Latest news with #Designand
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- General
- Irish Independent
Wexford student's ‘perseverance and creativity' results in outstanding first place in Ireland
New Ross Standard Today at 20:00 A Wexford student has been commended for his outstanding achievement having received top marks in last year's Design and Communication Graphics (DCG) Leaving Certificate exam. Staff and parents of CBS New Ross gathered recently to celebrate Shane Duhig, who was awarded joint-first in the state examination. Speaking about the achievement, school principal, Sarah Rice said: 'We are immensely proud to celebrate Shane's incredible accomplishment, which places him among the very best in the country and reflects his exceptional talent, creativity and dedication.' Ms Rice added that Shane's success is a testament, not only to his hard work and commitment, 'but also to the support and guidance of his teachers, Ms Mary O'Hanlon and Ms Ellen McCarthy, who nurtured his skills and passion for design throughout his time in CBS New Ross. Their expert teaching and encouragement helped Shane develop the precision, problem-solving ability and visual communication skills that DCG demands.' This national recognition is a source of 'great pride for the school community' and, Ms Rice stated that achievements as such 'highlight the standard of teaching and learning at CBS New Ross'. "Shane's achievement serves as an inspiration to all students, showing what is possible through perseverance and creativity. We warmly congratulate Shane, his family, Ms. O'Hanlon and Ms. McCarthy on this remarkable success,' concluded Ms Rice.
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.
Muscat Daily
19-05-2025
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Flagship cities unveiled in Jabal Akhdar, Bausher
Muscat – The Oman Real Estate Conference and Exhibition held alongside Design and Build Week kicked off on Monday under the patronage of H H Sayyid Bilarab bin Haitham al Said. A highlight of the opening day was the signing of nine strategic partnership and development agreements worth over RO2.3bn. During the opening ceremony, H H Sayyid Bilarab inaugurated two flagship projects – Al Thuraya City in Bausher, envisioned as a smart urban hub, and Al Jabal al Aali in Jabal Akhdar, designed as a global mountain tourism destination. Valued at RO 1.2bn, the Al Jabal al Aali project marks a major milestone in real estate and tourism investment in Jabal Akhdar. A partnership agreement was also signed for development of a health district within the project's Western Village with an investment of RO200mn. Covering 630,000sqm, the district will feature 500 residential and hotel units with total built-up area exceeding 100,000sqm reinforcing the project's positioning as an integrated health and ecotourism destination. Al Jabal al Aali in Jabal Akhdar Set 2,400m above sea level on the Hajar mountains, the 11.8sqkm Al Jabal Al Aali project boasts temperate climate, stunning vistas, and rich ecological diversity. It will offer over 2,500 residential units across three neighbourhoods and is expected to accommodate 10,000 residents. The project will include more than 2,000 hotel rooms and facilities capable of hosting up to 30,000 visitors during major events. Meanwhile, Al Thuraya City will be developed in three phases. Phase 1 spans more than 3mn sqm with total built-up area exceeding 831,000sqm. It will house over 8,000 people in 2,600 residential units across eight integrated neighbourhoods, featuring retail outlets, a 400-room hotel, schools, clinics, mosques, community centres, parks and sports facilities. Phase 2 will cover 3.6mn sqm and include 3,600 residential units across three neighbourhoods. An international design competition will be held as part of Phase 3 aimed at shaping the city's sustainable urban vision. A partnership agreement worth over RO240mn was signed at the conference to develop District No 6, a key neighbourhood within Phase 1 of Al Thuraya City in Bausher. Developed by Tathmeer Properties, the district will cover 285,000sqm and feature 1,000 residential units. Additionally, tenders worth RO13mn were awarded for landscaping, levelling and engineering consultancy works for Phase 1 of Al Thuraya City. Organised by Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning in collaboration with Oman Real Estate Association and Connect Company, the conference is one of the sultanate's leading platforms to promote investment opportunities and advance the real estate and construction sectors.
Observer
19-05-2025
- Business
- Observer
Several agreements signed at real estate conference, expo
Under the patronage of His Highness Sayyid Bilarab bin Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, the 20th edition of the Oman Real Estate Conference and Exhibition, along with the Design and Build Week, kicked off on Wednesday. Several major agreements were signed, including two partnership and investment deals worth over RO1.7 billion. These agreements will lead to the development of projects spanning more than 4.8 million sqm. Talaat Moustafa Group Real Estate, a prominent regional developer, is behind both initiatives. The first agreement focuses on the development of several neighborhoods in Madinat Sultan Haitham—specifically neighborhoods (7), (8), (9), (11), (12A), and (12B)—covering more than 2.6 million square meters. The project will feature a range of residential units, such as villas, apartments, and mixed-use buildings, along with fully integrated services including mosques, parks, green spaces, and a social and sports club. The second agreement involves the development of a coastal area in the Wilayat of Seeb into a distinctive tourism destination across more than 2.2 million square meters. The project will include a tourist hotel and residential units offering panoramic sea views, all connected by artificial lakes and a marina. Additionally, a terms agreement was signed for the development of districts (6C) and (6D) in Sultan Haitham City, with an investment exceeding RO150 million, in partnership with Al-Idrak Real Estate Development Company. Moreover, a site preparation tender for package (1A), valued at RO6 million, was awarded as part of efforts to advance the city's infrastructure readiness. The event is organized by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning, in collaboration with the Oman Real Estate Association and Connect Company. This event stands as one of the leading real estate platforms in the Sultanate of Oman, attracting wide participation from major local and international investors and real estate developers, alongside a distinguished group of experts and consultants specializing in urban planning, urban development, and real estate investment. The conference provides a strategic platform to showcase major real estate projects, highlight promising investment opportunities, and foster effective partnerships between the public and private sectors in line with national efforts to enhance the business environment and ensure the sustainability of urban growth. Additionally, the accompanying exhibition offers ideal opportunities for those seeking to own a home by exploring a wide range of residential units showcased by top developers, and learning more about project details
Observer
12-05-2025
- Business
- Observer
Real estate conference a key platform for developers, investors
Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman is all set to launch the 20th edition of the Oman Real Estate Conference and Exhibition next week, coinciding with Design and Build Week, scheduled to take place from May 19 to 24 at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre. The event is organised by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning in collaboration with the Oman Real Estate Association. The conference serves as a key strategic platform that attracts elite developers, investors, and both local and international experts, as Oman continues its efforts to strengthen its regional position as a leading hub for sustainable urban investment. Speaking at the media briefing on Monday, Jamal al Hadi, Media Adviser to the Minister of Housing and Urban Planning, confirmed that the conference aligns with national priorities aimed at achieving integrated urban development and enhancing Oman's global presence as an attractive investment destination. He highlighted that the "Invest in Oman" identity and global promotional initiatives are in line with these efforts to strengthen Oman's image in regional and international markets. Al Hadi explained that the real estate sector is now a fundamental pillar in supporting the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and enhancing the national economy. He noted that the conference brings together all stakeholders in the real estate ecosystem under one roof including investors, developers, individual beneficiaries and financial institutions led by Oman Housing Bank, which provides integrated financing solutions. Real estate conference a key platform for developers, investors FUTURE CITIES The conference reflects the government's direction towards developing smart cities and sustainable urban communities, with the announcement of landmark projects that mark a qualitative leap in the urban investment landscape, including the Sultan Haitham City, the Future City of Salalah and Al Khuwair Downtown project. The conference will witness the signing of new agreements under the 'Sorouh' initiative, one of the leading programmes aimed at providing integrated residential options that meet the aspirations of citizens. The initiative includes 18 projects distributed across 10 governorates, with over 90 per cent of the first phase already sold. Al Hadi pointed out that the ministry aims to reach 60 residential projects by 2030, as part of an ambitious vision to cover various wilayats of the Sultanate of Oman. He explained that these projects have contributed to creating hundreds of jobs and supporting small and medium enterprises, while achieving more than a 45-per cent reduction in infrastructure costs through integrated planning and optimised urban density. Real estate conference a key platform for developers, investors OVER 40 SPEAKERS, 180 EXHIBITORS The conference will host more than 40 international speakers participating in 10 discussion panels addressing global trends in urban planning, real estate investment and smart cities. The event will also feature 180 exhibition booths covering an area of over 13,000 square metres. The accompanying exhibition offers a comprehensive platform to showcase the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning's major projects, including the Sultan Haitham City, the Oman Mountain Destination and Al Khuwair Downtown project. The conference programme is rich with diverse activities and interactive sessions, including live presentations of future urban projects, specialised workshops on design and urban planning, as well as an investment forum, a youth forum, and a series of panel discussions that highlight challenges and showcase solutions, best practices, and international expertise in urban development and real estate investment. The conference will also address the adoption of smart and sustainable city models that focus on multi-resource development, improving quality of life, and enabling digital transformation and property technology (PropTech) by leveraging the latest technologies in planning, management and marketing.
