The following was a feature article published by the Oman Daily Observer:
About The Oman Daily Observer:
THE Oman Daily Observer is the largest circulated English-language daily in the Sultanate. Launched in November 1981, the Observer is the flagship newspaper (alongside its Arabic sister daily Oman) of Oman Establishment for Press, Publication & Advertising (OEPPA), the biggest media house in the country.
The paper is widely regarded as a quality daily that provides readers with up-to-date information on local, national, regional and international news covering current affairs, business and sports, as well as offers a diverse choice of features and articles on the arts, leisure, lifestyle, entertainment, and technology, among other areas. Its readers include Omanis and expatriates alike, and is particularly admired by the business community. The paper’s online edition is also popular with online readers, travelling businesspersons, and non-resident readers who take a keen interest in Oman’s affairs.
Indeed, the Observer strives to mirror Oman’s modernisation and progress across all aspects of national life. The country’s natural, historical, cultural and tourism wealth is strongly highlighted, as are initiatives in information communications technology (ICT), infrastructure development, economic diversification, privatization, higher education, and women and child affairs, among other areas.
Complementing the paper’s experienced reporting and production staff are correspondents and contributors in a number of major cities around the world who provide high quality coverage of events in their respective regions. The paper also subscribes to leading international news agencies and syndication services, which are a significant source of superior news articles, features and columns.
ONLINE EDITION:
With a view to providing easy access to online readers, the Internet edition of the Observer was launched on 18th November 1997, coinciding with the 27th National Day celebrations. The site is regularly updated. It also has complete and comprehensive archival material for present and future reference.
These publications and services, while strengthening OEPPA’s leadership position in the media industry in Oman, further add to the organisation’s stable of long-established periodicals, such as Nizwa, which is published in Arabic.
Located at Madinat al Ilam (Information City) in Qurum, OEPPA continues to grow from strength to strength as it seeks newer opportunities and avenues to reach out to its ever-widening customer base.
$1.5b Omagine beachfront project receives nod
By A Staff Reporter
MUSCAT — Omagine, Inc announced yesterday that it received an official letter from the Government of Oman formally approving the terms by which the Omagine Project will be developed. The Company is required to formally notify the Government in writing by May 30, 2008 of its approval of the Approval Letter and furnish the Government with various confirmations relating to shareholders of the project company and elements of the project.
The Company's president, Frank J Drohan said: "We are gratified by this final approval and pleased with the results. Our carefully chosen strategic investor partners including CCC, Bank Muscat and local Omani business persons are committed to delivering this signature project for the people of the Sultanate of Oman. Our attorneys are now concluding the Development Agreement with the Ministry of Tourism and we and the Government look forward to signing it within the next several weeks."
The Omagine Project is an elegant and sophisticated blending of entertainment, hospitality, retail and residential elements, with heritage, educational and cultural components. Located on over 240 acres of prime beach front property overlooking the Gulf of Oman just minutes from Muscat International Airport, Omagine's jewel like architecture will mark the place and set new standards. The project includes retail, hotel and commercial office elements and several hundred thousand square metres of distinctive residences in an incomparable location.
"When completed in four or five years, Omagine will be the destination in Oman for tourists, business travellers and the local population and will play a major role in the Sultanate's burgeoning tourism sector," commented Drohan. The company is the majority shareholder of the project company which will own and develop the Omagine Project. Omagine, Inc is primarily involved in the real-estate development, entertainment and hospitality industries in the Middle East and North Africa. Through its wholly owned subsidiary Journey of Light, Inc, the company will design, develop, build, own and operate its planned $1.5 billion plus tourism project in Oman.
