The development is 8 km from Suwadi beach, and many international companies are involved in Barka development projects. There is an estimated $15 billion in new construction currently taking place in Barka. "Blue city" is an $20 billion project which the aim is to build a new luxurious 35km² city, 1 hour away to the west of Muscat. It reflects very well the transformation in progress in Oman and the ambitions of the sultanate for the future.

 Located on a natural peninsula 30 minutes from Muscat Seeb Airport, The Blue City is a 32 square kilometer (12.36 square mile) waterfront city being built along 16 kilometers (9.95 miles) of shoreline adjacent to the Gulf of Oman.

One of the largest scale developments in the Middle East, the Blue City represents a total investment of between $15 – $20 billion. The first round of financing was secured through the issuing of a bond note by Bear Stearns on international markets raising $925 million US. The organization behind the project is Al Sawadi Investment & Tourism Company (ASIT) which has the endorsement of the government of Oman to bring this massive urban development to life. Blue City will serve as a growth engine for the Omani economy and will radically expand the tourism facilities in Oman. The city will generate large scale employment opportunities for Omani nationals, promote freehold property ownership for nationals and expatriates alike and serve as a hub for leisure activities in the sultanate. Blue City will also be creating thousands of jobs. The first phase alone is expected to create 7,000 direct jobs and 25,000 indirect jobs.

The Blue City chairman is also negotiating with two international hospitals for cancer and heart treatment. This will attract people from the Middle East or Africa to come and be treated here and that will create jobs for nurses, hotels and many other opportunities.. The Blue City is a tourist project that converted into a macro-economy.