Latest news with #Bausher
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.
Times of Oman
17-05-2025
- General
- Times of Oman
Indian couple killed in Bausher building collapse
Muscat: A pall of grief has descended over the Indian community in Oman following the tragic death of a couple in a building collapse in Bausher on Saturday morning. The couple, who had lived in Oman for more than 30 years, died after a suspected gas explosion led to the partial collapse of a residential-commercial building. The victims have been identified as 59-year-old Pankajakshan and his wife, 53-year-old Shajitha, both hailing from Kannur in the southern Indian state of Kerala. They lived in an apartment above a ground-floor restaurant where the explosion is believed to have originated. According to preliminary findings by the Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority (CDAA), the blast was likely triggered by a cooking gas leak in the restaurant. Emergency responders rushed to the scene, but the couple could not be saved. The CDAA confirmed the deaths of two people of Asian nationality and said an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the incident. Santhosh Kumar, Community Welfare Secretary of the Indian Social Club in Oman, said, 'We are working closely with the concerned authorities to complete the formalities and repatriate their bodies home.' He added that the couple's daughter, who is studying in Chennai, India, has been informed. 'She is coming to Oman as soon as possible,' he said. Both Pankajakshan and Shajitha worked as accountants in a private firm and were known for their quiet, humble presence within the local expatriate community. Their sudden and tragic passing has left friends and colleagues deeply shocked. As investigations continue, the Indian community mourns the loss of two long-time residents whose lives were cut short in a devastating accident that has raised renewed concerns about safety in mixed-use buildings.
Observer
06-04-2025
- Climate
- Observer
Summer is almost here as temperatures cross 40°C in some governorates
Muscat: Just as the holy month of Ramadhan and the Eid al-Fitr just passed by with people taking advantage of the weather conducive for outdoor socialising and vacationing, temperatures in most governorates of the Sultanate of Oman have started going up at a brisk pace. The Sultanate of Oman is witnessing a steady rise in temperatures, with mercury levels touching 40°C across many governorates, which mark the onset of summer and the gradual end of winter. The Wilayat of Sur recorded the highest temperature of 41°C during the last 24 hours, according to the Oman Meteorology bulletin. In the capital, Bausher reported 40.6°C, Samail 39.6°C, Jaalan Bani Bu Hassan 38.7°C, and Al Buraimi 39°C. It may be noted that 2024 was the planet's warmest year on record, according to an analysis by scientists from NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has confirmed that 2024 is the warmest year on record, based on six international datasets. The past ten years have all been in the Top Ten, in an extraordinary streak of record-breaking temperatures. A study published in Advances in Atmospheric Sciences found that ocean warming in 2024 played a key role in the record high temperatures. The ocean is the warmest it has ever been as recorded by humans, not only at the surface but also for the upper 2000 meters, according to the study led by Prof. Lijing Cheng with the Institute of Atmospheric Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. It involved a team of 54 scientists from seven countries and 31 institutes. About 90% of the excess heat from global warming is stored in the ocean, making ocean heat content a critical indicator of climate change. From 2023 to 2024, the global upper 2000 m ocean heat content increase is 16 zettajoules (1021 Joules), about 140 times the world's total electricity generation in 2023, according to the study, which is based on the Institute of Atmospheric Physics dataset. About 90% of the excess heat from global warming is stored in the ocean, making ocean heat content a critical indicator of climate change. From 2023 to 2024, the global upper 2000 m ocean heat content increase is 16 zettajoules (1021 Joules), about 140 times the world's total electricity generation in 2023, according to the study, which is based on the Institute of Atmospheric Physics dataset.
Muscat Daily
23-02-2025
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Mwasalat unveils ambitious public transport development strategy
Muscat – Oman National Transport Company (Mwasalat) has announced a comprehensive plan to overhaul the public transport system with the goal of starting work on both the Muscat Metro and water taxi projects by 2026. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance connectivity and promote sustainable transport solutions in Muscat, transforming the city's transportation landscape. At the second meeting of the year, Municipal Council of Muscat Governorate, chaired by Sayyid Saud bin Hilal al Busaidi, Governor of Muscat, discussed the future of public transport in the capital. Mwasalat provided an overview of its strategic plan for developing the public transport system, which covers the period from 2015 to 2040. The company aims to create a safe and accessible network, reduce reliance on private cars and support economic growth. Badr bin Mohammed al Nadabi, CEO of Mwasalat, outlined five key pillars of the plan – public transport legislation, bus transport system, urban transport services, passenger marine transport and railway systems. He explained that the first phase of the plan, which ran from 2015 to 2018, focused on establishing public bus routes, improving taxi operations and enhancing infrastructure. The second phase, ongoing since 2019, involves expanding bus services, creating new routes and constructing additional bus stations. Looking ahead, the third phase, from 2026 to 2040, will see the potential launch of Muscat Metro or light rail system, alongside introduction of water taxis for public transport. Mwasalat's fleet currently includes six ferries, 320 minibuses and 165 large buses. The company has set ambitious targets, including reaching 1mn daily passengers by 2040, achieving carbon neutrality and dedicating 25% of Muscat's main roads to public transport routes. Nadabi also addressed challenges facing the plan, including delays in developing Muscat's main public transport station, setbacks in allocating dedicated lanes for buses, and issues related to traffic signal prioritisation and infrastructure. Additionally, Muscat Municipality unveiled two key projects aimed at improving urban mobility. The first is a bicycle path in the Al Ansab area of Bausher, which will include shaded seating, children's play areas and facilities for people with special needs. The second project is a walkway in Daghmar, Quriyat designed for pedestrians and cyclists. The walkway will feature rest areas, public toilets, bicycle parking and space for mobile vendors.
