(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) Muscat- Muscat National Development and Investment Company (ASAAS) is in final talks with National Geographic to manage its Interactive Science and Technology Edutainment Centre, which is part of the multi-cluster 1.5mn sq m entertainment and leisure destination to come up in Barka.
The mixed-development project has been officially christened Hayy al Sharq and is progressing rapidly with major partnership agreements to be complete by April, said Ammar al Hinai, senior project manager, ASAAS. Hinai was speaking at the two-day Oman Tourism Investment Conference at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre on Wednesday.
The crown jewel in ASAAS projects, Hayy al Sharq will boast of an integrated theme park, waterpark, an equestrian centre and edutainment centre as well as hotels, a residential zone, and a range of retail, leisure and dining options.
The project's masterplan, being drawn by Singapore based Surbana Jurong, will be complete beginning April, as well the agreement with the theme park operator is in the final review, said Hinai. 'An important aspect of the project is creating the storyline showcasing the concept behind the whole project, for which the company will finalise a consultant in April.
Agreement on branding consultant will also be completed in April, as well as theme park consultant will be appointed in the same month. The National Geographic talks are ongoing and we are planning to get it completed by the beginning of next month.'
Hinai added that the project is divided in phases and the first stage includes the theme park with the zoological component. 'The land transfer process is currently ongoing with the Ministry of Housing. The timeline we are looking is four years from the transfer of land.'
The project will have 200 residential units, (townhouses and apartments) as well as three hotels. 'We want to cater to all market segments for which we will have a five, four and three-star hotels,' Hinai said. The five-star hotel will have 200 rooms, four and three-star hotels will include 250 rooms and service apartments.
'The water park will be connected to the four-star hotel,' he added. The project will also have a community mall as well and a furniture village for which the company is currently negotiating with tenants. Hinai said that it was important to look into the theme park market, which is estimated to be US$30bn globally. 'Many Omani residents are going to the neighbouring countries because of lack of options [in the sultanate],' he added.
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