Friday 26 / April / 2024
Muscat: Work on the Barka Marina project is ahead of schedule, with phase one set to open in April 2020, 10 months earlier than planned.
His Excellency Ali Al Sunaidi, Minister of Commerce and Industry, paid his first visit to the project site in the Wilayat of Barka on Tuesday, along with His Excellency Dr Hamad Al Aufi, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries.
Talking exclusively to Times of Oman, Sheikh Salim Al Siyabi, Chairman of Barka Marina, said that the early completion of phase one had been achieved even though much more had been added to the initial phase.
“We are ahead of the agreed schedule of phase one by 10 months, even though it has been extended from the initial plan, which was the fish market. Today, along with the fish market, we have vegetable, poultry & meat markets, bakery, bbq shops and so many others.
**media[1048944]**
Fish market building
“The fish market building has been extended to include other facilities that were not anticipated before. This is based on supply and demand, as well as the market requirements. We have added some other buildings and activities that were supposed to be a part of phase two. So, all those buildings have also become a part of phase one.”
Al Siyabi added that the project also boasts a number of recreational and service facilities.
“It includes all kinds of entertainment from bowling, a cinema, hypermarket, children’s entertainment, an aquapark and much more.
“It also has 450 different shops, including one of the famous gold markets. Hopefully, the gold market in Barka Marina will be one of a kind in the Sultanate.
“We have a 1.5km-long corniche fitted out with sports equipment, which may be used free of charge. We believe this is going to be an iconic place where people will want to be,” he said.
Expressing his feelings about one of the most anticipated projects in the Sultanate, which aims to become the next destination hub in the country, Al Siyabi said that he is extremely happy as he is doing it for people to enjoy the facilities and services it will offer in future.
“I am very happy with this project, because I will be doing something for the future, whether I am alive to see it or not, someone else will see it and enjoy it. I am making something for the public to enjoy. It will be a place for fun,” Al Siyabi said.
The project is located on a total area of 1,336,213 square metres and will include a four-star hotel providing 400 rooms as well as a serviced apartment block with 144 rooms. There will also be a private beach.
Gank Yonar, Business Development Manager and Architect for Barka Marina Project, said that once it is completed, they expect a footfall of about three million people annually.
“The project will have the biggest gold market and water sports centre in the Sultanate,” Yonar said.
The second and third stages are due to be completed by 2021 and 2022.
