Friday 20 / September / 2024
Muscat: More than 5,000 visitors representing various segments of the Ethiopian business society got acquainted with Omani products, majority of whom hailed the excellent quality of the displayed Omani products at the Opex 2016 in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa.
At the recently concluded Omani Products Exhibition, visitors interacted with the participating companies which exceeded 100 Omani firms representing different sectors in addition to government bodies and small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
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 Opex event in Addis Ababa, where Omani firms were able to sign agreements, agency contracts, and import and export contracts.
"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 Opex 2016 was the right decision. The exhibition shall boost trade relations between the Sultanate and Ethiopia in addition to the other African countries," Al Hasani said.
“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.
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 said that the Ethiopian market is a promising one and has significant opportunities for the Omani products.
He further said that a delegation comprising Ethiopian businessmen will visit the Sultanate and that they have expressed 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,” he added.
“Besides, the success of Opex 2016 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 said.
During his visit to Opex 2016, Solomon Afework, president of Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations (ECCSA) affirmed that efforts are being made 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," Afework said.
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.
Omani dates
The outstanding packaging and quality of Omani dates impressed the visitors to Opex 2016 platform. Abdullah Al Mardi, general manager of National United Dates Company, said: "This event has allowed us to introduce our products to the African market and especially Ethiopia. We have signed deals to sell our products here.”
“Thanks to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry for their constant support for the companies to promote their products in Africa. Efforts of Opex Organising Committee to organise this important event shall also be appreciated. This event would facilitate the entry to the Ethiopian market which serves as the main gateway to the African market in general,” he added.
