A US $383mn contract has been awarded for the development of the Oman Cultural Complex. The project is expected to be spread over an area of 400,000sqm in Muscat. The project, which is being set up in the Madinat Al Irfan district, will be completed within a three-year period.

According to a report, Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth, signed the agreement with a consortium of two companies for the project.

The Oman Cultural Complex is said to be a modern landmark and an edifice featuring the country’s civilisation, culture, scholarly accomplishments, and institutional entity.

The new cultural district brings together three major buildings around a wide, central square – the Oman National Theatre, which boasts a 1,000-seat auditorium and a 250-seat flexible auditorium; the 20,000sqm five-storey National Library and the National Archives partially open to the public, including nearly 20km of archival shelf-displays.

The complex also features an exhibition centre, a cultural centre and a cinema, the report concluded.