MUSCAT, Jan 21 - In a move to expand private sector role in the economy, the Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources is offering vast areas of land in 10 locations for investment and development. According to an announcement made at the Investment Opportunities Forum 2019 on Monday, the land is located in nine wilayats, which include Nakhl, Seeb, Rustaq, Ibri, Sur, Izki, Shinas, Jaalan Bani Bu Ali and Buraimi. The allocation of land will be based on bidding, which will begin at the end of this month.
deals signed
While some of the areas can be developed as healthcare tourism centres, housing complexes, hotels, restaurants and malls, others can be used for setting up warehouses, logistics workshops for light industries and others.
Agreements have already been signed for the establishment of fuel filling stations and supply of other essential services at the locations.
The forum was held under the auspices of His Highness Sayyid Taymour bin Asaad al Said, Assistant Secretary-General for Communications at The Research Council. Speaking on the occasion, Abdullah bin Hilal al Hadabi, Adviser to the Minister of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources for Technical Affairs, said the decision is based on vision of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos on the concept of community participation in cooperation with private sector institutions.
“The ministry pays special attention for the adoption of more flexible methods to facilitate procedures for investments from the private sector,” he said.
Al Hadabi said the projects to be set up at these locations will open up opportunities for the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) along with developing and upgrading several municipal services. Mohammed al Ameri, Director of planning and studies at the ministry, said the choice of these sites was based on several indicators, including economic, social and geographical proximity to the main services and roads.
“Land allocation in these locations is done in accordance with the stipulation of the Ministry of Housing although the land is owned by the Ministry of Regional Municipalities,” he said.
ownership rights
The land allocation will be for a period of 30 years in addition to a grace period, which is ten per cent of the total period, including the years of renewal. To a question by a journalist, he said, “The allocation is only for investment and development purposes; ownership rights will not be given.”
According to a presentation made by Hatem bin Salem al Dohani, Director of the Investment Development Department at the ministry, the Al Khoudh plot comprises 15,884
square metres.
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