Origin Oman to conduct industry tour

"The Origin Oman portal is up and running," said Infocomm's Rehan Moosa the webmaster of www.originoman.om. "and on Sunday and Monday 20th and 21st April we will start a tour of the various industrial estates across Oman to introduce manufacturers and businesses to the site and all it can offer them. Our first stop will be Rusayl."

The campaign's principal objective is to engender national pride and encourage consumers and companies to choose locally made products and services bearing the soon to be launched Origin Oman logo. "We're keen to get as many manufacturers and local business as possible involved in Origin Oman and becoming members. It's a great opportunity for all of us to help promote the sultanate's products and services and by doing so help create employment opportunities and stimulate the national economy. An added benefit is that by buying local we can all help reduce carbon emissions as what we buy has travelled a shorter distance," commented Ibtisam Al Faruji who is spearheading the campaign.

She went on to say: "We're delighted that several companies have already taken advantage of Origin Oman and our new members include: Al Waqia Shoes, Ali and Abdul Karim Trading, Green Cover, Mehdi Foods, Middle East Appliances and Mudhaher Establishment. We're really excited about partnering with them."

"We think the portal will play an important role in the campaign by introducing businesses and manufacturers to the power of technology and the internet. It's so important that we get more of our local businesses and manufacturers on-line and using the web as a resource. More often than not when you give out a business card, the person you give it to will 'google' your company when they get back to the office. Web presence is a big part of business credibility these days," Al Faruji went on to say.

"That's right," agreed webmaster Rehan. "And a great thing about www.originoman.om is that any business that joins Origin Oman can have its own website page on the portal. Of course, they get to control all their own content and links. We realize that most people are unsure about setting up a webpage and think it's an expensive process but this service is free to all Origin Oman members and we'll be there to guide them all the way."

"The Origin Oman Campaign is a great initiative and the website is an important part of it," Al Faruji added. "In the coming weeks and months there will be regular promotional campaigns in the press, on TV and radio, and of course as on the web. Also there will be panel discussions and public events that illustrate the substantial and varied contributions of local businesses to Oman's economic and environmental well-being."

Origin Oman is open to any Omani business of any size, whether you make or sell a product or service. Non-business organisations such as educational institutions, government organizations, charities, sports clubs and other bodies can also join.