Oman to expand Knowledge Oasis Muscat

Buoyed by the response to Knowledge Oasis Muscat, Oman has decided to go for an expansion by adding a third building. The Oasis was opened by Ahmed bin Abdulnabi Macki, Minister of National Economy, on Saturday.

"A new building will be built in 18 months," he said.

The 12,000 square metre office and incubator space is almost fully occupied. Tenants include Omantel, Siemens, NCR, Gulf Air, ITON Software, Tech Knowledge, InfoLine, Arabian Research Bureau, GAVS, Fortuna, Total Alignment, United System and Infocom.

Gulf Air's Worldwide Reservations is expected to become operational by next month and staff strength may rise from 74 to 300.

Oasis covers 68 hectares and is 32 kilometres north west of Muscat, near Sultan Qaboos University and Rusayl Industrial Estate. "I think the presence of the technological training centre and the research centres will boost foreign investment in Oman," Macki said.