Six major players in the project development sector are in the race to develop Oman Business Gateway, a mixed-use project in Muscat featuring commercial assets such as office spaces, residential units, retail outlets, as well as a hotel, reported Muscat Daily.

 

These are French builder Bouygues Batiment International; the regional unit of Australia's Plenary Group and Kuwait-based Alghanim International General Trading & Contracting Company as well as Omani groups Galfar Engineering & Contracting Company, Muscat National Development & Investment Company (Asaas) and Amjaad Group.

 

The Oman Business Gateway, being developed as a Public Private Partnership (PPP) project, will come up on a 215,000 sqm area in the upscale Airport Heights in Muscat governorate.

 

The project is being set up as a vibrant, commercially-focused hub with a variety of mixed-use assets. It will transform the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion (MoCIIP) land located at Airport Heights into a center for commercial activity and economic growth.

 

The Ministry of Finance said Oman Business Gateway project began with a feasibility study, followed by the issuance of the RFQ tender in February. Out of 68 interested companies, eight submitted their documents for the RFQ tender, and six have now been shortlisted.

 

These shortlisted companies will be invited to submit their proposals, after which the real estate development contract will be awarded to the winning bidder, it stated.

 

The scope of work for the company, as the project master developer, will be to provide overall design, financing, development and operation of the Oman Business Gateway. 

 

The purpose of the project is to create an inclusive and connected environment where private businesses and government can thrive together, it added.

 

A key highlight of the Gateway will be the construction of the new MoCIIP headquarters on a 30,000 sq m area that will house all ministry and departmental staff. The new building will replace the current offices of MoCIIP, reported Muscat Daily.

 

With the MoCIIP headquarters at its foundation complemented by a mix of retail, commercial and accommodation, this flagship project is poised to significantly enhance the economic landscape of Muscat Governorate, it added.