OMAN

km of sandy beaches on the other, the Evason Hideaway is set to be a luxury retreat with a difference. It will incorporate 85 pool villas and villa suites, and a private marina. You can arrive at the Hideaway by boat, by car, or you can even accompany the resort’s professional paraglider and swoop in like a true adrenaline junkie!

Completion date: early 2007



Salalah Free Zone

Salalah

www.sfzco.com

The free zone will be constructed around the existing Salalah Port, and the first phase will cover an area of 73ha. It is estimated that the entire project will cover over 2,000ha upon completion. The free zone will offer attractive operational incentives for companies in the consumer product, transport, real estate and logistics sectors.

Completion date: 2006





The Pipeline

Apart from the major projects highlighted here, there are also several others that are at planning stage. There will be a new convention centre in Seeb, being built at an estimated cost of RO 100 million, and incorporating three hotels, 150 serviced hotel apartments and a shopping mall. Plans for three new airports (Ras Al Hadd, Nizwa and Sohar) were announced in January 2006. There are plans to open an Oman Botanic Reserve, in Al Khoud, to establish and document native plants. Nine abandoned mountain hamlets are being transformed into B&B-style lodgings. Several new trekking routes have been charted in the mountains north of Oman, and there are three new caving projects on the cards (besides the one at Al Hota, due for completion this year). Watch this space!