@JmObserver –

Acting in cooperation with the National Records and Archives Authority, the Secretariat-General of the Tender Board announced an international tender for the design and construction of Oman Cultural Complex.

The complex, a concept developed by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, aims to establish a national centre of culture as part of the government’s wider strategy to promote cultural and artistic innovation.

The project is located at a site within the upscale Airport Heights in Muscat. It spans 4 hectares with a built-up area of about 73,000 sqm which will house three buildings that are all said to be of national interest including the National Library that will contain more than five million books, the National Archives that will act as a four-storey exhibition and public events place, and a research and administration building.

It will also have a National Theatre capable of housing up to 1,000 people. The complex will also include a cinema, gallery, a workshop, headquarters for a new literary society, a lecture hall, children’s library and retail areas.