Origin Oman's Meet The Buyer starts today

Origin Oman - the government-run 'think and buy local' campaign - is determined to help local businesses during these difficult economic times and this event will enable ministries and businesses to forge relations with major suppliers.

"We fully recognize that these one-on-one contact opportunities are vital to boosting the local economy. Indeed, Meet-the-Buyer brings together in one place, on one day, key ministries and major companies that are looking to purchase a range of local goods and services. It's a simple concept that's been extremely well received,"

said Ibtisam Al Faruji, Marketing Director, Origin Oman.

As part of everyday business, local suppliers visit different companies and government organizations in order to try and win business. With Origin Oman's Meet-the-Buyer event, all the buyers are in one place at the same time. This gives potential suppliers a direct introduction to their target market and makes it a much more efficient way of doing business.

Al Faruji went on to say: "The response to this initiative has been fantastic. We've attracted over 25 government ministries to participate and in excess of 30 local suppliers. The level of interest clearly indicates that participants intend to do business. It takes time for business deals to be formally concluded and therefore the resultant trading figures probably won't be known for another three to six months. Needless to add, we'll be watching that space very carefully."

"In these difficult economic times we have to do all we can to support local businesses," said Hamida Al Balushi, Origin Oman Co-ordinator, adding: "Meet-the-Buyer has been designed specifically to put local suppliers in direct contact with major buyers and give them a chance to secure some very lucrative contracts."

"From a buyer perspective," explains Al Balushi, "Monday's event can help with sourcing new products and suppliers, keeping up with innovation, networking and ensuring businesses and ministries are achieving best value. From a seller perspective, it gives them the chance to hold face-to-face meetings with buyers who are actively looking to place business."