Deal time for local, foreign firms at Arab Industries Exhibition in Oman

Muscat: Omani and non-Omani entrepreneurs hope to find local customers and investments at the Arab Industries Exhibition that was opened today at the Oman International Exhibition Centre.
Businesses from a range of sectors displayed their products and services, hoping to find customers or sign deals with other firms.
Said Salim Al Hishami, one of the owners of Dates World, which makes many different sweets from Omani dates, said he hoped to get the government as a client.
“The support we got from the government is not sufficient. We asked for an industrial plot from the government six years ago, but now we are facing problems having only a small factory, which we have to rent. We hope that this exhibition will help us find government agencies that want to buy our products,” he said.
Al Hishami, who is from Nizwa, told the Times of Oman (TOO) that his company also wants to market his products, which he said are made from “the best dates” outside the Dakhiliya region.
“Sales are currently not enough to make a profit,” he said. Others are also targeting government agencies and companies.
Muna Al Shukery, owner of Al Joory, started her company at home with the help of family members. Al Shukery, who previously worked as a chemist, said all her beauty products are handmade using her knowledge of chemistry to make the perfect combination of ingredients.
“After I had worked in the medical sector for 23 years, I decided to make traditional Omani handmade products, using my knowledge to combine the right natural ingredients, such as herbs. That’s what makes it different from other products in the market. My hope from this exhibition is that I can sign agreements with other businesses and government organisations that want to buy my products as gift items,” she said.
Ahmad Al Hashimi, another Omani entrepreneur, who sells thyme products in nurseries in the Sharqiyah region, seeks to inform people about the way he makes several products with thyme.
“I am now experimenting with extracting oil and water from thyme,” he said. Al Hashimi hopes he can expand soon.
“Currently, I am only selling my products to locals in Sharqiyah. God willing, I will expand my business to other areas,” he stated.
Entrepreneurs from abroad were also present at the exhibition. Trying to find a market in Oman, Taleb Cherif, from Tunisia, told TOO that his olive oil has a unique taste. He said that it is already sold in Europe and the United States.
“Now, I am seeking to find a market in Oman and use it as a gateway to other Gulf countries,” he said, adding that he chose Oman because of the many developments taking place in the Sultanate.
“Oman is like Tunisia. It is in evolution. Seeing the huge progress that is being made here, I think I’ll do a good job here in Oman,” he said.