Origin Oman Exhibition set for 25 - 29 May

The vitality of Oman's economy is derived from living people, communities, businesses and ecosystems. "Place matters," says Ibtisam Al Faruji, PEIE's Head of Marketing and the woman spearheading the government's recently-launched Origin Oman campaign.

"The welfare of our communities relies on the health of our domestic economy. Buying and partnering locally keeps money within our communities, reduces demand on environmental resources, creates jobs, stimulates innovation and entrepreneurship and strengthens community spirit and character," says Ibtisam.

Origin Oman is a new think, buy and eat local business initiative spearheaded by PEIE. "In simple terms, the campaign aims to preserve and enhance the economic, human and natural vitality of Oman's communities by promoting the importance of purchasing locally made products and services," says Al Faruji.

"We expect 70 exhibitors to participate at the Origin Oman Exhibition and these will be drawn from various local sectors, from small scale handicraft businesses to large scale manufacturers like Anwar Ceramics through to local colleges such as Oman Tourism College. The exhibition is intended to give visitors a real feel of locally produced products and services."

"Origin Oman certainly isn't a militant 'buy only Oman' initiative," says Hamida Al Balushi, of PEIE's Marketing Department and Origin Oman Exhibition Co-ordinator, "it's a balanced and rational campaign that is more about educating consumers and institutional buyers as to the availability of Oman-made products and services and the internal success stories many of our manufacturers are enjoying in the international markets."

"Communities are joint ventures between groups of people who live within close proximity to each other to make something beautiful out of their surroundings. if you consider all of the people in a community to be partners within a joint venture, it becomes easier to see why strengthening ties between consumers, institutional buyers and local businesses is so critical. Buying local is incredibly important and we want people to reflect on they're purchasing decisions. Our job is all about highlight the fact that Oman is producing great products and services."

"We need this type of nudge," suggests Hamida, "I guess that once the average Oman-based consumer realizes they already buy local to some degree, whether that's washing powder, fruit and vegetables, baby nappies, sweets, car batteries, or cooking oil - the blocks you build your house with, they will perhaps engage in the idea a lot more. In fact, the overall economic impact of buying local is actually phenomenal."