Duqm harbour to increase depth

Oman’s Special Economic Zone Authority of Duqm (Sezad) recently revealed that it has decided to increase the depth of the fishing harbour to 10 m instead of 6 m in order to prepare the port to attract large fishing vessels operating on high seas, said a report.

This will in turn increase the economic value of the port, which will become the first of its kind in the sultanate to reach that depth, added the Oman News Agency (ONA) report.

The work on the fishing harbour is currently progressing and more than 500 workers are at the site. The harbour will be ready by the end of next year or the beginning of 2021, added the report.

Doha Mall to open next year

Qatar’s Doha Mall, managed and operated by Al Mana Malls, is expected to open in 2020 with more than 250 retail stores.

The mall will also become home to the newest Lulu Hypermarket concept as its first major anchor tenant. Doha Mall will have over 14 anchor stores, a new FLiK Cinemas concept, 12 cinema screens, world-class bowling centre, a high-tech family entertainment centre, trampoline and adventure park for children, a wide range of dining options with more than 60 food and beverage units as well as a well-lit ambience with natural skylight.

Lulu will introduce a new concept that creates a variety of dedicated in-store experiences for its clientele at the store.

Raysut acquires Sohar Cement

Raysut Cement Company, one of Oman’s largest cement manufacturers, said it has acquired its rival Sohar Cement Factory for $60 million as part of its ambitious plan to boost its capacity in the rapidly growing markets, mainly Africa.

This acquisition brings up Raysut Cement’s cement capacity to 6.4 million tonnnes per annum, said the Muscat Securities Market-listed company.

Raysut, which had purchased all of Sohar Cement’s shares effective May 19, will immediately begin integration of the company located at the Sohar Industrial Estate in Oman,

The Omani cement group had earlier outlined its plans to expand its reach through acquisitions in Africa. As a next expansion phase, Raysut will be looking at India, where it is likely to enter through acquisitions, it stated.

The Sohar acquisition also includes taking over the 20 per cent stake of Fujairah Cement in the company, stated the top official.

Oman dam projects make progress

Omani authorities said work is progressing well on two underground water recharge dam projects in the sultanate. These include a 1,860-m-long and 5.5-m-tall dam in the North Al Sharqiya governorate, which on completion, will boast a total capacity of  734,000 cu m, reported the Times of Oman. Work on the project is nearly 42 per cent complete. The Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources said it had completed all geotechnical works, the protection works and the foundations works.

Work is also under way at the Wadi Al Saleef underground water recharge dam, which will be 3.2 km long and 8.6 m tall, in the governorate of Al Dhahirah. Around 32 per cent of the construction has been completed on the dam, which has a capacity of about 1 million cu m.

Omran to open two new hotels

Master developer Oman Tourism Development Company (Omran) has announced plans to launch two new hotels in Oman, said a report in Times of Oman.

The projects – Atana Stay Al Ashkhara and Atana Stay Salalah – are scheduled to be completed by the third quarter of 2019.

Atana Stay Al Ashkhara and Atana Stay Salalah will generate an additional 46 and 54 hotel rooms, respectively, contributing a total of 100 rooms to Oman’s growing hospitality portfolio.

“Atana Hotels and Resort’s incredible journey started when we launched Atana Khasab and Atana Musandam in 2014, introducing an authentic Omani lifestyle inspired hotel concept. Since then, Atana hotels have evolved and welcomed more local, regional and international visitors,” said the report citing Peter Walichnowski, CEO of Omran.

Grand museum structurally ready

Work on the 167,000-sq-m Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) is progressing at a steady pace with the structural work fully completed and the surrounding roads almost ready, said a report in Egypt Today.

GEM boasts the main museum building, main square, the entrance for visitors, the Ramses hall, the conference building, the pyramids wall, the recreational park, the Nile Valley, the children’s park, Khufu, Pyramids Restaurant, and Masala.

Egyptian Prime Minister Dr Mostafa Madbouli inspected the latest developments at the site and later toured the proposed site for the transfer of Khufu boats and instructed officials to deploy engineering and restoration affairs experts for the project, the report added.