Latest news with #MoHUP


Zawya
5 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Oman: MoHUP offers 14 investment opportunities
The 'Tatweer' platform of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning (MoHUP) has launched 14 agricultural and commercial investment opportunities across several wilayats in Al Sharqiyah North Governorate. These opportunities are available for the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, and Al Sharqiyah North Governor's Office, covering agriculture, real estate development and commercial investment. The sale of investment prospectuses for these opportunities began on Tuesday, with some prospectuses set to be available starting on August 14. Eng Hamad bin Rashid al Sawaei, Assistant Director-General of Agriculture and Water Resources in Al Sharqiyah North, explained that the investment opportunities are designed to enable private sector institutions and companies to benefit from diverse prospects in agriculture and commerce. The agricultural opportunities aim to adopt modern farming techniques by establishing advanced projects for cultivating various crops, including figs, onions, garlic, potatoes and date palms. He added that these projects will adopt integrated production systems, leveraging modern technologies in farming, irrigation and post-harvest processes to ensure sustainability, high product quality and enhanced competitiveness in regional and global markets. Meanwhile, the commercial investment opportunities allow investors to establish strategic business projects aligned with the proposed requirements. 2025 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (


Observer
5 days ago
- Business
- Observer
MoHUP offers 14 investment opportunities
IBRA: The 'Tatweer' platform of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning (MoHUP) has launched 14 agricultural and commercial investment opportunities across several wilayats in Al Sharqiyah North Governorate. These opportunities are available for the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, and Al Sharqiyah North Governor's Office, covering agriculture, real estate development and commercial investment. The sale of investment prospectuses for these opportunities began on Tuesday, with some prospectuses set to be available starting on August 14. Eng Hamad bin Rashid al Sawaei, Assistant Director-General of Agriculture and Water Resources in Al Sharqiyah North, explained that the investment opportunities are designed to enable private sector institutions and companies to benefit from diverse prospects in agriculture and commerce. The agricultural opportunities aim to adopt modern farming techniques by establishing advanced projects for cultivating various crops, including figs, onions, garlic, potatoes and date palms. He added that these projects will adopt integrated production systems, leveraging modern technologies in farming, irrigation and post-harvest processes to ensure sustainability, high product quality and enhanced competitiveness in regional and global markets. Meanwhile, the commercial investment opportunities allow investors to establish strategic business projects aligned with the proposed requirements.


Observer
24-07-2025
- Business
- Observer
MoHUP pavilion highlights the future of urban life
Muscat: In a unique initiative that blends visionary planning with public engagement, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning (MoHUP) inaugurated its 'Future Cities' exhibition pavilion at the Oman Across Ages Museum. The exhibit, which will run from July through September 2025, is part of the ministry's broader mission to raise public awareness about Oman's urban development vision and sustainable planning goals. The pavilion offers an immersive experience for visitors, highlighting key strategic projects that embody the future of urban life in the Sultanate of Oman. These initiatives reflect Oman's commitment to building modern, inclusive and smart cities based on the principles of sustainability, quality of life and urban integration. At the heart of the exhibition lies Sultan Haitham City, the country's first integrated and sustainable next-generation city. Designed with cutting-edge infrastructure and intelligent systems, the city aims to provide a high quality of life through walkable neighbourhoods, green spaces and comprehensive services. This landmark project exemplifies the Oman's shift towards building future-ready cities and reflects the vision of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik for a society that balances economic prosperity with environmental responsibility and human well-being. Beyond Sultan Haitham City, the pavilion showcases a diverse array of strategic projects derived from Oman's National Urban Development Strategy. Among them is the Highland City project, an innovative model for sustainable mountain development that combines natural topography with advanced residential and tourism solutions. The pavilion also features Al Thuraya City — a futuristic smart city development located in the heart of Muscat. With its global investment outlook and sustainable design, the project demonstrates Oman's ambition to become a leader in smart urbanism. Another highlight is the Central Al Khuwair Master Plan, which reimagines a dynamic, mixed-use urban core in Muscat. Meanwhile, in the south, the Future Salalah City is presented as a landmark coastal development in Dhofar Governorate, designed to harmonise with the region's rich ecological and cultural identity. The exhibition also shines a spotlight on the Sorouh initiative — a national programme aimed at delivering integrated residential neighbourhoods that meet the evolving housing needs of Oman's population. These communities are designed with a focus on sustainability, affordability and livability, offering diverse housing solutions tailored to different social segments. One of the exhibition's special features includes a display of the Royal Directives issued by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, which have significantly influenced the trajectory of Oman's urban development efforts. These endorsements mark pivotal moments in shaping cities that reflect the nation's aspirations for innovation, inclusivity and sustainability. On the sidelines of the inauguration, a prize draw was held for attendees of the Oman Real Estate Conference and the 20th edition of the Design and Build Week. The prizes — ranging from apartments and plots in Sultan Haitham City and Sorouh neighbourhoods to luxury cars and exclusive home furnishing packages — were aimed at stimulating public interest and investment in Oman's evolving housing sector. This initiative forms part of a broader strategy to invigorate the real estate market while encouraging citizens to explore integrated housing options that combine quality construction, comprehensive services and a modern community ethos.


Observer
19-06-2025
- Business
- Observer
Break bureaucratic barriers for a smarter future
In recent months, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik has led a notable wave of political and economic engagement, marked by official state visits to countries such as Belgium, the Netherlands, Russia and Algeria. These visits aim to bolster Oman's strategic, political and economic interests. They also reflect a broader ambition to expand Oman's horizons, foster dynamic trade relations with the global community, attract foreign investment, and project Oman as a model in the region and beyond. Alongside these diplomatic initiatives, Oman's soft power has been on full display. It played a vital role in hosting nuclear talks between the US and Iran — before they were undermined by Israeli actions — and in facilitating the halt of Ansar Allah attacks on maritime traffic in the Bab al Mandeb Strait and the Red Sea. These accomplishments reinforce Oman's balanced approach to regional instability and global conflict. They also have profound implications for global trade and security. Guided by His Majesty's forward-looking vision, there is an urgent need to translate this high-level economic philosophy into dynamic domestic momentum. This requires a flexible economy that can keep pace with global changes — whether in economic diversification, clean energy transition, attracting technological investment, or elevating the efficiency of public administration to meet these aspirations and generate meaningful job opportunities for Omanis. At the macro level, the national direction appears bold and clear. However, at the micro level, there is often a lack of alignment. Some units within the public service apparatus appear insufficiently responsive or engaged in delivering the agility required for today's dynamic economic landscape. This is particularly evident in sectors such as commerce, electronic governance, workforce nationalisation, and employment. Take agriculture and industry, for example. Business owners frequently raise concerns over high electricity tariffs and the contradictory requirements imposed by various service agencies. Many departments appear to focus on procedural minutiae at the expense of seeing the broader national objective — facilitating business activity, attracting investors, and, most importantly, empowering citizens to thrive in enterprise through enabling legislation and swift responsiveness. This lack of coherence partly explains the establishment of the 'Tajawob' platform, initiated by His Majesty to improve government responsiveness to public concerns. It also reflects the reality behind overcrowded service centres and complaints desks. If government units were already proactive and solutions-oriented, such measures might not have been necessary. Unfortunately, delays and complications remain common, especially in food security and industrial projects. A prime example is how some investors receive land through the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning (MoHUP), only to be overwhelmed later by excessive conditions, fees, and delays from other agencies. The 'Invest in Oman' portal may boast about streamlined services, but the ground reality often tells a different story. In twenty-first-century Oman, we must move beyond entrenched bureaucracy in some service units and adopt a culture of proactive problem-solving. Our government strategy should reflect the same drive and energy at both the leadership and implementation levels, ensuring that the public and business communities feel the impact of policy reforms through tangible, everyday improvements. We must adopt a fully integrated, transparent, and user-friendly digital government system with minimal fees, making Oman a competitive destination for global investment. This, in turn, will help generate more jobs for young Omanis. There are successful global models to draw upon — Estonia, for example, with its digital ID system that allows citizens to vote, sign documents, pay taxes, and access nearly all government services online. Over 99 per cent of Estonia's government services are available around the clock. The concept of 'e-residency' even allows anyone in the world to register and run a company in Estonia remotely. Their paperless government eliminates outdated issues like unreliable staff attitudes, broken systems and absentee managers. By adopting such innovations, Oman can eliminate unnecessary delays and align its administrative practices with its bold economic vision — turning ambition into opportunity for its people and securing its place on the global economic map. The original version of this article was published in Arabic in Oman Arabic on June 15. Translated by Badr al Dhafri


Zawya
15-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
ICC to showcase building safety and innovation expertise at Oman Design & Build Week
Dubai, UAE: The International Code Council (ICC) is set to participate in Oman Design & Build Week (ODBW), taking place from May 19–21 at the Oman Convention & Exhibition Center in Muscat. Recognized as a leading platform for professionals in construction, design, and real estate, ODBW offers valuable opportunities for knowledge exchange and industry collaboration. Representing the ICC, Mohammed Amer, Managing Director – ICC MENA, will deliver a presentation focused on how building codes serve as a safety-first foundation for enabling the adoption of innovative and modern construction methods. The session will highlight the importance of robust regulatory frameworks in supporting technological advancement while ensuring safety and performance remain central to the built environment. Amer will also join a panel discussion on Sustainability in Construction, where he will share his insights on how modern building codes, innovative practices, and sustainable design standards can drive more environmentally responsible and energy-efficient development. Speaking about ICC's involvement, Amer said, 'It's an honor to support Oman's vision for safe, sustainable, and innovative building practices. By collaborating on the development of local building codes, we're helping ensure a resilient and forward-thinking construction industry.' This participation builds on ICC's agreement with Oman's Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning (MoHUP), signed last year to enhance building safety and construction standards across the Sultanate, through the development of the Oman Building Code (OBC), five specialty codes and a range of user tools including training and credentialing. As part of this initiative, ICC will be conducting training online and in Muscat throughout 2025. Its involvement in Oman Design & Build Week reflects a continued commitment to supporting Oman's evolving construction industry, where safety, innovation, and sustainability remain key priorities. About the International Code Council The International Code Council is the leading global source of model codes and standards and building safety solutions. Code Council codes, standards and solutions are used to ensure safe, affordable and sustainable communities and buildings worldwide. More information about ICC MENA: Middle East Media Enquiries should be directed to AllDetails: Diane D'costa, Senior PR Account Manager Email: Chamodi Gunawardane, Junior PR Account Manager, Email: