The Middle East

As Oman’s economy starts to feel the effect of resurgent oil prices, its gradually recovering property market is creating brand new opportunities for both tenants and property buyers. Although departing expatriates, Omani unemployment rates and limited salary increases have limited the property market’s potential since 2014’s decline in oil...

Developers of some of Oman’s most prestigious residential and mixed-use projects are integrating smart technology as a means to create operational efficiencies and increase investment appeal, establishing the sultanate’s first smart cities and smart homes. While smart homes are currently limited to the higher end of the residential market,...

In 2008, for the first time in history, more than half of humanity was living in urban areas. Perhaps the most remarkable observation about this trend is the speed at which it has happened: as recently as 1900 urban areas accounted for 13% of the global population. Cities are seen as opportunity hubs for many rural dwellers.

One facet of Oman’s continuing diversification drive is the construction of large, mixed-use developments that combine residential, commercial and office buildings. These spaces are set to support two of the five sectors targeted in the National Programme for Enhancing Economic Diversification, also known as Tanfeedh: tourism and manufacturing...

As the second-largest driver of non-hydrocarbons growth and the sector that employs the greatest number of people, construction plays a key role in Oman’s economy. While 2017 was a difficult year for the industry, forecasts suggest a return to growth in 2018 and 2019 on the back of higher oil prices and a government-supported diversification...