MUSCAT : OIA announced the opening of ten national projects – distributed in a number of governorates, and in varied sectors – through its subsidiaries, as well as in partnership with local and foreign companies. Investment value of these projects is more than OMR 750 million; it aims to contribute to national efforts in the fields of economic diversification, governorate development, empowering the private sector, and creating more than 860 job opportunities for citizens – directly and indirectly.

Hisham bin Ahmed al-Shaidi, Director General of Economic Diversification Investments, OIA, said the ten projects embody the Authority’s strategy and goals that are in line with the Oman Vision 2040. It will target economic sectors by implementing large projects in partnership with the private sector in various governorates, which have economic and social dimensions, and serve the Sultanate’s orientation towards localization of national expertise and competencies.

The inauguration of the ten projects will start at the Sanvira Carbon Project in the Free Zone in Sohar, which comes in partnership between the Oman National Investments Development Company (Tanmia), Sanvira Industries Limited and United Business Company. The project, with an investment of more than OMR 60 million, will contribute to diversifying Omani industries, strengthening its presence in the local market and replacing imported industries, and exporting nearly 70% of calcined petroleum coal to contribute to the foreign exchange reserves of the Sultanate, in addition to providing 150 job opportunities for citizens.

Oman Flour Mills Company will open two projects: the first is the Al Khaleej International Poultry Farm located in the Al Subaikhi area in the Wilayat of Ibri in the Al Dhahirah Governorate, which comes in partnership between the Oman Food Investment Holding Company, a subsidiary of the Authority, and the Al Khaleeji Japanese Food Fund, the Japanese Ice Foods Company and IFFCO. The farm, which is valued at more than OMR 26 million, is located in an area of 18 million square meters, and is one of the largest egg farms in the GCC – with the capacity to produce 360 million eggs annually. The second is the grain storage silos project in Sohar Industrial Port, which was implemented at a value of OMR 21 million; it supports the food security strategy in the Sultanate, with a storage capacity of 160,000 tons; it will provide 54 permanent jobs when fully operational.

The OQ Group will open two projects: the first is Salalah Ammonia, which will involve OMR 178 million investment; it will provide 50 direct jobs, and produce 1,000 tons of ammonia from which fertilizers, cleaning products, refrigerants and other chemicals will be exported through the Port of Salalah. The second project is Basat A, B & C in the concession area of Block 60, which cost OMR 157 million and provides 46 jobs for graduates. It is one of the large projects; it will contribute to raising production threefold – from 5,000 barrels per day to about 55,000 barrels per day.

As for the Oman Water and Wastewater Services Company, it will open two water supply projects from Sohar in the North Al Batinah Governorate to the Wilayat of Ibri in the Al Dhahirah Governorate, and the water supply to the Wilayat of Jabal Al Akhdar in the Dakhiliyah Governorate. The cost of the two projects amounts to more than OMR 177 million, and provides 80 direct jobs, and other indirect jobs related to home delivery work.

The shipping fueling station and bunker fuel depot project, to be implemented by Oman Oil Marketing Company, is the first bunker fuel depot in the Special Economic Zone at Duqm, as it is hoped that it will enhance the position of Duqm Port among the world’s ports. The project, with a cost of OMR 11 million, will attract ships to stop and supply services from the port, and will provide more than 45 direct and indirect jobs.

The Oman Electricity and Water Procurement Company, a subsidiary of Nama Group, is partnering with the Al-Aseelah Desalination Company in the Al Sharqiya water desalination plant project in the Asilah area in the Wilayat of Jalan Bani Bu Ali in the Governorate of South Al Sharqiyah. The project, whose value exceeds OMR 60 million, and provides 20 job opportunities, is the first project in the Sultanate of Oman. It includes a solar power plant for use in desalinating sea water, with a production capacity of 80,000 cubic meters per day.

The Jumeirah Hotel in Qantab, which is a Omran Group project, will provide 260 direct jobs, with a cost totaling OMR 60 million. It consists of 206 spacious rooms and suites with summer houses, and luxurious villas that give its visitors a hospitality experience that combines adventure and comfort, in addition to a health club, a fitness and recreation center, a multi-purpose hall and a diving center.

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