The Oman Tourism Development Company (Omran) has invited companies to submit bids for a site preparation and enabling works package for its convention and exhibition centre project on the outskirts of Muscat.

Contractors have until 16 August to submit bids for the project, which will be built four kilometres from Muscat International airport.

The convention and exhibition centre development is planned to include a 6,000 capacity convention centre, a 30,000-square metre exhibition and sports centre. The plans also include a 125,000 sq m shopping mall, a 70,000 sq m low-rise business park, and four hotels, each with 250 rooms. One hotel will be rated as five-star, two will be four-star, and one will be three-star (MEED 9:12:9).

In April, UK-based RMJM won the main consultancy contract for the project, which involves design and engineering work.

Also in April, Canada’s Hanscomb & Company saw off competition from eight other consultants to win the quantity surveying contract for the development.

US-based WATG had earlier been appointed as master-planner for the project. WATG is also working on another major project in the Muscat area, the House of Musical Arts. The firm was appointed as the architectural consultant for the opera building, and is also involved with the design work on the landscape garden.