Latest news with #KhalfanbinSaeedalShuaili
Muscat Daily
19-05-2025
- Business
- Muscat Daily
RO1.7bn pacts with Egypt's TMG for housing, tourism projects
Muscat – Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning has signed agreements with Egypt's Talaat Moustafa Group (TMG) to develop two large-scale housing and tourism projects in Muscat with total investment exceeding RO1.7bn (US$4.4bn). Signed during the 20th Oman Real Estate Conference and Exhibition on Monday, the agreements cover construction of 13,000 residential and hotel units across more than 4.9mn sqm of land. The two projects will be linked by an electric tram network. TMG will lead the development of an integrated residential community in Sultan Haitham City and a coastal tourism destination in Seeb. The residential project, spread over 2.6mn sqm, will include several new neighbourhoods within Sultan Haitham City, including Zones 7, 8, 9, 11, 12A and 12B. It will offer a mix of villas, apartments and multi-use buildings, along with parks, mosques, green spaces, and a sports and social club. The second project will develop 2.2mn sqm of coastal land in the Al Shakhakhit area of Seeb on a 1.76km beachfront along Sea of Oman. It will feature a yacht marina, a luxury hotel, villas, artificial lakes and landscaped public spaces aiming to position the area as a high-end marine tourism destination. 'These agreements embody Oman's vision of strengthening partnerships with major regional and international institutions,' said H E Dr Khalfan bin Saeed al Shuaili, Minister of Housing and Urban Planning. 'These contribute to accelerating the pace of smart urban development and provide a sustainable urban environment that supports citizens' aspirations and economic diversification.' He added, 'We are proceeding with implementation of strategic projects in Sultan Haitham City, which is central to future urban development in Oman. The agreements represent a tangible model of our ambitious development approach.' Hisham Talaat Moustafa, CEO of TMG, expressed pride in entering the Omani market with what he described as strategic investment in two model developments. 'The two projects will be developed simultaneously on plots west of Muscat and connected by a tram. The agreements mark a milestone in Oman's urban and tourism development, creating jobs and enhancing the real estate and tourism sectors with high-quality projects,' he said. Moustafa added that the Sultan Haitham City agreement with enhance its position as a benchmark for urban planning in the region, combining smart infrastructure with an advanced vision for sustainable growth. The ministry said the agreements reflect Oman's ability to attract high-value investments and deliver projects with real economic and social impact. Talaat Moustafa Group is one of the largest real estate and tourism developers in Egypt and a leading integrated institutions in the Middle East.
Zawya
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Oman: Majlis A'Shura flags housing concerns amid ambitious MHUP plans
Muscat – Members of Majlis A'Shura have voiced concerns over housing and the urban planning strategy urging closer alignment with local needs and more effective policy execution, as the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning (MHUP) unveiled its achievements and future plans in the sector. The issues were raised during the shura's ninth regular session on Monday, which included a detailed statement by H E Dr Khalfan bin Saeed al Shuaili, Minister of Housing and Urban Planning. The session was chaired by H E Khalid bin Hilal al Maawali, Chairman of Majlis A'Shura, in the presence of Ahmed bin Mohammed al Nadabi, Secretary-General of the shura. Shura members questioned the compatibility of urban designs with citizen preferences and local topography, while expressing doubt over the ministry's goal of raising the housing sector's GDP contribution from 2.6% in 2024 to 6.5% in 2025. They also highlighted the vulnerability of coastal cities to climate change, deterioration of older residential areas, lack of green spaces, and proximity of industrial zones to homes. Concerns were also raised over delays in housing aid, inadequate infrastructure in allocated plots, and the need for reforms in land policies. Several members called for more equitable rules on foreign property ownership and improved coordination between ministries to ensure sustainable development. Members of the shura referred to media statements issued by the ministry indicating that nearly 600,000 residential plots have been distributed. They noted that many of these plots are located in areas lacking basic infrastructure and services, rendering these unsuitable for construction or habitation. They cited official data showing that a total of 447,612 residential land applications had been submitted in the last decade till the end of December 2024, but only 343,629 plots were distributed. Based on this data, lawmakers asked what practical steps MHUP will adopt to amend existing housing plans and make these viable for development. They also sought clarity on how the ministry intends to tackle the persistent challenge of allocating residential land in undeveloped areas – an issue reportedly affecting multiple governorates. In response, H E Shuaili outlined progress made between 2021 and 2024, noting that 4,923 families benefited from the Social Housing Programme. He added that 2,189 plots of land were allocated for investment in commercial, industrial, agricultural and mixed-use categories between 2022 and 2025. Nearly 70,000 residential plots and housing units were distributed in the last three years, with property transactions during the period valued at over RO10bn. A major highlight of the ministry's strategy is development of five future cities – Sultan Haitham City, Al Thuraya and projects in Suhar, Nizwa and Salalah – covering a total area of 39mn sqm. Work is also underway on 22 integrated residential neighbourhoods with target of reaching 30 by 2025. H E Shuaili announced that in accordance with Royal Directives, 10% of new housing units in neighbourhood plans will be allocated to young families supported by the Marriage Fund, who will also benefit from reduced pricing. © Apex Press and Publishing Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Muscat Daily
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Muscat Daily
Majlis A'Shura flags housing concerns amid ambitious MHUP plans
Muscat – Members of Majlis A'Shura have voiced concerns over housing and the urban planning strategy urging closer alignment with local needs and more effective policy execution, as the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning (MHUP) unveiled its achievements and future plans in the sector. The issues were raised during the shura's ninth regular session on Monday, which included a detailed statement by H E Dr Khalfan bin Saeed al Shuaili, Minister of Housing and Urban Planning. The session was chaired by H E Khalid bin Hilal al Maawali, Chairman of Majlis A'Shura, in the presence of Ahmed bin Mohammed al Nadabi, Secretary-General of the shura. Shura members questioned the compatibility of urban designs with citizen preferences and local topography, while expressing doubt over the ministry's goal of raising the housing sector's GDP contribution from 2.6% in 2024 to 6.5% in 2025. They also highlighted the vulnerability of coastal cities to climate change, deterioration of older residential areas, lack of green spaces, and proximity of industrial zones to homes. Concerns were also raised over delays in housing aid, inadequate infrastructure in allocated plots, and the need for reforms in land policies. Several members called for more equitable rules on foreign property ownership and improved coordination between ministries to ensure sustainable development. Members of the shura referred to media statements issued by the ministry indicating that nearly 600,000 residential plots have been distributed. They noted that many of these plots are located in areas lacking basic infrastructure and services, rendering these unsuitable for construction or habitation. They cited official data showing that a total of 447,612 residential land applications had been submitted in the last decade till the end of December 2024, but only 343,629 plots were distributed. H E Dr Khalfan bin Saeed al Shuaili, Minister of Housing and Urban Planning Based on this data, lawmakers asked what practical steps MHUP will adopt to amend existing housing plans and make these viable for development. They also sought clarity on how the ministry intends to tackle the persistent challenge of allocating residential land in undeveloped areas – an issue reportedly affecting multiple governorates. In response, H E Shuaili outlined progress made between 2021 and 2024, noting that 4,923 families benefited from the Social Housing Programme. He added that 2,189 plots of land were allocated for investment in commercial, industrial, agricultural and mixed-use categories between 2022 and 2025. Nearly 70,000 residential plots and housing units were distributed in the last three years, with property transactions during the period valued at over RO10bn. A major highlight of the ministry's strategy is development of five future cities – Sultan Haitham City, Al Thuraya and projects in Suhar, Nizwa and Salalah – covering a total area of 39mn sqm. Work is also underway on 22 integrated residential neighbourhoods with target of reaching 30 by 2025. H E Shuaili announced that in accordance with Royal Directives, 10% of new housing units in neighbourhood plans will be allocated to young families supported by the Marriage Fund, who will also benefit from reduced pricing.
