More than 120 Omani companies representing various industrial sectors such as food and construction, electricity, furniture and marble tiles will be showcasing their products at a four-day event in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The fourth Omani Products Exhibition (Opex) opens tomorrow (May 18) at the Jeddah Center for Exhibitions and Forums.

It is being held in co-operation with Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry and aims to promote trade between Oman and Saudi Arabia.

Aiman Al Hosani, the deputy chairman of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) and head of the organising committee, said that exhibitions such as these help the residents in Jeddah to know more about the Omani products, their high quality and specifications that are at par with imported products.

He pointed out that the exhibition includes food and beverages, textiles and garments, minerals and metals, equipment and machinery, and furniture, as well as paper, plastic, nonmetallic, petrochemical, chemical, fabricated metal and recycled products.

“The exhibition will be a good opportunity to familiarise Saudi businessmen and investors with advantages of Omani products and their abilities to meet needs of the local and regional markets,” stated Al Hosani.

Oman’s trade relations with Saudi Arabia has seen a sharp rise since 2011, increasing by an overall 73 per cent, while the Sultanate’s non-oil exports to Saudi surged by 90 per cent in 2013.

He said the the previous exhibition held in Riyadh had managed to attract more than 4,000 visitors. Moreover, a number of Omani companies signed MoUs with Saudi investors to ensure exports of more than 30 orders of various products, he added.

Zahoor Siddique, the vice president of Al Harithy Company for Exhibitions (ACE), the event organizers, said: "We hope this exhibition will serve as a strategic investment opportunity and we are optimistic the exhibition will achieve its objectives in realizing the joint interests of both countries."

"The Omani products exhibition is considered a great opportunity for Saudi investors and companies to explore the Omani market. Being held in Jeddah, Opex is expected to see great success as Jeddah is the business hub and gateway to international trade, allowing participating companies to expand in a very strong global market," he added.-TradeArabia News Service