The Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (PEIE), represented by the Department of Omani Product, has tied up with Oman International Trade and Exhibitions (OITE) to take part in an upcoming tourism festival in Salalah.

The one-month Salalah Tourism Festival (STF) will kick off tomorrow (June 21).

An agreement was signed recently between PEIE, represented by Basim bin Ali Al Nasri, PEIE Marketing and Media director-general, and (OITE), represented by Ahmed bin Saleh Baabood, OITE executive chairman.

This collaboration seeks to achieve the aspirations of both parties in establishing direct links with visitors to the festival through the consumer exhibition at STF, which is being organised annually by OITE, noted Basim Al Nasri.

"The exhibition is expected to evoke good response as around 80 companies representing various economic, production and service sectors from inside and outside the industrial estates pertaining to PEIE are expected to participate in the exhibition. It is the first time the Omani products will be displayed for sale on a consumer exhibition at STF unlike previous years, which were merely promotional participations," said Al Nasri.

"The exhibition, which comes as part of the 'Omani Campaign', is aimed at raising awareness of consumers about the quality of Omani products and their local and international competitive capabilities. The exhibition will offer an opportunity for local entrepreneurs to make their brands make a way into a bigger market," he added.

"It also encourages individuals and organisations to purchase local products and services as a first choice, as this will eventually contribute to boosting the national economy. It should be noted that procuring Omani products plays a major role in increasing per capita income which ultimately reflects positively on the national economy."

The exhibition is the eighth held as part of a series of exhibitions of Omani Products Campaign 2012 across the Sultanate.

"We are delighted to witness Omani products competing with international products. To recognise this achievement, PEIE’s road show will continue throughout the year with the aim of apprising local consumers about the quality of Omani products. Our focal target is to make Omanis proud of local-made products and encourage consumers and companies to choose local-made products and services," Al Nasri pointed out.

Ahmed Baabood said: "Be Omani. Buy Omani. That is the concept that the Omani Products Exhibition carries with it and we envision our collaboration with PEIE reinforcing this key message. Omani Products Exhibition constitutes a separate pavilion which will be a part of the Salalah Tourism Festival and will exclusively showcase Omani local products and consequently the wealth of the country.”

“The idea for this thought can be attributed to the rapid change that has been taking place in the country, with the vision of His Majesty being gradually implemented in terms of promoting the local workforce and the local culture and strengthening the national economy of the country.

“What better way to promote the unique Omani culture than through the products we make, which represent the core of being Omani. This year will see the largest Omani Products Exhibition, held at STF 2012,” he added. – TradeArabia News Service