Thu, 24 May 2012
SALALAH -- Real estate in Salalah has great future. The place has been blessed with natural beauty and it has potential for economic development. The scope of economic development in Salalah vests in tourism and industries sectors and they make a solid ground for real estate development in Salalah.
Ali Hussein Muqaibal, Chairman of the Committee for Real Estate Development, told Observer during the meeting of real estate operators at the Salalah chapter of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industries yesterday.
Muqaibal laid out the reasons for real estate development in Salalah and said the overall development of Salalah and its emergence as one of the most developed cities in the Gulf region is not far to seek. He cited the development of state-of-the-art Salalah airport, successful launch of Salalah Free Zone (SFZ) and development of road infrastructure in whole of the Dhofar Governorate as reasons for real estate development.
Commenting on the yesterday's meeting with real estate operators, Muqaibal said, "The meeting was aimed at resolving some issues of real estate operators through discussion and positive dialogue. The issues are not very big but they need to be resolved to avoid any confusion." "We are looking forward to have practical norms on sell and purchase of lands and buildings and trying to have a nice co-ordination between buyers and sellers or customers and owners," he said. Muqaibal termed Salalah a unique place on many counts. "I think this is one of the rarest places where the journey between sea and mountain is hardly 15 minutes and mountain to desert is not more than 20 minutes."
From tourism view point we have four seasons. January to March is suitable for European tourists while Khareef is all time favourite for tourists from neighbouring Arab countries. The climate during this time is so good that tourists from other parts of the world also love to pour in to Salalah, he said.
Salalah's real estate has seen fast growth in recent times. Areas like Sadah, New Salalah, Gharbiya, Al Wadi, Awqad and Raisut have seen seen tremendous growth. Sadah area, which was known mainly for College of Applied Sciences and College of Higher Technology, has developed as self contained residential -- cum business area with all residential facilities, shopping complexes branches of five major banks.
Similar is the case with other new areas where development can easily be seen in terms of new roads, food outlets, bank branches and shopping areas. Real estate operator Abdullah finds great demand for houses, which is growing day by day. "This has happened due to on-going expansion work in almost all the sectors. There is a big flow of manpower in Salalah due to the airport expansion project and activities in Salalah Free Zone. Tourists' flow has also increased in recent past,"
The Dhofar Municipality has already started a number of road projects and anyone who is coming to Salalah after a gap of more than four years, will be in for a big surprise after seeing intersections, expanded roads and traffic signals at most of the roundabouts in the city. The Al Najah Street is being rebuilt and work on interlocking of footpaths and development of new parking areas is going on extensively in every part of the city.
Oman Daily Observer 2012
