Muscat: Al Wusta Governorate today held its media gathering in the Wilayat of Duqm under the theme ‘Development Seen… Future Built’, with the participation of representatives from media organisations and journalists. The gathering aimed to showcase the governorate’s key development achievements and highlight investment, tourism and service projects across the wilayats of Haima, Mahout, Duqm and Al Jazer.

It was held as part of the governorate’s efforts to strengthen engagement with the media and reinforce media partnerships in highlighting the development journey, while conveying an accurate picture of the development and investment projects and initiatives underway across the governorate. These efforts contribute to improving quality of life, promoting balanced development and creating broader investment opportunities across various sectors.

The gathering also featured a presentation on the governorate’s development projects, revealing that the total number of development and investment projects implemented and under implementation has exceeded 173, with a combined value of more than RO 37.5 million. The projects are distributed across the governorate’s four wilayats, reflecting the scale of development activity and the expanding portfolio of service, economic and tourism projects.

The gathering also featured a visual presentation shedding light on the governorate’s key development projects and investment opportunities, followed by a panel discussion attended by H.E. Sheikh Ahmed bin Muslim bin Suhail Jadad Al Kathiri, Governor of Al Wusta, along with several officials. The discussion focused on the governorate’s future direction, available investment opportunities, ongoing development initiatives and the role of various entities in supporting development efforts.

“Al Wusta Governorate has today become one of the Sultanate of Oman’s most promising governorates, thanks to its strategic advantages and comparative strengths, as well as the development and investment projects and initiatives that are contributing to building a more prosperous and sustainable future,” H.E. Al Kathiri said.

He added that the achievements realised to date reflect the integration of efforts across various entities and support the governorate’s vision for comprehensive development that enhances quality of life and creates an attractive investment environment.

H.E. Al Kathiri noted that the projects being implemented across the governorate are aligned with the goals of Oman Vision 2040 and the 11th Five-Year Development Plan, contributing to improved quality of life, balanced urban development and integrated infrastructure that meets the needs of the community while supporting future growth.

The gathering also reviewed infrastructure projects, including the design and construction of internal roads across the wilayats of Al Wusta Governorate, as well as the development of key urban and waterfront areas, aimed at enhancing the urban landscape, improving service efficiency and strengthening the tourism and investment appeal of the governorate.

In the transport and roads sector, several strategic projects were highlighted, including the maintenance of asphalt roads across Al Wusta Governorate at a cost of RO 6.4 million, the completion of the North Haima dual carriageway at a cost of RO 44 million, and Phase III of the South Haima dual carriageway at a cost of RO 70 million. These projects are expected to enhance road safety, strengthen logistics connectivity and facilitate the movement of people and goods between the governorate’s wilayats and economic zones.

The gathering also highlighted achievements in the healthcare sector, most notably the Mahout Hospital project, valued at approximately RO 17 million, which represents a significant addition to healthcare services in the wilayat and neighbouring areas. Other projects include the Advanced Emergency Unit at Duqm Hospital, valued at RO 2.3 million and funded by OQ, the Advanced Emergency Unit in Al Jazer Wilayat at a cost of RO 300,000, and the establishment of a training centre at an estimated cost of approximately RO 250,000. These projects enhance the readiness of healthcare services and bring medical care closer to citizens and residents.

In the tourism sector, the gathering highlighted Al Wusta Governorate’s unique natural and environmental assets through several flagship projects, including the Mahout Wetlands Reserve project at a cost of RO 4 million and the Arabian Oryx Reserve project in Duqm at a cost of RO 9.2 million. These initiatives support the governorate’s strategy to promote eco-tourism and strengthen its position on Oman’s tourism map.

The gathering also reviewed projects in the fisheries, livestock, agriculture and water sectors, which represent important contributors to food security and economic development. In the fisheries sector, the key projects included aquaculture projects in the wilayats of Duqm and Mahout with investments amounting to RO 503.5 million, a shrimp and sea cucumber farming project in Mahout valued at RO 1.6 million, and ice factories across the governorate’s wilayats at a total cost of RO 61.9 million.

In the livestock sector, the projects presented included a breeder poultry and fertilised egg production project in Haima valued at RO 61.5 million, a camel milk production project in Mahout worth RO 7.69 million, and the Nusrah Poultry Project in Mahout at a cost of RO 300,000. These initiatives contribute to supporting the food industry and strengthening self-sufficiency.

Meanwhile, projects in the agriculture and water sector included the Wadi Al Sail Water Station in Mahout at a cost of RO 500,000, water purification plants in Duqm and Haima valued at RO 250,000, and a fodder production project in Mukhaizna, Haima, costing RO 150,000. These projects contribute to the sustainable management of natural resources while supporting agricultural and livestock activities across the governorate.

The gathering also provided media representatives with the opportunity to raise questions and discuss issues related to development projects and future plans, while gaining further insight into the governorate’s investment opportunities and its economic and tourism potential.

The event concluded by reaffirming the important role of the media in keeping pace with Al Wusta Governorate’s development journey and highlighting its qualitative achievements, which reflect the governorate’s growing position as a destination for investment, tourism and sustainable development in the Sultanate of Oman.

The gathering underscored that Al Wusta Governorate is moving confidently towards a new phase of growth and development, building on its natural and economic strengths, ongoing development projects and ambitious vision to transform opportunities into reality, in line with the gathering’s theme: Development Seen… Future Built.