5,000 new homes are being built for expats to buy in Oman

“The Ministry of Tourism is keen on creating a sustainable tourism industry in Oman through the continuous establishment of all types of tourism aspects and by raising the awareness between citizens and residents of the nation.
 

“The ministry is also enhancing the collaboration between the public and private entities in order to develop the tourism sector. However, there is a need to study the influence of the various entities on the tourism sector, and the ministry is working towards collecting data relevant to tourism attractions in Oman,” he said.

Diyar Ras Al Hadd Project will have 700 residential properties, while Omagine Project in Seeb will have more than 2,000 homes available.

The Omagine Project in Seeb will have hotels, a boutique mall, an open air amphitheatre, exhibition venues, a harbour and marina area, offices, restaurants and entertainment venues.

Naseem A’Sabah in Seeb will have more than 1,200 residential units, five star hotels, retail zones and a yacht club, as well as leisure zones and restaurants. The project on the northern shore of Mawaleh in Seeb will cover a total area of 400,000sq m and has been designed to accommodate more than 1,200 residential units and hotel rooms.

Al Nakheel Project in Barka will include hotels and hotel apartments, 1,436 residential apartments, villas and houses which will be available for ownership for all nationalities and citizens. It will also include a mall, a souq, restaurants, an aqua park and other facilities.

Welcoming these steps, real estate members say that this would open up the real estate market. “We hope more investments will come to market,” Country Manager of Eqarat, Salman Jalil, said.

The expatriates are, however, very happy. “I was planning to buy a home but currently the prices are high. It would be great if we can get something within a reasonable price. I will buy it today,” Mohammed Bhuiyan, who has been living in the Sultanate for 37 years, said.

T. Bhaskaran Nair, Convener of the Indian Social Club's Malayalam Wing, was eager to welcome the move. "This is a good move on behalf of the government of Oman, because it means more expats will look to invest in property here," he said. "There are many people who have been living here for a long time, and I am sure they would like to own their own houses.

"This is clearly part of the Sultanate's larger plans of economic development as issued by the Tanfeedh directives and I think it will be very beneficial in the long run," he added.