The Oman Tourism Development Company has issued a new tender for the third construction package on its convention and exhibition centre development near Muscat International airport.

The scope of work entails building the main auditorium, which will have a seating capacity of 3,100, a secondary auditorium with 450 seats, two ballrooms, a food court, 20 meeting rooms, roads and car parks. 

Work on the convention and exhibition centre, which has an overall estimated construction value of about $1.57bn, has been divided into different packages.

Upon completion in 2016, the convention and exhibition centre will also feature hotels, business parks, retail space, and a residential building.

Last June, Omran awarded a $202m contract to the local/UK Carillion Alawi for the second construction package on the project. Carillion Alawi will be responsible for the construction of 13 buildings, including exhibition halls with a gross floor area of 45,000 square metres, an energy centre, ancillary buildings for security, taxi services, maintenance, waste management facilities and electrical substations, and car parks for 4,200 vehicles.

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.

Tenders for some of the hotel projects are expected to be issued soon.