10th March 2014, Muscat:Duqm Development Company SAOC (DDC), the developer of Duqm Frontier town at Duqm and Starcare Health systems, Oman’s fast growing quality healthcare provider, have entered into an agreementto establish a multi-specialty, state of art hospital at Duqm. The development cost of the project is estimated to be around 7 Million Omani Rials. The project will provide a number of job opportunities for Omanis. While the detailed Hospital planning process is underway, in order to cater to the immediate needs of the people of Duqm, Starcare is also setting up a 24 hours multispecialty Medical Centre and pharmacy with the support of DDC. While the Hospital project will take 2 years to be completed, the Medical Centre is scheduled to open in 5 months’ time.

After signingon the agreement in a ceremony held in front of the Oman media, the Chairman Of DDC HE Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al-Maimani said”We are developing the first well planned community town in Duqm named “Duqm Frontier Town” with an advanced level of design, infrastructure, facilities and the latest technologies. It will be developed in Phases on an area of 270 hectares which will cater to managerial level employees and in total will accommodate around 3,000 residential units.Duqm Frontier Town forms an integral part of Oman’s government vision for the development of Duqm Special Economic Zone as a major port and industrial hub.He added “Bringing an international quality hospital to Duqm and DFT forms part of the DFT master plan.”

Dr Sadik Kodakat, Chairman of the Starcare group remarked that, “Being selected as the preferred Healthcare provider in the upcoming Duqm community is exciting for Starcare team. In Duqm, we plan to focuson the Occupational health and Preventive Health needs of the community, going beyond theconventional Hospital services and emergency care.Great associations such as this will accelerate our aim to enhance the accessibility and quality of healthcare in this country”.

Sheikh Ibrahim Sultan Alhosni – Deputy Chief Executive Officer of DDC said: ”Bringing such hospital as StarCare to Duqm is one of the major millstones for Duqm Frontier Town (DFT) and DDC’s commitment to provide the residents of DFT all of the required services to make the destination of high quality and friendly and ensure that it offers the perfect balance for business and lifestyle.”

Sharing the details of its new project at a press conference, Mr K Jayan, Director, Starcare Health Systems commented, “We draw strength from our local and international experience in the field and the Trust and support that we have received in Oman so far. The new hospital is being designed considering the clinical and demographic aspects of Duqmto ensure superior operational efficiency. This is part of our expansion plans in Oman outside Muscat in response to requests from the Government”.

Facility & Services

Duqm Development Company SAOC was formed in the year 2010 as a joint venture between Oman Tourism Development Co. SAOC “OMRAN” and Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Oman LLC “DSME Oman” (Korean Partner) in which each owns 50% of the shares.”

Starcare Health Systems is a Healthcare Investment, management and consultancy company, started in UK, with its current presence in Oman, UAE and India. It is well known in Oman as the operator of the JCI accredited Starcare Hospital in Seeb, Muscat and a leading Starcare First medical center in Al Khuwair, Muscat. The company focuses on healthcare projects with a social objective and has multiple projects in pipeline in Oman.

Construction of Phase I by DDC started in December, 2010 and completed in May, 2013. Phase I consists of a fully furnished 344 residential units (94 villas and 250 apartments). In addition, a Club House was developed as a recreational center that includes gym, squash court, multi sports hall (basketball, volleyball, badminton, football, and handball), tennis courts, and restaurant, retail area which will include grocery store and mini bank branch. Phase I is developed with complete infrastructure and facilities (Primary Sub Station, Sewage Treatment Plant linked to the Irrigation System, Roads, Centralized Gas Network, Fibre Optic Network, Water Network, and Sewage Network). A Jame’e (Mosque) and Operation & Maintenance Building will be constructed soon on DFT – Phase I land. The project is using energy saving systems and water recycling methods to reduce power, fuel and water consumptions as a part of the project sustainability plans.

Phase II is underway which is covering an area of 29 hectares. In order to attract staff to work and live in Duqm; all basic facilities needs to be provided for them. Most importantly staff has children and they need a good school in the city so they can be close to them. Phase II; in addition to the residential units it will have an International School to suite different cultures and nationalities, a Hospital with multi specializations and a Shopping Mall with a Hypermarket. The Mall will have different types of shops and entertainment facilities so that the residents don’t have to drive all the way to Muscat during the weekends for these entertainment activities.

The first phase of the Hospital will be a 35 bed inpatient facility which will be expanded into a 75 bed Hospital in the second phase. The facility will have Emergency rooms, multispecialty Consultation offices, advanced operation theatres, Delivery suites, ICU, Neonatal ICU, Pharmacy, modern diagnostic facilities with laboratory and Inpatient rooms that will suite the budgets of varying segments.The hospital will have a fully equipped Round the Clock Accident and Emergency unit and fully equipped Ambulance for transport assistance. Initially, the hospital would have the essential specialties like Internal Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Pediatrics, ENT, General Surgery, Orthopedics, Radiology, Anesthesiology, Dental and General Medicine. The hospital would also benefit from the wide network of Starcare Visiting Consultants from Muscat and abroad.Starcare will count on its experience and brand value to put together a competent team of medics and paramedics to offer quality care from the outset.

The current healthcare facilities are very limited in Duqm with no specialist care available in the region. Currently patients have to travel long distance to receive comprehensive medical care which is not always possible. Starcare survey team recommended to immediately set up a medical centre to address this ongoing need in response to requests from the local community. The medical centre and Pharmacy which will be located on the main highway will be a welcome relief for the local employers, employees, road travelers and the native population alike.

The international Airport is expected to open within a year. Duqm, at the south east of Al Wusta region,with a unique panorama of natural beauty surrounded by rich resources and pristine beaches, is at the crossroads of history–of transformingfrom a small fishing village to a massive logistic and industrial hub. DDC is the major developer of residential zone of the new Duqm town, adjacent to the tourism zone where one five star Hotel has been opened already.

Duqm Development Company SAOC (DDC), the pioneer real estate developer in Duqm has signed a training agreement with Long Life Learning Institute of Nizwa University, the agreement was signed by Sheikh Ibrahim bin Sultan Alhosni - the CEO of DDC and Dr. Salim bin Hamed Al-Mahrouqi the Manager of Long Life Learning Institute.

DDC will fund the program to train sixteen youths of Duqm people in particular and Al-Wusta Governorate in general those are graduated from the 12th standard of schools. The training program comprise of three courses i.e. basics of computer, English for beginners and the office skills. The training will be conducted at Nizwa University and both parties have kept in mind providing a hassle-free program to the trainees by providing the accommodation, transportation and food. That will have a positive impact in increasing the knowledge level by focusing on gaining the maximum benefits of the learning materials provided by the university.

Commenting on this initiative, Sheikh Ibrahim bin Sultan Alhosni said “this training program is one of the important initiatives of DDC’s CSR program that comprise of different initiatives for the local community in Duqm as we strongly believe on the importance of investing in education and the knowledge in the governorate’s youths to help them contribute to the development of the special economic zone through the skills they will gain during the training period and that will make it easy for them to get a job in the zone”.

“We are honored to have been selected by DDC to deliver this training program” Dr. Salim bin Hamed Al-Mahrouqi the Manager of Long Life Learning Institute. Dr. Salim added “This confidence in Nizwa University is a testament of our long history and our contributionin the development of education in Oman. Given the strategic significance of Duqm development to Oman, we have actively sought out such exciting opportunities there, and with DDC in particular, to support its CSR programutilizing our full, and best in class, range of services.”

Duqm Development Company SAOC (DDC), the pioneer real estate developer in Duqm has handed-over a cheque to support the activities of Oman Diabetes Association (ODA). The cheque has been handed-over by Sheikh Ibrahim bin Sultan Alhosni - the CEO of DDC to Mr. Saleh bin Said Alharbi – Board member of ODA.

Commenting on the provided support, Sheikh Ibrahim bin Sultan Alhosni said “We strongly believe on the importance of the social responsibility and the support provided to Oman Diabetes Association is part of the company’s CSR program”, he added “Oman Diabetes Association in particular employs remarkable efforts in increasing awareness among the society about the criticality of diabetes and the methods of diabetes prevention. It also promotes maintaining a healthy lifestyle among the society as that is the base of diabetes prevention”.

Mr. Saleh Alharbi – BOD member of ODA thanked DDC for the provided support and said “ODA works on raising the knowledge level of the people working in the field of diabetes with different specializations by organizing and conducting the workshops, seminars and summits with an objective to improve the level of the provided medications to the patients in order to reduce the burden on the patients and their families; in addition, ODA maintains the cooperation relationships with other associations and regional and international authorities of diabetes to share the knowledge and experiences”.

DDC had various CSR initiatives which included providing scholarships to the youths of Duqm in particular and Al-Wusta Governorate in general, in addition, DDC and Nizwa University are cordially providing a training program to the youths of Al-Wusta Governorate.

Duqm Development Company SAOC (DDC), the pioneer real estate developer in Duqm has handed-over a cheque to support the activities of Oman Cancer Association (OCA) as part of its CSR program. The cheque was handed-over by Sheikh Ibrahim bin Sultan Alhosni - the CEO of DDC to Dr. Waheed Ali Al-Kharusi, Secretary General of Oman Cancer Association.

Commenting on the provided support, Sheikh Ibrahim bin Sultan Alhosni said “Believing on the importance of social responsibilities DDC has a special CSR program that comprise of a various initiatives to support Duqm community in particular and the specialized associations registered with Ministry of Social Development; we emphasize on the importance of these initiatives to activate the cooperation between the private sector and the community”, Sheikh Ibrahim added “The associations are a very active member in setting-up the pillars of the social care in the community through the activities and events conducted by each association in its filed” he added “OCA in particular employs remarkable efforts towards the community awareness about different kinds of cancer and the importance of the periodical check-ups since the early diagnosis helps in treating the cancer at its early stage”.

OCA spread the awareness about cancer through the seminars and the awareness sessions. OCA provided the Breast Cancer Screening Mobile Unit in the Sultanate which is considered to be an effective early diagnosis element of breast cancer that serves all the women in Oman. OCA provides psychological, social and financial support to the cancerous and their families by providing the accommodation nearby the medication centers.

Dr. Waheed bin Ali Al-Kharusi – Chairman of Oman Cancer Association expressed his gratitude to DDC for the provided support.

Duqm Development Company SAOC (DDC), the pioneer real estate developer in Duqm has launched its CSR program believing on the importance of social responsibilities and consider it in its priorities.

In relation to this, DDC has handed-over a cheque to support the activities of Al-Noor Association for Blinds. The cheque has been handed-over by Sheikh Ibrahim bin Sultan Alhosni - the CEO of DDC to Mr. Rashid bin Suliman Al-Farsi – Chairman of the Association.

Commenting on the provided support, Sheikh Ibrahim bin Sultan Alhosni said “DDC has a special CSR program that comprise of a various initiatives to support Duqm community in particular and the specialized associations registered with Ministry of Social Development; we emphasize on the importance of these initiatives to activate the cooperation between the private sector and the community”, Sheikh Ibrahim added “The associations are a very active member in setting-up the pillars of the social care in the community and scaling-up the socioeconomic level of the individuals through the activities and events conducted by each association in its filed” he added “Al-Noor Association in particular employs remarkable efforts in integrating the people with the visual impairment in the community through its various activities and by providing the latest learning techniques or these would help in communicating with others, the association helps the blinds in finding a jobs in addition to the other objectives the association opts for”.

Mr. Rashid bin Suliman Al-Farsi – Chairman of Al-Noor Association for Blinds expressed his gratitude to DDC for the provided support.

Duqm Development Company SAOC (DDC), the pioneer real estate developer in Duqm, has appointed Sheikh Ibrahim bin Sultan bin Saif Alhosni as the company’s new Chief ExecutiveOfficer.

HE Ahmed bin Suleiman bin Saleh Al Maimani- DDC’s Chairman said “It is our goal that talented and dynamic Omanis nationals like Shk. Ibrahimtake front role and lead major organizations.Shk. Ibrahim is a USA graduate with a Bachelor Degree in Accounting and brings to DDC more than 16 years of diversified experience. He has been associated with DDC since its inception as the DCEO and Board is confident that he will accomplish the vision of the Company”

Prior to joining DDC, Shk. Ibrahim hold various roleswith Arthur Anderson, Ernst and Young, Ministry of Finance (MOF) and OMRAN. In MOF he was overlooking local and internationalorganizationsandrepresented MOF in the boards and committees of renowned organizations such as PDO, SGRF, Oman Air, Oman Dry Dock (ODC) and committees relating to big projects such as the Wave, Sohar Port, Salalah Port, etc. In OMRAN Shk. Ibrahim was in charge of all the investments in joint venture companies.

DDC’s shareholders are OMRAN and ODC. Presently, DDC is developing Duqm Frontier Townin Duqm which is planned to be constructed in Phases. Construction of Phase I was completed in May 2013 and it is fully leased out. Phase II is in the planning stage.

In recognition ofthe state of artdevelopment of Duqm Frontier Town Phase I, Duqm Development Company SAOC (DDC)has received the National Winner award as the “Louis Burger Building Project of the Year” in the MEED Quality Awards for Projects 2014 held on 12th May 2014 at Sofitel Dubai, The Palm Resort & Spa, in Dubai, UAE.

Duqm Frontier Town is a well planned community town with an advanced level of design, infrastructure, facilities and the latest technologies.

Sheikh Ibrahim Sultan Alhosni – Deputy Chief Executive Officer of DDC said that “the Award recognizesDDC’s efforts and contribution towards the development of Duqm. The project is an outcome of the concerted efforts of DDC’s professional and dedicated team, guidance of the Board of Directors and support of our shareholders and SEZAD.I would like to take this opportunity to thank MEED for the recognition and providing the opportunity to participate in the Award ceremony”.

This is the second award DDC won in the year 2014; the first award was “Residential Project of the Year Award” from Construction Week Oman Awards 2014.

DDC was formed in 24 April 2010 to be one of the leading developers in Oman and to develop Duqm in line with Oman’s Government vision to develop Al Wusta Governorate. The development of “Duqm Frontier Town” is planned to be in phases. Phase I wascompleted in May 2013 and comprisedof 344 fully furnished residential units and also include a Club House. Phase I is developed over an area of 23 hectares with complete infrastructure and facilities.Phase II is in planning stage and will be developed over an area of 29 hectares, in addition to more than 500 residential units; Phase II will have a Hospital, an International School to cater different nationalities and a Shopping Mall with a Hypermarket.DDC is also at various stages of discussions of different potential investment opportunities with local and international investors.

Honoring leading construction achievements and projects throughout Oman, Duqm Development Company (DDC) won the “Residential Project of the Year Award” at the third Construction Week Oman Awards 2014 held onTuesday 18th March 2014 at Muscat Grand Hayat Hotel.

The Award was granted to DDC for its project “Duqm Frontier Town” astate of the art residential community developed in Duqm, demonstrating well planned community town with an advanced level of design, infrastructure, facilities and the latest technologies.

Sheikh Ibrahim Sultan Alhosni – Deputy Chief Executive Officer of DDC said that “We are proud to receive this Award which showcases DDC’s commitmenttowards the development of an integral part of Oman’s government vision for the development of Duqm Special Economic Zone and recognizes the concerted efforts of DDC’s professional and dedicated staff and guidance of BOD along with other parties to complete this important project.”

Alhosni added - “This win puts more burden on our shoulders to continue to strive to be better, we are committed to provide the complete business and lifestyle facilities athigh quality residential and commercial Townwith all the required services. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Construction Week delegates and the Judging Panel for granting us this prestigious award and for the well-organized awarding ceremony”.

Duqm Development Company SAOC was formed in 24 April 2010 to be one of the leading developers in Oman. The development of “Duqm Frontier Town” is planned to be in phases. Phase I started in December 2010 and completed in May, 2013. Phase I consists of a fully furnished 344 residential units (94 villas and 250 apartments). In addition to a Club House as a recreational center that includes gym, squash court, multi sports hall (basketball, volleyball, badminton, football, and handball), tennis courts, and restaurant, retail area which will include grocery store, mini bank branch, barbershop and laundry. Phase I is developed over an area of 23 hectares with complete infrastructure and facilities (Primary Sub Station, Sewage Treatment Plant linked to the Irrigation System, Roads, Centralized Gas Network, Fiber Optic Network, Water Network, and Sewage Network). A Jame’e (Mosque) and Operation & Maintenance Building will be constructed soon on DFT – Phase I land.

Phase II is underway which is covering an area of 29 hectares, in addition to more than 500 residential units;Phase II will have an International School to suite different cultures and nationalities, a Shopping Mall with a Hypermarket and adequate medical facilities in order to help other organizations attract new employment and maintain existingemployment with their families.