MUSCAT: Agreements, project awards and investment partnerships worth more than RO 495 million were announced on Sunday as the 21st Oman Real Estate, Design & Construction Exhibition and Conference 2026 opened in Muscat, underscoring the accelerating pace of urban development and growing investor confidence in the Sultanate of Oman’s real estate sector.
The four-day event, hosted at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre, is organised by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning in partnership with the Oman Real Estate Association and Connect. The exhibition and conference have drawn broad participation from local and international developers, contractors, consultants, investors and urban planning specialists.
The opening ceremony was held under the auspices of Sultan bin Salim al Habsi, Minister of Finance.
A key highlight of the opening day was the signing of a strategic partnership agreement between the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning and Saudi-based Retal Urban Development for the development of residential neighbourhoods 3, 15 and 17 in Sultan Haitham City.
The project, covering more than 640,000 square metres, carries investments exceeding RO 320 million and represents one of the largest real estate development agreements announced during the event. The agreement reflects increasing regional investor interest in Oman’s future city developments and integrated urban communities.
The conference also witnessed the award of several infrastructure contracts linked to Sultan Haitham City, highlighting the rapid implementation of the flagship urban project.
Al Tasnim Group secured the first package for site preparation and levelling works in the residential neighbourhoods and eastern boulevard, valued at RO 6.8 million.
Meanwhile, Strabag Oman was awarded the twelfth package, worth more than RO 40 million, for the construction of external roads, bridges, underpasses and utility infrastructure extending from Muscat Expressway to Sultan Haitham City.
Landscaping and pedestrian walkway works under package 9A, valued at more than RO 3 million, were awarded to GDC.
In Al Thuraya City, a consultancy services tender valued at more than RO 3 million was signed with Al Khatib & Alami to supervise developers’ construction works and strengthen technical governance standards across the project.
Another notable announcement was the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Turkish developer Artas Holding for the development of the Al Khuwair Central project, which is envisioned as a modern urban and economic hub in Muscat integrating commercial, residential and lifestyle components.
The event further saw the signing of five agreements under the “Sorouh” initiative for the development of integrated residential neighbourhoods in Muscat, Al Dakhiliyah, Al Batinah South, Al Sharqiyah North and Al Sharqiyah South governorates.
The agreements, with a combined investment value exceeding RO 123 million, will deliver 2,167 housing units across multiple wilayats as part of efforts to create sustainable and diversified urban communities.
Among the projects, Al Masa Real Estate will develop a RO 62 million residential neighbourhood in Al Amerat featuring 1,006 housing units across an area exceeding 300,000 square metres.
Ejaad Engineering Consulting will develop a RO 16 million integrated neighbourhood in Al Hamra comprising 322 housing units, while Al Siraj Holdings will undertake a RO 15 million residential project in Jaalan Bani Bu Hassan with 312 units.
Additional agreements include a RO 6 million development in Wadi Bani Khalid by Sanaa Al Barq for Cement Products and Trading and a RO 24 million residential neighbourhood in Al Musannah by Al Raed Real Estate and Investments.
On the investment front, the conference unveiled six new opportunities for integrated residential neighbourhoods and housing schemes across Al Batinah North, Al Buraimi, Al Dakhiliyah and Al Batinah South governorates. The projects cover a total area exceeding 1.4 million square metres and are aimed at encouraging broader private sector participation in urban expansion projects.
The opening ceremony also included the signing of a social housing cooperation agreement between the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning and Dar Al Atta Association to support housing projects for eligible families in different governorates.
The conference features more than 50 dialogue sessions and working papers involving over 95 local and international speakers discussing real estate investment, urban planning, smart cities, construction technologies, sustainability and digital transformation in the housing sector.
The accompanying exhibition showcases major housing developments, construction technologies, architectural designs and investment opportunities, while providing visitors with insights into the latest trends shaping Oman’s real estate and urban development sectors.
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