More Omani products to make inroads in Qatar: Envoy

DOHA:  Products by 30 top Omani businesses are on display at an exhibition which opened yesterday at the Mall of Qatar. It will remain open to the public until Sunday.

Organised by Ithraa, Oman’s inward investment and export development agency, in partnership with the Sultanate’s Public Authority for Small & Medium Sized Enterprises, Riyada and Oman’s Embassy in Qatar, the four-day show was designed to introduce Omani SMEs working in the crafts, fashion and food sector to the lucrative Qatari market. The exhibit also aims to boost the Sultanate’s exports of jewelry, food, cosmetics and fragrances.

Maymuna Al Adawi, Ithraa’s Director of Export Facilitation, said: “Oman’s growing craft, fashion and food industry is dominated by SMEs. And given the underlying skill and talent in our creative industries and their growing international reputation, we are confident the Mall of Qatar show will prove popular with our Qatari hosts. We ran the same show last year in Doha and that proved to be highly successful, with participating firms winning a sizeable amount of business.”

Held under the patronage of Qatar Chamber’s First Vice-Chairman Mohammed bin Ahmed bin Towar Al Kuwari, the response to participate in the four-day show from Oman’s creative industries sector has been highly favourable.

“Market research suggests that there are clear opportunities for Omani craft, fashion and food businesses to break into Qatar’s sophisticated and lucrative market” remarked Oman’s Ambassador to Qatar Najeeb bin Yahya Al Balushi.

He added: “GCC consumers understand the importance of provenance and are searching for authentic products, whether that is with food or in the personal care product space.”

Khaled Sam Hosn, CEO of Mall of Qatar, added: “We’re delighted to be hosting the Omani SME show, it’ll give our savvy Qatari shoppers the opportunity to discover the wonders of Omani craftsmanship, fashion and food. I’m sure the participating Omani businesses will make quite an impression.”

Founded in 1996, Ithraa is a government-run, ISO and Investor in People certified inward investment and export promotion agency. The organisation provides a range of support services and information to help domestic and international investors set up in, and export from, Oman.