The Oman Tourism Development Company (Omran) has awarded two major consultancy contracts for the first phase of its ambitious RO500-million ($1.3 billion) Mina Al Sultan Qaboos Waterfront project.

The biggest Ikea store in the Gulf will open in Bahrain in the second quarter of 2018, it was revealed at the ground-breaking ceremony of the project in late October. Located in Salmabad, the BD47 million store will have a total retail area of 37,000 sq m ($124.

Henkel has undertaken a strategic review of its portfolio and its branding approach, as part of its strategy to pursue the growth for its Building Materials business, through further expanding its global Ceresit footprint into emerging markets whilst building on strong market positions.

Oman’s Special Economic Zone Authority at Duqm (Sezad) has signed three contracts worth RO169 million ($437 million) for the construction of the second package of the Duqm Port and a fishing port. These contracts are part of a plan to make Sezad a major hub for the fishing industry.  Two of the contracts are for a RO60.7-million ($156.

Bahrain-based architecture and design consultancy Intec has tied-up with two leading international firms that will complement its range of services.

United Development Company (UDC) has signed contracts worth QR716 million ($197 million) to develop three new projects at its flagship development The Pearl-Qatar.

Oman is to invest about $20 billion in the country’s transport sector, which remains lucrative with ongoing projects such as road expansion and the proposed GCC-wide rail infrastructure, said a report. The investment, which will be made over the next 15 years, is especially for developing infrastructure projects in this sector.

Work at the Al Bayt Stadium in Qatar, a proposed host venue for 2022 Fifa World Cup matches, is in full swing following successful work on the foundations and the installation of the first sections of the 12-m lower tier walls, which will carry the weight of the entire stadium structure, said the project director.

Sika Arabia, a leading manufacturer of admixtures, is hopeful of accelerated growth, given the pace of project development in the GCC and is looking to set up additional production facilities in the region.

Thomas Bell-Wright recently launched its new certification mark, which was promoted at The Big 5 show last month.

TTM Post Tensioning (TTM), a KBW Investments company, has completed a post-tensioning (PT) contract worth QR1.5 million ($411,500) for the K&H Al Mana 03 mall in Doha, Qatar. The retail and hospitality complex, with confirmed anchor tenants like Carrefour and international food and beverage outlets, includes an expansive cinema.

Tenders to construct the King Abdullah Medical City in Bahrain are expected to be issued this month (December). It comes as designs were finalised for the project, paid for through a SR1 billion ($378 million) grant from the late King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

Qatar District Cooling Company (Qatar Cool) has signed a service agreement with Qatar Industrial Manufacturing Company (QIMC) for its new tower at West Bay in Doha, said a report.

Turkey to invite solar plant bids Turkey will start the bidding process this month (December) for a 1,000 MW solar power plant, poised to be the largest of its kind in the world.