MUSCAT – Oman's projects market is set to receive a massive boost as the sultanate doubles its investment in turnkey projects over the next five years. As much as $65 billion worth of projects will be awarded between now and 2017, double the combined value of projects awarded in Oman in the last five years. Among the projects at the forefront of Oman's aggressive expansion program are BP's $15 billion Khazzan tight gas project, the development of a $10 billion refinery and petrochemical complex at Duqm and a nationwide railway construction project. Some of the largest projects expected for completion this year include the $560 million Sohar Steel Complex Expansion (Phase 3) and the $480 million Musandam Oil & Gas Processing Plant. Capturing a bigger share of Oman's projects market will be among the highlights of the forthcoming Oman Projects Forum 2013, which will address the latest project developments, opportunities as well as in-country value initiatives across the sultanate's energy and non-energy related infrastructure market. Dr. Ali Al Sunaidy, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Oman will deliver the keynote address highlighting the milestones of the country's economic progress and identifying the priority sectors for investment in the next few years. It will be followed by an important ministerial session, where key government agencies will present a snapshot of opportunities across Oman's high growth sectors. Nasser Al Jashmi, Undersecretary, Ministry of Oil and Gas, will shed light on the more than $17 billion worth of projects in Oman's oil and gas sector. Meanwhile, Sayed Bin Hamdoon Al Harthy, Undersecretary, Ports and Sea, Ministry of Transport & Communications, will discuss the sultanate's transport infrastructure program which currently forms the largest portion of Oman's civil projects. Salim Al Aufi, CEO, Public Authority for Civil Aviation, will have a separate presentation on airport developments in Oman and share the latest third party opportunities in the sector. Oman's tourism industry has shown impressive growth recently and has spurred quite a bit of investments in infrastructure and construction. Omran has been one of the most active stakeholders in this industry and its CEO, Wael Al-Lawati, will share the latest developments in this area. “MEED's Oman Projects Forum 2013 presents a detailed overview of the sultanate's economy, the priority sectors and budget for the coming years. More importantly, it provides an insight into the Omani planned budget and a sector-by-sector analysis by value, stages and timelines. As such it is an important meeting for those interested in gaining a foothold in or winning a bigger share of Oman's projects,” said Edmund O' Sullivan, Chairman, MEED Events, organizers of the Oman Projects Forum 2013 which will be held on Oct. 28-30 at the at the Grand Hyatt Muscat. Other important figures confirmed to speak at Oman Projects Forum 2013 include senior representatives from Ministry of Regional Municipalities & Water Resources, Oman Oil Company, Omran, Oman Gas Company, Electricity Holding Company, Takamul, Port of Salalah and Muscat Electricity Distribution Company. — SG
