Saturday 16 / November / 2024
Muscat: Oman Investment Authority (OIA) has announced the completion of five national projects with an investment value of OMR322.7 million that will be opened across four governorates.
These projects include Manah Solar Power Plant (Phases I and II), the Central Market for Vegetables and Fruits (Salal) Project, the Barka Desalination Plant (Phase V), the Fish Canning and Value Added Complex Project in Duqm, in addition to the implementation, operation and delivery of the sewage network in the Sahalnout area (Phase I).
Hisham bin Ahmed Al Shaidi, Head of Economic Diversification Investments at the Oman Investment Authority, said: “These five projects embody the Authority’s strategy and objectives that are in line with the Oman 2040 vision and the advancement of the targeted economic sectors through the implementation of major projects in various governorates in partnership between its affiliated companies and the private sector.”
He said that the Manah Solar Power Plant (Phases I and II), which is being implemented by Nama Power and Water Procurement Company in partnership with Ashraq Sembcorp Jinko, represents an important step towards achieving renewable energy goals in the Sultanate of Oman, with a total cost of OMR150 million.
He explained that the plant seeks to diversify energy sources and contribute significantly to achieving 10 percent of electricity production using renewable energy by 2025.
He further pointed out that the cost of the Central Market for Vegetables and Fruits (Salal) project amounted to OMR50 million, representing a qualitative leap for the agricultural sector in the Sultanate of Oman. It constitutes a unified umbrella that enables private sector companies operating in the field of wholesale vegetable and fruit trade to expand import and export activities, indicating that the project aims to provide advanced infrastructure and integrated logistical solutions to facilitate trade operations in vegetables and fruits, which contributes to enhancing food security and infrastructure and supporting local products and the national economy, and will provide 375 direct and indirect job opportunities.
He said that the Barka Desalination Plant (Phase 5), which is being implemented by Nama Water Services Company in partnership with GS NAMA Barka 5 Desalination Company, will be opened at a total cost of OMR50 million. The project will contribute to purchasing services and materials worth OMR 21 million of the project value for Omani local content during the construction period, which will enhance the contributions of small and medium enterprises. He pointed out that after the project is operational, it will enhance the storage capacity, the water transportation and distribution system, and provide job opportunities for citizens.
Al Shidi further explained that the Oman Fisheries Development Group and the International Marine Products Company have partnered to establish the fish canning and value-added complex in Duqm, which has a total cost of OMR27.7 million. It seeks to maximse added value of Omani fish by providing high-quality products and providing 640 direct job opportunities. It will contribute to achieving a return for shareholders and contributing to the local economy of the Sultanate of Oman at a rate of 14 percent of the investment value annually.
In the service sector, the Head of Economic Diversification Investments at the Oman Investment Authority explained that Nama Services Dhofar Company implemented the sewage network project in the Sahalnout area (first phase) at a total cost of OMR45 million, with the aim of providing a sewage infrastructure in the area, improving the quality of life for citizens and raising the level of services provided to modern plans.
It is noteworthy that the five projects are part of the “National Development Portfolio” of the Oman Investment Authority, which manages local assets and companies, and aims to contribute to the growth and development of the Omani economy, in addition to supporting the state’s general budget.
