British government backs UK firm to build three hospitals in Oman

The European country is one of the top investors in the Sultanate

A British firm has been awarded the mandate to build three hospitals in Oman. Saleh Al-Shaibany for The National

A British firm has won a contract for the construction of three hospitals in Oman, backed by over £500 million (Dh2.4 billion) worth of support from UK Export Finance (UKEF).

The Salalah, Suwaiq and Khasab hospitals will provide intensive care, emergency services and specialist baby care.

Britain-based International Hospitals Group (IHG), headquartered in Denham, Buckinghamshire, has worked with the University of Cambridge, the United Nations and the World Bank to provide global health care projects.

The British company will provide a full design, construction and services package for all three hospitals. Work will also include the construction of emergency power systems, maintenance facilities, roads and other associated infrastructure.

UKEF, Britain’s export credit agency, has provided support to help win these major contracts in Oman, and provided a loan, repayable on a commercial basis.

Britain’s international trade secretary, Liz Truss, said: “The size of this contract demonstrates the appetite for the UK’s world leading healthcare expertise across the globe.

“I am delighted UK Export Finance is supporting the construction of these three hospitals which will not only improve healthcare provision in Oman but will also expand IHG’s overseas business.”

Britain is one of the top investors in Oman. IHG will draw on expertise and equipment from the UK supply chain for all three projects, which ll support British jobs through the duration of the build.

At the end of the second quarter of 2018, it was the largest investor, with investments totalling OMR4.7bn, according to the latest report from Oman’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry. This was followed by the United Arab Emirates with OMR1bn, and Kuwait ranked third, with investments amounting to OMR425.9m.

Many Omanis choose to study overseas in Britain, and English is widely spoken and accepted as a business language.