Construction

The construction sector is witnessing rapid expansion in Oman on the back of government investment in major infrastructure projects. The government has budgeted an estimated $77.68bn for development projects as part of the 2011-15 five-year plan, up 113% over the previous five-year plan, with the Oman National Railway Project comprising 45% of the total value of all current transportation construction projects. Meanwhile, new upstream and downstream investments in the oil and gas sector are presenting lucrative new opportunities for private contractors, while the building of the $1bn Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC) in Muscat will boost the sultanate’s offering in the MICE segment. This chapter contains an interview with Sheikh Salim bin Ahmed Al Ghazali, Chairman, Golden Group of Companies.