Agreement
Inked to Fund the Establishment of Visitor Center at Qalhat Ancient City

Muscat,
7 Jul (ONA) — The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism and the Development
Foundation of Oman Liquefied Natural Gas Company Oman LNG today signed a
financing agreement worth RO 3 million for the establishment of a visitor
center at the ancient city of Qalhat. This initiative falls within the
ministry’s efforts to develop UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The
project, spanning an area of 5,000 square meters, will include two museum halls
to display archaeological artifacts discovered at the site. The center’s
facilities will feature administrative offices, a gift shop, a café, an outdoor
events plaza, internal pathways connecting the visitor center to the ancient
city, shaded seating areas, and vehicle parking.

The
agreement was signed on behalf of the ministry by Salem Mohammed Al Mahrouqi,
Minister of Heritage and Tourism, while Dr. Amer Nasser Al Mata’ani, CEO of
Oman LNG Development Foundation, signed on behalf of the company.

The
historical city of Qalhat is one of Oman’s oldest cities and ports, boasting a
strategic location overlooking the Sea of Oman. This made its ancient harbor a
hub for trading ships, a crossroads of diverse cultures, and a maritime trade link
with India, Yemen, and other regions of the world. It also served as a center
for exporting Arabian horses to India.

Khalifa
Mubarak Al Farsi, Director of the Qalhat Archaeological Site Department, stated
that the visitor center project represents a new cultural legacy and a
significant addition to Qalhat city, the Wilayat of Sur, and the South
A’Sharqiyah Governorate as a whole.

Meanwhile,
Eng. Ismail Sulaiman Al Sawafi, General Manager of Social Responsibility and
Public Relations at Oman LNG, explained that the project will enhance the
city’s appeal as a heritage and tourist destination at the national, regional,
and international levels. It will also generate direct employment opportunities
and promote the sale of local products.

It
is worth mentioning that the ancient city of Qalhat was inscribed on UNESCO’s
World Heritage List in 2018, underscoring the historical significance of this
landmark.

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Ends/AH