Experts to deliberate on latest trends in construction industry

MUSCAT: The World Economic Forum (WEF) has ranked Oman 32nd out of 142 countries in its latest Global Competitiveness Report. It is an improvement of two places from last year and nine places from 2009.

The report highlights Sultanate's excellent macroeconomic environment, high quality infrastructure and liberal tax regime as the main reasons for the rapid growth of economic potential.

With expenditure on building construction expected to reach more than $27 billion by 2014, according to recently published research by Ventures, and initiatives from the government to increase the private sector's role in the country's economic development, Oman is on the right track to improve its competitiveness even further.

In light of the critical importance of the construction sector for the Sultanate's economy competitiveness, the Ministry of Housing has granted its support to the 2nd annual Oman Construction Summit taking place at the Grand Hyatt Muscat from January 29 to February 1. Developed in cooperation with the Ministry of Housing, the four-day summit is also officially supported by Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry and The Concrete Society (UK).

Infrastructure development
Abdul Adheem Abbas Al Bahrani, director-general of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry said: "The event aims at boosting relations and cooperation between public and private sector who are the main contributors to the economic infrastructure of the country. It also gathers the local and international business community to discuss the challenges in the construction industry."

Senior representatives from the Ministry of Housing, Ministry of Transport and Communications, Special Economic Zone Authority at Duqm, Royal Court Affairs, Omran, Petroleum Development Oman, Public Authority for Electricity and Water, Rural Areas Electricity Company and Ministry of Defence Engineering Services will provide updates on infrastructure development and share their experiences in planning and implementing construction projects.

Best practices and latest trends in the industry will be also discussed by international experts from STFA Construction Group, MAKYOL, the British Standards Institution, Volkmann & Rossbach, Amman Institute for Urban Development, Baker Wilkins & Smith, Czech Technical University, Target, Kayson Al Omania, ABB, Arminox Gulf, Doka Muscat, Emirates Green Building Council and World Green Building Council Mena Network. Peri and Pitchmastic.

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