There has been a 14% decline in the number of plots granted by the Ministry of Housing in the Sultanate in 2016 compared to 2015, according to the latest statistics issued by the National Centre for Statistics & Information (NCSI). The total number of allotted lands fell to 36,811 in 2016, from 42,837 plots issued during 2015 in the various governorates of the Sultanate. Out of this, the highest number of plots was allocated for residential use with 32,330 and lowest of 19 plots given for tourist use.
The total number of plots registered for the first time in 2016 was 55,140 with Al Batinah South registering the highest number at 11,722 plots. In 2016, February topped with the highest rate of registrations at 11.5% and September with a lowest of 5.5%. Of the 63 thousand and 640 planned lands, 48 thousand and 846 land pieces were allotted for residential purpose, eight thousand 230 for governmental purpose, two thousand and 544 for industrial use, two thousand and 267 for commercial use and one thousand and 748 for residential and commercial purpose, according to the data. The highest number of planned lands for residential use was allocated in Ad Dakhliyah (9,642), As Sharqiyah South (9,169), Al Dahirah (8,692), Al Batinah North (8,169), Muscat (4,866), Al Batinah South (3,357) and As Sharqiyah North (2,149). While the highest number of governmental use was allotted for Ad Dakhilya at 1,864, followed by As Sharqiyah South at 1,345 land pieces, the lowest at 85 was for Musandam Governorate. At 984, the highest number of plots planned for industrial use was for As Sharqiyah North, followed by As Sharqiyah south at 698, the lowest in this category was for Al Dahirah Governorate at one plot, the data showed.
Citizens of GCC own properties in many sectors of usage in the Sultanate with the highest registrants in the residential sector. Among GCC citizens registering land in 2016, the highest percentage was Kuwaitis with 43% followed by UAE 38%, the NCSI data shows.
The NCSI study also throws light on the distribution of mortgage loans last year. According to the data provided, 26 families benefitted from availing 780 thousand OR. Among the other loan distributers PDO, Oman Housing Bank and Ministry of Defense, the highest amount 70,084, 900 RO from Oman Housing Bank was released to1,642 beneficiaries. The Ministry of Defense with the highest number of loan recipients 3,384, released a total amount of RO 45,658,629. Petroleum Development Oman released 621 loans totaling an amount of 44,110,248 OR.
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