Developer sought for Central Automotive Market
ONE-STOP: Khazaen plans integrated destination for automotive sales, services and related activities in South Al Batinah logistics hub
Oman Logistics Company SAOC (Khazaen), the master developer behind the Sultanate’s maiden integrated logistics city in South Al Batinah, has announced plans for the establishment of a one-of-a-kind Central Automotive Market at its emerging hub.
The wholly government-owned firm says it is collaborating with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in the development of a so-called ‘Auto Mall’ that will serve as a one-stop destination for all kinds of automotive related investments, services and activities.
Covering an area of around 245,000 sq metres, the proposed Central Automotive Market will offer dedicated areas for showrooms, open air display zones, car auction pavilions, outlets for automotive spares and accessories, workshops and service centres, and other automotive activities.
In line with the government’s broader support for projects based on the Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) model, Khazaen plans to partner with a private developer that will play a lead role in the implementation and operation of the Central Automotive Market.
A competitive tender floated by Khazaen yesterday seeks to appoint a well-established private firm that will design, finance, construct and operate the facility, along with the associated infrastructure, under a license arrangement with the master developer.
As an integrated one-stop hub for automotive sales and services, the Auto Mall will also offer car insurance, registration and related services all under one roof — an added advantage that will ensure strong investment inflows, as well as footfalls to this unique automotive destination, said Khazaen in a statement.
Separately, Khazaen is also seeking to appoint a strategic partner in the development of an initial 10 sq km plot to serve as a springboard for the hub’s long-term growth.
The area, which represents roughly a tenth of the sprawling 95 sq km Khazaen development, is proposed to host various commercial, industrial and tourism related assets. The selected partner will be required to master plan, finance, build and operate certain assets within the 10 square kilometre site.
Actual development of Khazaen — part of an ambitious initiative by the Omani government to support the creation of a logistics-centric economy — is expected to make good headway this year.
Significantly, Oman Logistics Company, which is part of the wholly government-owned Oman Global Logistics Group (OLG), is also expected to shortly announce its choice of candidate for the operation and management of Khazaen’s ‘dry port’ — a first in the Sultanate.
The inland port will serve as an intermodal terminal connected by road (and rail in the future) to Sohar Port.
Transshipment cargoes brought to the dry port will be dispersed to destinations across Oman and further afield into the Gulf.
As master developer of Khazaen, OLCo is overseeing the development of a logistics destination envisioning residential, leisure and retail components as well.
In addition to transshipment cargoes, Khazaen will also serve as a one-stop hub for warehousing and storage, logistics, consolidation of goods, maintenance or road and rail cargo carriers, and customs clearance services.
Future phases of the Khazaen project will be developed based on investor demand, although the hub is anticipated to evolve into a fully integrated city by the year 2040.