Al Jarwani Group, a leading developer based in Oman, plans to start work on its RO25-million ($65 million) Sohar Palm Mall project over the next few weeks, said a report.

The project, which has a built-up area of 75,000 sq m, will also include a hotel.

Located around 500 m from the Sohar Port roundabout, the mall is designed to have amenities that will be the first of their kind in the Batina region including a family entertainment centre; 10-screen cinema operated by VoX cinemas; hypermarket; anchor stores, retail line outlets, Arabic restaurant and cafés besides a food court, reported the Oman Observer.

"The contract for Sohar Palm Mall has been signed and only certain government formalities need to be completed to start the project, which will be ready in the 18 months," the group chairman Mahmood bin Mohammed Al Jarwani was quoted as saying in the report.

The company also has several projects in the pipeline, including in areas such as Ras Al Hadd and Musandam for which contracts will be signed in the coming months, he added.