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The Sultanate of Oman keeps growing

Oman is currently undergoing a number of new developments and investments including an energy plant with windmills, a $22.5 million aquarium and improved public transport. 

Oman is currently undergoing a number of new developments and investments including an energy plant with windmills, a $22.5 million aquarium and improved public transport. 

The Sultanate of Oman is under a spell of great activity with significant development projects being signed off and planned this week as Muscat’s population size increases as does the volume of international travellers.

1. $2.5 billion Omagine Project gets signed off

Omagine LLC, a subsidiary of US-based Omagine, has signed an agreement with the Government of Oman to design, develop, own and operate a $2.5 billion tourism and real estate development project in the Sultanate. The Omagine project will be developed on a 1 million square metre prime beachfront land facing the Gulf of Oman, just west of the capital city of Muscat. It will be an integration of cultural, heritage, educational, entertainment and residential components. It will feature hotels, commercial buildings, retail establishments and more than 2,000 residences to be developed for sale. Omagine LLC is 60 per cent owned by Omagine Inc with Oman’s Royal Court Affairs holding 25 per cent, and the remaining 15 per cent owned by two subsidiaries of Consolidated Contractors International Company.

2. Improved Public Transport

In response to the population growth and traffic congestion in parts of the capital city Muscat, the Ministry of Transport shall unveil the new Master plan on year-end. Once it is implemented, it will lead to a better bus network and at later stages can be integrated with bus rapid transit (BRT) and light rail transit (LRT) systems.The plan is expected to be ready by December 2014. 

“Since Muscat is a linear city the LRT is particularly suited to it and it could be integrated in the future. The BRT, he said is another solution.”

                   Emilio Claver of Ineco Spain, Project Leader of PTMP

For the new public transport system to succeed there is also need for a change in the attitude among people who have a preference for car use.

3. Oman’s first wind energy plant to be ready by 2017

The Sultanate will sign an agreement on building a 50 MW wind energy-based plant for generating electricity on October 22, at the Al Bustan Palace Hotel. Located at Harweel in Dhofar Governorate on a total area of 200,000 square metres, the project’s estimated cost amounts to $200 million, and will be implemented by Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar), in favour of the Rural Areas Electricity Company (RAECO). Local contractors and SMEs will have a good share in the project that is expected to be completed within 24 months, to be in operation early in 2017.  The estimated daily energy production of the project  is 1200 MWH. daily.

New wind energy for Oman.

New wind energy for Oman.

4. First-ever Aquarium in Oman to be completed by 2016

A $22.5 million aquarium at Seeb harbour, the first of its kind in Oman, will be the biggest ever ‘Gift to The Nation’ by  Petroleum Development Oman (PDO). The company has a long tradition of marking every five years of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said’s rule with such endowments. Other gifts include the Oil and Gas Exhibition Centre, Planetarium, the EcOman Centre, the Public Knowledge Library and the Traffic Safety Institute. The aquarium project, which will mark the 45th anniversary of His Majesty’s reign next year, includes a range of features such as specialised viewing tanks, interactive activities and guided tours. Another central aspect of the building will be a research division for all fisheries studies by Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries staff, universities and other specialists.

Aquarium

The aquarium as ‘Gift to the Nation’.

What are your thoughts on Oman’s growth as an international travel destination?