Awtad Projects and Development was recently established by Al Nahdha Group of Companies to handle projects and developments within and outside Oman. Al Nahdha Group, established in 1973, is one of the oldest business conglomerates in the Sultanate of Oman that started when the new leadership under His Majesty Sultan Qaboos was inaugurated in 1970. Al Nahdha Group started in the publishing and printing

field with Al Nahdha magazine, Al Nahdha Printing Press (3rd largest printing press in Oman) and Al Nahdha Publishing House. In 1983, Al Nahdha group diversified in other range of activities spanning trading, construction, agriculture and services. The group is consistently creating new benchmarks to maintain leadership in the consumer as well as industrial arenas.

Awtad Projects and Development was established to lead the group initiatives in minerals trading, property development, oil field services, world class construction and consultancy.

Minerals Mining

The company has access to 40, 000 tons of chrome per month (30% to 38% ) , and expanding, from mine

fields within Oman. Chromite is being shipped to eastern destinations such as India, China and Korea. Awtad is in the verge of establishing its own mines in the area of Al Dakhlia that would start-up around November 2008. The company will also establish a crusher site by December 2008. In addition, Awtad is also currently looking at international mining opportunities and currently applying for mining concession in East Africa. We are now negotiating with Tanzania Government for 16, 000 m2 concession area and Sudan Government for 12, 000 m2 concession area.

Property Development

Awtad Projects and Development is currently developing three large-scale property developments and two medium scale projects in Muscat and Barka. A commercial / residential gated community consisting of 160 villas and 100 apartments is being developed in the city of Barka. Spanning over 60, 000 m2, Awtad is in partnership with a South African premier group in the development of this property which will be launched by October 2008.

The second project is being developed for the Government of Sultanate of Oman service college students in the cities of Sohar and Rustaq. The properties will serve over 2000 student in three phases to provide proper student accommodation and start-of-the-art facilities for the first time in Oman. The third project is being developed for Knowledge Oasis district in a similar fashion to the above one but on a smaller scale. The project will service Sultan Qaboos University and two colleges nearby and will initially host only female students in the first phase. The accommodation will be able to host 700 student and staff in total.

Construction Awtad-ICC is a world class construction company that is being established with International Construction company in Sri Lanak, one of Colombo leading construction companies. The company is currently assessing several public and private projects and has started the ground work for Awtad property projects.

Oil Field Services

Through its subsidiary, International Oil Lines, Awtad is serving Omani major oil companies such as PD, Oman LNG, Qalhat LNG and and Occidental by providing products and services.

Commodities Trading

Awtad in the process of opening representative offices in India for various commodities trading in building materials, oil field service, etc. Awtad have successfully delivered cement and clinker to major customers in Oman under the commodities trading department.