More than 100 Omani firms representing various industries recently participated in the Omani Products Exhibition (Opex) 2016, which was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Opex is a series of large-scale, international trade shows designed specifically to renew and revitalise the promotion of Oman-made goods overseas.

Led by the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ithraa and the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (PEIE), the Opex Organising Committee met recently at Ithraa to review the recent event held in Ethiopia, said a statement.

The committee thanked the participating companies as well as Dr Salem ben Nasser Al Ismaily, chairman, Ithraa; Dr Ali bin Masoud Al Sunaidy, Minster of Commerce and Industry; Said Saleh Said Al Kiyumi, president, Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Hilal bin Hamad Al Hasani, CEO of PEIE for their significant help and support in taking the Opex initiative forward.

Over the past two years, Opex shows have been held in Jeddah, Riyadh, Dubai, Doha and more recently in Addis Ababa. Feedback received by the organising Committee clearly suggests the shows are paying dividends and helping change the way Omani non-oil exporters conduct business. As a result, more Omani firms are trading internationally, it said.

Nasima Al Balushi, director general of export development, said: “We are passionate about encouraging more businesses to get a foothold in international markets. Growing our economy requires looking beyond our borders.”

Promoting and communicating the importance of non-oil exports, in my view, is key to Oman’s long-term economic future. The committee is thrilled with the success Opex has enjoyed and we look forward to developing the initiative and taking it to more cities in key markets,” she added. – TradeArabia News Service