Oman real estate expo opens amid strong investment push
Investments worth more than RO 320 m announced for new residential neighbourhoods in Sultan Haitham CityThe 'Sorouh' initiative secured investments exceeding RO 123 million for integrated residential neighbourhoods across several governoratesMore than 2,167 residential units are planned under newly signed development agreements
Published: 04:05 PM,May 10,2026 | EDITED : 08:05 PM,May 10,2026
MUSCAT: The 21st edition of the Oman Real Estate Conference and Exhibition 2026 opened on Sunday under the auspices of Sultan bin Salim al Habsi, at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The conference brings together government officials, investors, developers and international experts to explore the future of urban development and real estate investment in Oman.
Organised by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning in partnership with the Oman Real Estate Association and Connect, the four-day event highlights Oman’s accelerating urban transformation and growing appeal as a regional hub for sustainable real estate investment.
The exhibition serves as a platform to showcase major urban projects, integrated communities and investment opportunities, while strengthening collaboration between public and private sector stakeholders. Visitors are also exploring residential projects, financing solutions and modern construction technologies presented by leading local and international companies.
A major highlight of the opening ceremony was the announcement of several strategic agreements linked to future cities and integrated developments, particularly Sultan Haitham City.
The ministry signed an agreement with Retal Development Company to develop residential neighbourhoods 3, 15 and 17 within Sultan Haitham City over an area exceeding 640,000 square metres, with investments surpassing RO 320 million.
Infrastructure contracts covering roads, bridges, landscaping and site preparation were also awarded to Al Tasnim Group, Strabag Oman and GDS, reflecting the rapid pace of implementation within the project.
Speaking on the sidelines of the exhibition, Fahad bin Mohammed al Rashidi said Oman’s real estate sector has witnessed significant progress in recent years, driven by large-scale urban projects and investor-friendly regulations.
“Sultan Haitham City represents one of the region’s most promising future city models, combining advanced infrastructure with a planning vision focused on sustainability and quality of life,” he said.
He added that the strong participation of Gulf and international firms reflects growing confidence in Oman’s economy and the competitiveness of its real estate and tourism sectors.
The event also witnessed the awarding of consultancy supervision services for developers’ construction works in Al Thuraya City in cooperation with Khatib & Alami to strengthen project governance and quality standards.
In addition, a memorandum of understanding was signed with Artas Holding for the development of the Al Khuwair Downtown project, expected to become a modern urban and economic hub in the capital.
Meanwhile, Ozgur Demir described Oman as one of the region’s most attractive emerging real estate markets due to its economic stability and clear urban planning vision.
“The projects showcased during the exhibition reflect a modern approach towards building integrated and sustainable cities that prioritise innovation, green spaces and smart infrastructure,” he said.
The exhibition also saw the signing of five agreements under the 'Sorouh' initiative to develop integrated residential neighbourhoods across several governorates, with investments exceeding RO 123 million and plans for more than 2,167 residential units.
Additional investment opportunities were announced under the initiative, including six new residential and urban development projects covering more than 1.4 million square metres in strategic locations across the Sultanate of Oman.
On the social responsibility front, the ministry signed an MoU with Dar Al Attaa Association to implement social housing projects for eligible families, including 'Hay Al Atta’a 2' and 'Hay Al Atta’a 3' in Al Amerat.
The opening ceremony also featured the launch of several endowment investment opportunities through the 'Tatweer' platform in cooperation with the Oman Endowment Foundation.
Dr Abdulaziz bin Amer al Suwaei said the initiative marks an important step towards modernising endowment investments and strengthening institutional partnerships that support Oman’s economic and social development.
Alongside the exhibition, specialised programmes including 'Ruwad' and 'Itqan' were launched to build national capabilities in real estate marketing, digital innovation and urban planning technologies, reflecting the ministry’s focus on empowering Omani talent and advancing smart urban development.
The conference programme includes more than 50 panel discussions and workshops featuring over 95 local and international speakers addressing global trends in real estate, smart cities, sustainability and property technologies.
The exhibition which concludes on May 13 offers visitors an interactive opportunity to explore housing projects, financing solutions and modern construction technologies, reinforcing Oman’s growing reputation as a promising destination for real estate investment and sustainable urban development.