Contract Signed for Management, Operation of Mirbat Castle in Dhofar

Dhofar: The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism (MHT) today signed an contract with Mirbat and Sadah Development and Investment Company for the management, operation of Mirbat Castle and the reconstruction and operation of the archaeological antiques market and customs office in the Wilayat of Mirbat in the Dhofar Governorate

The agreement was signed by Eng. Ibrahim Said Al Kharousi, Undersecretary of the Ministry for Heritage and Tourism, and Braik Musallam Al Amri, Chairman of the Board of the Directors of Mirbat-Sadah Development and Investment Company.

The signing of this agreement builds on the success ventures undertaken by the Ministry in initiate investment opportunities for small and medium enterprises and utilize cultural heritage in a way that ensures its sustainability and maximizes benefit. It constitutes a link in a series of actions to achieve the 10th Development Plan and its strategic programmes, as the Ministry plans to float historical landmarks for privately-owned companies and SMEs.

This is considered the sixteenth award of historical sites and monuments that the Ministry has assigned to the private sector, which is consistent with the broader global trend of involving local communities in the management of monuments. Cultural and historical.

The Ministry’s experience also contributed to maximizing local content by providing direct and indirect job opportunities, in addition to increasing the empowerment of the private sector and productive families and creating new marketing outlets for craftsmen. A number of the landmarks that were operated also played a positive role in enriching tourism destinations and options, cooperative initiatives, and innovative activities, which enhance the cultural and economic identity of the community, and create value-added projects for the local community.

These efforts continue with other projects that the Ministry is working on to revive sites. Cultural heritage in various governorates and making them tourist, cultural and economic destinations in accordance with Oman Vision 2040 and the strategic programs of the Tenth Development Plan.

The Ministry also seeks, through the plan to employ monuments and archaeological sites, to revive historical monuments, activate and strengthen community partnership with the aim of sustaining national heritage and heritage, enhance the contribution of the heritage sector to economic activity, and increase the sources of tourist attractions and their diversity.