Schools drive Dhofar’s latest government land deals

SALALAH: Five private schools account for half of ten new government land agreements signed in Dhofar, marking a shift in land allocations towards education, services and diversified investment alongside traditional agricultural projects.
The usufruct agreements, covering more than 54,000 square metres across Salalah, Thumrait, Taqah, and Shaleem and Al Hallaniyat Islands, carry a combined investment value of around RO 5.01 million.
The agreements were signed on July 30 by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning, in cooperation with the ministries of Labour, Education, and Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, during the second Khareef Real Estate Season at Al Haffa Waterfront.
Besides the five schools, the projects include warehouses, an office for an inspection team, an events hall, and two commercial and industrial ventures.
The latest package highlights a broader use of government land, directing investment towards education, public services and economic activities across Dhofar.

Ahmed bin Said Huwairar al Maashani, Director of the Housing Department at the Directorate-General of Housing and Urban Planning in Dhofar, said the agreements reflected the transformation of investment opportunities into actual projects.
“The public signing is not limited to concluding contracts. It sends a clear message that the investment opportunities offered by the ministry are being converted into actual projects within a framework of transparency, confidence and partnership with the private sector,” he said.
Under the usufruct system, investors develop and operate projects on government land for specified activities, while ownership remains with the state.
The latest agreements come after several years of major agricultural land allocations in Dhofar, particularly in food security projects. However, the new contracts represent a smaller but more diversified approach, with education emerging as the largest component by number.
The second Khareef Real Estate Season, held from July 25 to August 5, features more than 40 property developers, four commercial banks and several government entities showcasing projects aimed at supporting Dhofar’s future growth.