MUSCAT: MAF Shopping Malls, the region’s leading shopping mall developer, recently announced that the construction at its Qurum City Centre site located in the heart of Qurum’s commercial district in Muscat is on target to be complete by October 2008.

The fit out of the Carrefour hypermarket, the single largest store occupying 12,552 square meters, has now commenced. Ibrahim Al Qasimi, spokesperson for Qurum City Centre, said: “The start up of the fit out process at Carrefour, the main anchor store of the centre, marks an essential and effective step towards developing this project on time. Qurum City Centre will be the first mall of its kind in the Qurum commercial area, and will include strong representation in key categories from upmarket retailers in various segments, such as fashion, food and beverage, and other convenience and service sectors.”

“Building the infrastructure is one of the most challenging phases in any development. We are working on providing the highest quality of infrastructure to meet the demands of this project by implementing the highest standards possible,” Al Qasimi added.

Another major store making its debut in the country at Qurum City Centre is the famed international retailer H&M spread across 771 square metres, along with 74 retail outlets spread over a gross leasable area of 20,600 square metres, 1200 parking spaces, a designated food court and convenient access to and from the mall. Qurum City Centre promises to be the new hub of central Muscat.