stereotype. Oman is remarkably open and welcoming, with cultural differences that are easy to respect and navigate.' The second challenge is the lack of direct flights between Poland and Oman. 'While layovers provide options, direct connections would make Oman even more accessible.' Michał and Anna were particularly impressed by Oman's hospitality. 'Everywhere we went - hotels, restaurants, even on the streets - people welcomed us warmly and with genuine interest.' Oman's diverse attractions left a lasting impression. They described the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque as a masterpiece of Islamic architecture, with its breathtaking dome, intricate interiors, and welcoming atmosphere. Mutrah Souq, with its rich selection of handcrafted goods, provided an immersive cultural experience. Their journey extended to Al Jabal Al Akhdhar, where they stayed at Hotel Indigo Jabal Akhdar Resort & Spa. 'The rugged mountain landscapes were strikingly different from those in Europe, offering a sense of remoteness and authenticity,' Michał noted. Pathway to an abandoned village Michaê Kalarus at the Bimmah Sinkhol Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque An abandoned village as pictured by Michał Kalarus and Anna Łukasik Nizwa Fort and its bustling souq offered a glimpse into Oman's rich history. 'The architectural beauty and lively market atmosphere were unforgettable,' they said, adding that their guide, Karim from Zahara Tours, enhanced the experience with insightful storytelling. For the MICE industry, Oman presents a unique proposition. 'It's not just about luxury hotels — it's the combination of cultural authenticity, natural beauty, and world-class service that sets it apart,' Michał noted. Oman delivers a 'three-in-one' experience ideal for corporate incentives and retreats, blending Muscat's seaside charm, the mountains' tranquility, and the desert's adventure. THINK MICE will feature an in-depth article on Oman's business tourism potential in its March edition, targeting corporate planners and event organisers. 'We are convinced that showcasing Oman's beauty and event planning capabilities will attract more MICE interest from Poland,' Michał said. For Polish travelers, Oman exceeded expectations. 'We wanted a destination different from typical European choices, and Oman delivered. We wholeheartedly recommend it,' they concluded.
