More than 5,000 visitors representing various segments of the Ethiopian business community attended the recently concluded Omani Products Exhibition (Opex 2016), held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The visitors were acquainted with the Omani products by more than 100 participating Omani firms representating different sectors in addition to government bodies and small and medium enterprises (SMEs), said a statement.

Ayman Abdullah Al Hasani, vice chairman for economic and branches affairs at Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), and chairman of Opex Organising Committee noted that initial data confirms the success of the event where Omani firms were able to sign agreements, agency contracts, and import and export contracts, it added.

Al Hasani said: “Going beyond the borders of the GCC area serves in gaining a new experience for the companies and choosing Addis Ababa as a destination for the event was the right decision. The exhibition shall boost trade relations between the sultanate and Ethiopia in addition to the other African countries.”

“Through coordinating with related bodies, Opex Organising Committee will work to overcome any challenges in order to push the Omani products to the Ethiopian market in terms of tax, customs among other issues. This will eventually facilitate import and export process as well as stimulate partnerships between the two sides,” he added.

Al Hasani further explained that the Ethiopian market is a promising one and has significant opportunities for the Omani products. "A delegation comprising Ethiopian businessmen will visit the sultanate in the coming period noting that they have expressed their admiration on the performance and quality of Omani products at the event. This will subsequently result in inking partnerships between the businessmen in the two countries taking into account that Oman enjoys a strategic geographical location that allows it to communicate effectively with the African countries.

“Besides, the success of the event will act as an impetus for the coming exhibitions. Ethiopia’s neighbouring countries have expressed their keenness to welcome Opex exhibitions in their countries," Al Hasani added.

Solomon Afework, president of Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations (ECCSA) affirmed that there are great efforts being made in order to advance the trade relations between Oman and Ethiopia. "The great interest from both sides to have bilateral business contracts is based on the competitive quality of the Omani products," he added.

A field visit for the Omani firms was organised on the sidelines of the exhibition to a number of Ethiopian industrial estates to get acquainted with their experience in terms of the facilities offered by the government, challenges, and shipping, import and export mechanisms.

It should be noted that more than 100 companies participated at the event representing different industries including natural resources, minerals, wood products, manufacturing products, furniture, food, medical and pharmaceuticals, fertilisers, plastic and metal equipment, perfume, leather, and logistics, in addition to related government bodies and a number of SMEs, it added. – TradeArabia News Service