Islamabad: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) will convene a conference of hotel owners and investors next week to encourage expansion of Islamabad’s hotel capacity ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit scheduled for 2027.
CDA officials said the authority was conducting a survey to assess the availability of hotel rooms in the capital and prepare an inventory for SCO delegates. While Islamabad has more than 4,000 hotel rooms, around 1,000 are considered below the required international standards.
The CDA aims to ensure the availability of 4,000 top-class hotel rooms for the SCO summit and plans to encourage hotel owners to add new rooms, expedite ongoing hotel projects and initiate new developments.
CDA Chairman Sohail Ashraf said meeting the target would be challenging but assured that the required accommodation would be arranged for the summit.
The chairman said several new hotels currently under construction were expected to become operational next year. The authority is also exploring additional accommodation options, including the use of government facilities as backup arrangements for SCO delegates.
Islamabad is expected to host several major international events in 2027, including the SCO summit, South Asian Games and an International Olympic Committee (IOC) meeting, increasing demand for quality hotel accommodation.
Meanwhile, preparations are also underway for the New Islamabad Convention, Exhibition and Expo Centre (NICEEC) near Malpur, which is planned to host the main SCO event.
The CDA recently opened financial bids for the NICEEC project, with a joint venture led by China Construction Third Engineering Bureau emerging as the lowest bidder with a bid of PKR 37 billion. The authority will have the bid and revised design reviewed by a consultant for rate reasonability before proceeding.
The project’s design was revised from the original reinforced-concrete structure to incorporate steel components, including a steel domed roof, resulting in a significant increase in the estimated cost. Once construction begins, the CDA expects the facility to be completed within one year.
The NICEEC is planned as a multi-purpose venue for conventions, exhibitions, expos, trade fairs and cultural events, in addition to hosting the 2027 SCO summit.
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