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Oman’s Asyad Group has issued a tender inviting firms to bid for a contract to develop an office complex in the Muscat airport free zone. 

The project will be developed as a public-private partnership (PPP), with the selected firm developing it on a design, build, finance, operate and transfer basis.

The office complex will encompass an area of 4,925 square metres.

The contract duration is 25 years.

“This call for partnership aligns with Asyad Group’s commitment to enable and partner with the private sector on vital logistics projects in line with Oman Vision 2040,” an official statement released by Asyad Group said.

Faisal Ali Al-Balushi, director of Muscat International airport free zone at Asyad Group, said: “The launch of this tender represents a strategic step towards establishing the Muscat airport free zone as a vibrant global business hub that can attract local and global investors.

“We believe this project offers an opportunity to enhance the contribution of local enterprises in Oman’s logistics sector by creating advanced business infrastructure and maximising the private sector’s overall contribution to the national economy in line with Oman Vision 2040.”

The development is another addition to the list of projects to be tendered on a PPP basis in Oman this year. In June, Oman Airports Management Company issued an expression of interest (EoI) notice to redevelop the old terminal building at Muscat International airport.

The contract covers the terminal building’s redevelopment, operation and management on a build, operate and transfer basis.

In May, Oman’s Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Commerce, Industry & Investment Promotion announced the qualified bidders for the Oman Business Gateway project.

The project is also being developed as a PPP on a design, finance, build and operate basis.

Oman PPP plans

Oman launched its PPP programme in 2021 after promulgating its PPP law in 2019.

Following the dissolution of the Public Authority for Privatisation & Partnership, announced in August 2020 as part of a broader government restructuring, MOF took over the country’s PPP pipeline. At the time, it was understood to include 49 projects in the education, healthcare, logistics and utilities sectors.

Several PPP projects in Oman are moving ahead.

These include a project to develop 42 schools that was tendered in September 2022. 

In December 2021, MOF invited investors to participate in developing the Liwa Fishery Harbour in North Al-Batinah as a PPP project.

Oman also plans to develop PPP projects in the healthcare sector, with upcoming schemes including hemodialysis facilities around the country. A drug rehabilitation centre has also been planned for Sohar.

In August last year, Oman shortlisted five out of eight prequalified teams to compete for another PPP project, the Salalah-Thumrait truck road project.

The winning bidder will design, build, finance, operate and maintain the 67-kilometre road project, which is designed for heavy vehicles. The project is the first of its kind to be developed under a PPP model in Oman.