Oman investing in infrastructure

Oman is to invest in its infrastructure

In order to attract foreign investors and service the national economy, Oman has announced that they will spend US$268.5 million on roads, aviation and sea lands projects.

23 agreements were signed at the Transport and Communications Ministry yesterday on behalf of the Government of the Sultanate of Oman by Dr. Khamis bin Mubarak al Alawi, Transport and Communications Minister and General Managers of the implementing companies.

Earlier in the month, speaking at the Oman Global Investment Forum, the minister of national economy, Ahmed bin Abdul Nabi Macki, told delegates that, "The government remains committed to continuing major development projects." He said that some US$2.43 billion had been budgeted for capital investment in 2010.

Strong growth

Among the works proposed would be improvements to the Sultanate's transport infrastructure, including ports, roads and airport developments, as well as rail links to major industrial centres within Oman and neighbouring Gulf Cooperation Council states. At stand-out project would be the new port currently under construction at Duqm, as well as expansions to the existing port facilities at Sohar and Salalah.

In terms of air expansion, which is prevalent all around the Middle East, there will be a  new airport, Ras Al Hadd Airport, constructed in the Al Sharqiyah Region. Other agreements have also be signed with Ibn Khaldon & Al Mada'yin Engineering Consultancy Bureau in relation to the construction of A'Duqm Airport and with Al Ahliyah Insurance Company for Muscat International and Salalah Airports.

With the proposed works and many others, government officials in Oman have predicted strong growth of six percent during 2010. This would be a massive increase on last year's growth figure of 3.7 percent, but it has been aided by stronger oil markets and Oman's increasing diversification.

Other projects Oman is plan is the designing and constructing of several new road networks such as the 11 km long internal roads in the Wilayat of Dima W'Atta'iyeen (Wadi Dima road) in the Al Sharqiyah Region, the designing, manufacturing and inspection of vessels waste treatment facilities at A'Duqm Dry Dock in the Wilayat of A'Duqm and planning new air routes over Oman's skies.

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Timon Singh

Timon Singh is a graduate of Liverpool University where he received a degree in Social and Economic History. He has previously worked for BBC Magazines on BBC Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine, the publication for the popular genealogy show.

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