13 February 2017
Kaushalendra Singh
Salalah - With the soft opening of RO 3 million China Commercial Town (CCT) Salalah has attracted a large number of investors from China in Raysut Industrial Estate. The CCT opened on Friday under the auspices of Salim bin Aufit al Shanfari, Chairman of Dhofar Municipality. Spread over 16,000 square metres the CCT has more than 280 functional shop units with provisions of expansion on first and second floors of the Commercial Town. Other services like dancing fountain, kids playing area and a food court are under consideration of the CCT management.

Yajia Gao, Managing Director of CCT, termed opening of CCT in Salalah as a stepping stone and hinted at several phases of expansion in near future. The official opening of the CCT is scheduled in the last week of March. “Soon after the official launch we have plans to start work on half a million Rial entertainment park in the Jawaharat Salalah premises. Other expansions would depend on the performance of these two major investment projects,” said Gao in an interview with Oman Observer. Gao finds Salalah an interesting investment destination with many opportunities which are yet to be thought and considered.

Asked about the expansion plans in mind, Gao said it was too early to comment and not a good idea to reveal “your own business ideas for others to grab.”

“What I can say at this stage is the fact that there are many sectors which have not yet been tapped and with such a fantastic location and connectivity many businesses are possible by making Salalah as hub,” he said.

Commenting advantages of being in Salalah Gao said, “It is very good in terms of infrastructure. Port and airport are strategically located and geographically it is very close to African horn countries.”

Gao is elated over the success of CCT in Ajman in UAE and hopes to translate same performance in Salalah. The complex a large range of products ranging from beauty materials, ready-made garments to household fancy and equipment besides finishing construction materials like floor tiles and electronic goods. It has two prayer halls, restaurants and coffee shops.

Talking about CCT priorities in Oman, Gao said doing business is our priority but making money is not the only priority. “We want to contribute to the society, local community and want to work as a bridge between Oman and China to make our bond stronger.”

The CCT is part of Jawaharat Salalah project, which is being developed by the Jawaharat al Fanar (JF) Group of Kuwait. This is one of the most ambitious projects in Dhofar Governorate with residential, industrial and entertainment projects besides a big shopping centre located on the ring road leading to the heart of Salalah and Muscat.

The ‘Jawaharat Salalah’ project is spread over 300,000 square metres. According to Ammar al Mahroon al Mahroon, Director-General of Engineering Department of Jawaharat Salalah, “the one of its kind project has integrated facilities for its investors. In a nut shell this is an opportunity for the investors to grab the opportunity, as we have one stop shop in its truest sense with all possible amenities in one campus.”

Jawaharat Salalah has nine major projects, work on which is going on in a phased manner. The projects are Recreational and shopping centre; Hotel and business services centre; Training Centre; Commercial mall; Fuel station; Indutrial area; Residential buildings; Office buildings and Administrative offices,” al Marhoon said.

© Oman Daily Observer 2017