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"Participation in international platforms offers a distinctive opportunity to introduce the companies to visitors and participants, specifically business owners and CEOs, to the investment opportunities enjoyed by the various industrial estates pertaining to PEIE," Al Ahsani added.
Al Ahsani stressed that PEIE is undertaking continuous efforts in implementing its strategy to support Omani products, both internally and externally. "At the local level, Omani Products Exhibitions is being organised throughout the year in various governorates of the Sultanate. We are also in the process of implementing our agreement with the Ministry of Education, which aims at spreading the culture of purchasing locally-manufactured products through enhancing their presence among the educational community in Oman. On the other hand, at the regional level, preparations are underway, in cooperation with a number of public and private institutions, to organise Omani Products Expo in one of the GCC countries towards the end of 2013, especially after the overwhelming success of the expo held in Riyadh in KSA last December."
A number of Omani companies, which were present at Gulfood 2013, succeeded in forming deals and trade agreements during the event, informed Basim bin Ali Al Nassri, Director General of Marketing and Media at PEIE. "Due to the great success of Oman's participation at Gulfood 2013, officials at PEIE have already commenced communications with the organisers of the event to book a larger area for Gulfood 2014, in compliance with the aspiration of numerous Omani companies to benefit from their presence in world's biggest annual food and hospitality show," Al Nassri pointed out.
Overwhelmed participants
Expressing his excitement for the overwhelming feedback from visitors, Nilesh Ved, General Manager, Oman Foodstuff Factory LLC - Mudhish, said "It was a long-waiting platform for us. In fact, we have been waiting for years to get the space in this important event. However, due to immediate efforts made by the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates, we have finally attained a space to showcase our high quality products to visitors coming from all over the world."Ved added, "The fact that the quality of Omani products is always up to standards compared to other countries, has made our showcased products well-accepted from international visitors to the expo. It was vital for Omani companies to open wider horizons for regional and international visitors to explore locally-manufactured products through an international platform like Gulfood."
Nilesh Ved noted that the company will not spare any effort to participate in next year's Gulfood exhibition to spread more awareness on its products and services. "As for next year, we are not only willing to take part in the event, but we are also aiming to get a larger space to spread further awareness on our products. Appreciation goes to PEIE for giving Omani companies an opportunity and a solid platform to demonstrate their products at Gulfood Exhibition,"
"We know how much time and energy demanded to organise our participation and we highly appreciate all of these efforts to make it a great success. In fact, we deeply appreciate the outstanding efforts and dedication PEIE has put to get an entry and a stage to explore Oman market to the world. The role played by PEIE in this event is commendable and exemplary. As always, it's great to know that we can count on an organisation to go the extra mile," Ved added.
Deals
Salalah Macaroni, which is marching ahead on the international arena by being the largest manufacturer of dry pasta in ARAB-ASIA with three production lines already in place, took part in the event. "Gulfood, which is now the world's biggest annual food exhibition, has offered us the most important source for meeting, greeting and trading with our existing and potential customers," says the General Manager Eng. Mr. Mohammad D. Zaidan.He further credits this participation to PEIE, which in collaboration with Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry and PAIPED, has efficiently secured and arranged a space for Salalah Macaroni under the banner of Oman Pavilion. "Their efforts are worth praising," he noted. He hopes that in 2014 the PEIE officials will strive to add more space to the existing companies and those who are aspiring since long to participate in such events to showcase their products to the international customers and bring laurels to Oman.
Zaidan added, "By taking the companies of Oman to Gulfood 2013 under the banner of Oman Pavilion is a prestigious step by the PEIE officials. By doing so they have helped Salalah Macaroni to add value to the vision of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said's for participating in Oman's phenomenal socio-economic growth."
Investment offers
Issa Al Rawahi, marketing manager at Oman Fisheries Company, affirmed that the company's participation aimed at establishing marketing opportunities through showcasing its value-added products and services. "The quality of our products was applauded by visitors to the exhibition's ground. Since Omani fisheries have excellent reputation in the global market, international companies from Europe, Africa, East Asia as well as GCC counties have offered investment opportunities. The world now is aware of the presence of Omani companies that produce products with outstanding quality," Al Rawahi pointed out.Sources indicate that GCC food imports were expected to more than double in the next decade, growing from $25.8bn in 2010, to $53.1bn. Reports on Gulfood confirm outstanding sales, unprecedented numbers of visitors, exhibitors and business transactions recorded during the four day event. According to data provided by Gulfood, over 4,000 exhibitors took part in the event, representing food producers, manufacturers and suppliers from their respective countries.
Posted by Rana Mesbah
