By NNN-Bernama
Muscat : Oman, which is currently embarking on large scale tourism projects as part of its efforts to increase non-oil revenues, can exploit Malaysian expertise in construction projects.
Malaysia’s International Trade and Industry Minister Rafidah Aziz said Saturday that Omani firms could look at sourcing the construction expertise from Malaysia which has proven successful involvement in completing number of key projects.
“I understand that Oman is embarking on large scale tourism projects such as The Wave, Blue City, Salam-Yiti Resort and resorts at Shaa and Ras Al Hadd areas,” Rafidah said.
“This is an area for potential collaboration as Malaysian companies are keen to participate in these development projects,” she told Omani officals and local businessmen at the “Malaysia-Oman Business Opportunities” seminar held here.
Rafidah said the capabilities of Malaysian companies have been proven in their successful involvement in projects West Asia such as the Green Acres recreational complex in Muscat and the development and construction of the six-star Palm Island hotel, luxury residences in Palm Jumeirah and office buildings in Dubai.
Apart from that, she said the Formula One (F1) Circuit in Bahrain, the airfield paving tunnel at the new Doha International Airport and the Sheikh Nasir Ahmad Al Thani Hospital in Qatar were also regarded as among the most successful projects by Malaysian firms.
The Shoaiba independent water power plant and the Al Faisal University Campus in Saudi Arabia were also part of the Malaysian success stories in the construction arena.
Oman is among the few countries in the world that are considered as an ideal place for long-term investments.
Apart from the oil-based industry, tourism has been identified by the Omani government as a potential industry that could bring more income to the country.
According to an Omani official, the government is now actively engaged in expanding and developing tourism, and is seeking private sector participation in a number of related projects.
Other potential areas are agriculture and fisheries for the processing industry.