The Oman Tourism Development Company (Omran) is not expected to award the contract to build package two on its Oman convention centre project in Muscat before the end of 2012 after it asked bidders to extend the validity of their tender bonds.

Contractors had been told that the contract would be awarded this year.

The package includes exhibition halls, car park and energy centre.

Omran has already received bids from consultants for the contract to supervise construction work on the second construction package. The local Al-Awazi International is currently completing the site preparation and enabling works package for the convention centre development.

The convention centre will contain a 3,200-seat theatre set over three levels, with advanced projection and acoustic systems to stage concerts and performances. The exhibition centre will contain more than 22,000 square metres of space for exhibitors and the facility will also contain 14 meeting rooms with capacities ranging from 70-360 delegates. The development will contain four hotels in total.

In April 2010, UK-based RMJM was awarded the main consultancy contract, which involves design and engineering work for the project. Canada’s Hanscomb & Company is the quantity surveyor. US-based WATG is masterplanning the development.