MUSCAT, DEC 24 - A new shopping destination — the RO 100 million Al Araimi Boulevard — was officially inaugurated by His Highness Sayyid Harib bin Thuwaini al Said on Monday. It is now open for public. The Boulevard Centre is located in Al Khoudh. The inauguration of shops at the Al Raid Group’s Al Araimi Boulevard, spread over an area of 187,000 square metres, is expected to happen later. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ali al Araimi, Chairman of Al Raid Group, said: “The ‘Boulevard’ will change the commercial landscape in Oman through its innovative style.”
It has also ensured that Omani youth will get priority. More than 3,000 direct jobs have been provided by the Centre besides other indirect jobs.
The Boulevard is expected to see some 20 international restaurants and 264 shops with areas ranging from 70-160 sqr mtr as well as a Carrefour Hypermarket, which will occupy 10,000 sqr mtr of space.
It will have a playground and entertainment specially for children, besides cinemas with 10 3D screens.
It has more than 3,000 car parking spaces. All the shops have been leased out.
The two-storied building has a large glass dome at the centre, which allows penetration of light minus the heat.
The main entrance is bounded by a 50-ft high glass wall, allowing visitors to have a view of store fronts and façades.
The Al Raid Group, said Al Araimi, will go ahead with the establishment of commercial, leisure and tourist projects and facilities.
The company has allocated RO 400 million over five years to be invested in these sectors.
Emphasising significance of such projects, he said: “They are deemed as a direct translation of the government guidelines for creating and procuring job opportunities for Omani citizens and providing opportunities for establishment of private projects.”
“Creating employment opportunities for youth and supporting them to establish their own projects tops our plans.”
Early next month, the Group will hold the groundbreaking ceremony for the ‘Al-Araimi Walk’ in Barka. It is expected to be ready by 2020.
Speaking about Al Araimi Boulevard, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah al Araimi, Board Member of Al Raid Group, said: “We have combined retail and entertainment to give consumers full enjoyment of the project.”
It has the first dancing fountain in Oman. “We have the first open-sky light and a bio-friendly environment.”
“We support Omani and international endeavours. However, there has been a special focus on SMEs, in which we try to incubate and help as many as we can by offering rent-free space for events and activities throughout the year,” he said.
“We have allocated significant areas for the private projects and giving them support according to their potential. We shall offer through this Centre a special experience by dedicating one day of every week for domestic/ small business owners to exhibit their products/ crafts.”
He also said the Group makes all efforts to provide job opportunities for citizens, help them establish own projects and launch Omani trademarks.
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