Development contracts and investment deals worth more than RO495 million ($1.28 billion) were announced at the 21st edition of Oman Real Estate, Design and Build Exhibition and Conference last month (May) at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre, according to the Oman Observer.

The deals were tied to Oman’s future cities agenda as the sultanate steps up efforts to expand housing, infrastructure and private-sector participation in the property market.

The most prominent announcements centred on Sultan Haitham City, where the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning awarded multiple infrastructure contracts. Al Tasnim Group received Package A for site preparation and levelling of residential neighbourhoods and the Eastern Boulevard for RO6.8 million (about $18 million). Strabag Oman won Package 12, covering external roads, bridges, underpasses and utility works linking Muscat Expressway to the city, for more than RO40 million. GDS Company was awarded Package 9A for landscaping and horticulture along roads and pedestrian pathways for over RO3 million. Officials said the awards reflect an accelerated implementation pace for Sultan Haitham City, which is being developed as one of Oman’s flagship future urban centres.

The ministry also awarded a consultancy tender worth more than RO3 million to Al Khatib & Al Alami for supervision services of developers’ construction works at Al Thuraya City. In addition, it signed a memorandum of understanding with Turkey’s Artas Holding to develop the Al Khuwair Downtown project in Muscat, aiming to transform Al Khuwair into a modern economic and urban hub and drive commercial activity, mixed-use growth and wider urban regeneration.

Oman’s “Sorouh” initiative signed five agreements for integrated residential neighbourhoods across Muscat, Al Dakhiliyah, South Al Batinah and North and South Al Sharqiyah, mobilising over RO123 million to deliver 2,167 housing units and expand planned communities nationwide.