Mahmood Rafique
The Sultanate of Oman announced the launch of the country’s largest Convention and Exhibition Centre project, taking the Sultanate’s ambitious tourism vision one step closer to a reality.
Omran, which is mandated by the Government of Oman to deliver major projects and manage tourism assets and Investments, formally broke ground on the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre, a major new project which will become one of the region’s leading facilities for conferences and exhibitions.
Under the auspices of Ahmed bin Abdulnabi Macki, Minister of National Economy and Deputy Chairman of Financial Affairs and Energy Resources Council, and in the presence of Dr. Rajiha bin AbdulAmeer bin Ali, Minister of Tourism and Chairperson of Omran, and many distinguished guests, the foundation stone for the centre was laid.
The key components of the centre include an auditorium with total seating capacity of 3,000 people, exhibition halls with 25,000sqm exhibition space and with the ability to seat 10,000 people in the first phase. The development will also have banquet halls, meeting space, 85,000 sqm of office space in a grade-A business park, four hotels with a total of 1,000 rooms and a large shopping mall.
Oman’s first international-standard convention centre which represents a major investment by Omran, this will allow Muscat to become a regional destination serving the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) sector, providing an additional boost to Oman’s fast-growing tourism industry.
“This facility will allow Oman to become a major new destination for conferences, exhibitions and other major business events. These will have a major impact on our economy in the future, creating many hundreds of jobs for Omanis and attracting hundreds of thousands of business travellers each year,” said Ahmed bin Abdulnabi Macki while welcoming the impact that the Centre will have on the Omani economy.
“Over recent years, Oman has taken major strides forward in attracting tourists to our many leisure resorts and hotels. Our strategy has always been to target the business sector too and this investment will provide us with an outstanding venue for conferences and exhibitions,” said Dr. Rajiha bint Abdul Ameer bin Ali.
Rajiha said the Centre represented an important element of Oman’s tourism strategy.
“We have completed many important stages of the design and planning work for the Centre and we are delighted to have started work on site. We have been given an ambitious timeline to complete the first phase of the project but as we showed with the site for the Asian Beach Games, we can rise to the challenge,” said Wael bin Ahmed Al Lawati, CEO of Omran.
“We commit to delivering a facility which will make Oman proud; one which will stand against the very best convention centres in the world.”
Just four kilometres from Muscat Airport, the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre will act as a gateway to Muscat. Its landmark design will draw on Oman’s strong cultural heritage and architectural traditions, taking full advantage of the natural beauty of its surroundings.
State-of-the-art conference and exhibition facilities will be complemented by four hotels, including a five star flagship property, two four star hotels and a boutique three star accommodation.
The master-planner and developer for the project, Omran, was established by the Government to deliver major real estate, hospitality and joint venture projects across Oman, in support of the nation’s long term economic strategy, ‘Vision 2020’, which sees tourism sector as a key contributor. It has just completed its first major project, the site for the Muscat Asian Beach Games 2010, which was handed over to the Games organizers in November.
Omran’s growing project portfolio, with a value of $10 billion, includes some of the largest developments in Oman such as the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre. Having delivered the 2nd Asian Beach Games facilities in record time and with an impressive health and safety record, it is now focusing on the delivery of its numerous projects spanning the country.