Muscat: An agreement was signed by Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre (OCEC) with leading exhibition organisers, Al Nimr International, to host major building and construction expo ‘Infra Oman’, affirming its commitment to hosting world leading events in the Sultanate.
As the annual meeting place for the regional construction industry, ‘Infra Oman’ targets companies and government departments involved in energy, water, waste management, recycling and sustainable solutions, manufacturing, heavy industries, mining and petrochemicals and the show attracts in excess of 200 exhibitors, said a press release.
“The construction industry is Oman’s largest sector after oil, and plays a key role in boosting economic development. In recent years the government has made significant investment in infrastructure — airports, roads, ports, industrial estates, free zones and technology parks. This powerful combination of factors makes ‘Infra Oman’ an incredibly important event for the country,” said Trevor McCartney, general manager of OCEC.
“We look forward to playing our part in maximising the regional and international impact of this major expo, in order to realise its full potential and deliver its biggest and most sophisticated edition to date. Our 22,396 column-free square metres of flexible exhibition space will provide the scope to showcase the many and complex aspects of the construction industry. It is particularly gratifying to see that thanks to the OCEC’s space and state-of-the-art facilities, Al Nimr has been able to add four exciting new pavilions to its plans for this year — green tech, fire and security, heating, air and cooling technologies, and power and electricity,” he added.
According to Salim Al Hashmi, chairman of Al Nimr, “Hosting ‘Infra Oman’ at the OCEC is an outstanding opportunity not only for the expansion of the event itself, but also for drawing the international spotlight to the enormous possibilities generated by Oman’s incredible infrastructure development. We are confident that this edition of ‘Infra Oman’ will be even more successful than its predecessors. What’s more, while powering the events industry in Oman, the OCEC is also attracting the interest of global companies and investors.”
As the OCEC counts down to the August opening of its exhibition centre, the readiness of various aspects of its five hi-tech exhibition halls and ten exclusive hospitality suites is being scrutinised with a focus on guaranteeing an optimum visitor experience.
With the launch of phase 1 of the OCEC, Oman will take its place in the international arena as one of its most exciting exhibition destinations and the newest business tourism hot spot. Phase 2; the convention centre will be ready for business in the last quarter of 2017.