15 September 2010
MUSCAT: The much-delayed construction of a world-class convention and exhibition centre near Muscat International Airport, Seeb, started gathering momentum with 16 companies submitting bids for the first package of site preparation and enabling works.
Of the 16 major construction firms, Al Alawazi International Company came first with its lowest bid amount of RO2.45 million, followed by Desert Line Projects and Ali & Company Trading & Contracting with their RO2.88 million andRO2.90 million bid prices, respectively.
Other construction majors like Galfar Engineering & Contracting, Towell Construction, Carillion Alawi, Douglas OHI and Al Hajiry are also in the race to bag the contract. The completion of the first package will pave the way for the main civil construction work.
Oman Tourism Development Company (Omran), the investment arm of the government for developing tourism infrastructure, is overseeing the development of the ambitious project, which will help to position the Sultanate of Oman as an emerging regional destination for meetings, conferences and exhibition.
The prestigious convention centre, which was proposed more than three years ago, will have world class amenities like a mega auditorium, several star hotels and retail facilities.
Planned in a large plot four kilometres away from Muscat International Airport, the convention centre will have a major purpose-built conference hall with a huge capacity of 5,500-6,000 seats, 30,000 square metres exhibition/multi-user sports centre, several hotels in five, four and three-star categories, 20 meeting rooms (each with 250 seating capacity), a business park covering approximately 70,000 square metres, restaurants, cafes, press centre, shopping mall (125,000 square metres) and recreation facilities.
The main conference room or auditorium will have all state-of-the-art equipment, including video conferencing.
As far as the hotel and other accommodation facilities are concerned, like any other international convention centre, the plan is to build a five-star, two four-star and one three-star hotels -- all with 250 rooms/suites each.
Further, there will be a serviced hotel apartment with 150 rooms.
According to Omran, the location has several topographical features, including good elevation overlooking the Gulf of Oman and several wadis with one major wadi running north south bisecting the site into two.
Since the convention centre is coming up close to the airport, it is conceived as a truly iconic gateway to Muscat, with a design and character that reflects Oman's rich cultural heritage, architectural traditions and breathtaking natural beauty.
MUSCAT: The much-delayed construction of a world-class convention and exhibition centre near Muscat International Airport, Seeb, started gathering momentum with 16 companies submitting bids for the first package of site preparation and enabling works.
Of the 16 major construction firms, Al Alawazi International Company came first with its lowest bid amount of RO2.45 million, followed by Desert Line Projects and Ali & Company Trading & Contracting with their RO2.88 million andRO2.90 million bid prices, respectively.
Other construction majors like Galfar Engineering & Contracting, Towell Construction, Carillion Alawi, Douglas OHI and Al Hajiry are also in the race to bag the contract. The completion of the first package will pave the way for the main civil construction work.
Oman Tourism Development Company (Omran), the investment arm of the government for developing tourism infrastructure, is overseeing the development of the ambitious project, which will help to position the Sultanate of Oman as an emerging regional destination for meetings, conferences and exhibition.
The prestigious convention centre, which was proposed more than three years ago, will have world class amenities like a mega auditorium, several star hotels and retail facilities.
Planned in a large plot four kilometres away from Muscat International Airport, the convention centre will have a major purpose-built conference hall with a huge capacity of 5,500-6,000 seats, 30,000 square metres exhibition/multi-user sports centre, several hotels in five, four and three-star categories, 20 meeting rooms (each with 250 seating capacity), a business park covering approximately 70,000 square metres, restaurants, cafes, press centre, shopping mall (125,000 square metres) and recreation facilities.
The main conference room or auditorium will have all state-of-the-art equipment, including video conferencing.
As far as the hotel and other accommodation facilities are concerned, like any other international convention centre, the plan is to build a five-star, two four-star and one three-star hotels -- all with 250 rooms/suites each.
Further, there will be a serviced hotel apartment with 150 rooms.
According to Omran, the location has several topographical features, including good elevation overlooking the Gulf of Oman and several wadis with one major wadi running north south bisecting the site into two.
Since the convention centre is coming up close to the airport, it is conceived as a truly iconic gateway to Muscat, with a design and character that reflects Oman's rich cultural heritage, architectural traditions and breathtaking natural beauty.
By A. E. James
© Times of Oman 2010
