AEG Ogden has been appointed to operate the new Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre in the capital Muscat.

The Centre is being developed by Omran, the company established by the government of Oman to deliver major projects and manage its assets in the tourism sector.

It will feature an elaborate tiered auditorium to seat 3,200 while the exhibition halls will feature 22,000 square metres of column-free exhibition space.

Halls 1 and 2 will have a superior fit out, specialised acoustic treatment, advanced lighting and rigging requirements to act as a multi-purpose space for plenary sessions, concerts, performances, gala events on a larger scale of up to 10,000 seated, theatre-style.

Site preparation works for the centre are already underway.

The OCEC will have a two-stage opening schedule with the Exhibition Halls coming online in 2014, supplemented by the auditorium, banquet halls and meetings rooms in late 2015.

The chief executive of Omran, Wael bin Ahmed Al Lawati said a number of important considerations had been factored into the project.

“As a responsible citizen, Omran sought to achieve the Sultanate’s economic diversification vision, to protect the environment and to deliver long-term benefits to local communities and the national economy.

“AEG Ogden comes with an undisputed reputation for delivering international standard venue management services in the Asia Pacific region.

“With their vast expertise and philosophy of providing patrons with an unforgettable experience, we can be certain that our unified vision will transform the Sultanate to an information hub for specialised industries,” he said.

“The project in its construction phase will create approximately 6,000 employment opportunities for young and motivated Omanis,” he concluded.