Doha                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             20 Oct. 2018

Preparations of 2018 “Made in Qatar” exhibition in Oman from 5-9 November are in full swing as per schedule and participating companies have completed their registration, said the Organising Committee of the event.

Chaired by Qatar Chamber’s board member Rashid bin Nasser Al Kaabi in presence of Saleh bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Director General of Qatar Chamber of Commerce (QCC),  the committee reviewed the final preparations of the event and agenda of its accompanying forum “ Qatari-Omani Business Forum”.

The committee said that forum would offer a host of investment opportunities in many industrial sectors which will be reviewed by Qatari businessmen and their Omani counterparts with the aim of implementing joint ventures and new investments in both countries.

Rashis Al Kaabi, who is also director of the exhibition,  said that all preparations for the event are in the final stage, noting that it would be of a great success that befit Qatar’s and Oman’s position.

The expo will be held from 5-9 November 2018 in Oman, is organised by QC in cooperation with the Ministry of Energy and Industry and Qatar Development Bank as strategic partner on an area of 10,000 sqm. at the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre.

With the participation of over 214 Qatari companies and, the five-day exhibition basically aims to promote the locally-manufactured products in the Omani market and exchange experience between Qatari and Omani firms.

The expo, which will be held for the second time outside the country,  also aims to open new horizons of cooperation between the private sector in both countries and inform the Omani business community on the Qatari products.

Al Kaabi noted that all the expo-related logistics have been accomplished  with the Omani side. He expressed his sincere thanks to all entities supporting Qatar Chamber in Oman, foremost of which is Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

He also thanked all bodies and companies that provided support and sponsorship to the events, foremost of which is Qatar Development Bank the strategic partner, as well as Qatar Petroleum the energy sector partner, Qatar National Bank and Manateq as official sponsors, Qatar Manufacturing Industries Company  as diamond sponsor,, Qatar Primary Materials Company as golden sponsor and ASTAD Company and main sponsor for projects management.

Al Kaabi explained choosing Oman as a venue for the expo is due to the strong economic relations between the the private sectors in both countries.

He said the balance of trade between the two countries has made successive leaps in a short period, adding that Qatari business owners are also interested in exploring investment opportunities in the industrial sectors in Oman.

He said that a business forum would be held on the sidelines of the Expo to provide a platform for Qatari and Omani businessmen to discuss enhancing their cooperation ties and investments opportunities available in both sides.

With regard of Qatar’s industrial sector, the QC board member affirmed that it isn’t affected by the siege imposed on the country for more than one year, noting that the private sector manage to boost its investments, expand activities in industry, and boost its relations.

He praised all initiatives supporting industry sector in the country such as “Own A Factory Within 72hrs” which contributed to encouraging business to intensify their investments in industry.

Al Kaabi stressed the chamber’s efforts being exerted with all bodies to organise this expo to be of great success and achieve its objectives in increasing trade between both friendly countries.

In turn, Saleh Al Sharqi said that the exhibition aims to inform Omani consumers and companies on the Qatari products and enable Qatari firms to explore the Omani market.

He praised the Qatari businessmen’s response to the chamber’s invitation to attend the exhibition accompanying forum, noting that  a number of leading businessmen will visit Oman during the expo to participate in the forum.

Al Sharqi affirmed that the B2B meeting between both countries’ businessmen would held in establishing joint alliances, signing trade agencies contracts as well as participating in joint ventures in both sides.

He reviewed the final preparations for the expo which would be held in an area on 10000 sqm at the Oman Convention & Exhibitions Center, assuring that the great participation by Qatari firms stressed the expo’s importance in supporting national industry and promoting local products inside and outside the country.

The expo would feature many industries including petrochemicals, furniture, food and beverage, SMEs, services and various industries as well as home-produced items.

Al Sharqi explained the six industrial sectors of companies displaying their products in the event saying: “ There are 59 companies representing diversified industries, 12 companies in services, 21 companies in furniture sector, 19 companies in petrochemicals, 59 SMEs, 44 in food and beverage sector and 20 productive families.

It is worth mentioning that Qatar Chamber organised five local edition of the expo and one outside the country.

The chamber is keen on regularly holding the exhibition to promote national industry and products, encourage the use of Qatari products, decrease the dependence on imports, support the country’s efforts boosting the industry sector and urge businessmen to invest in industry.

It also aims to support the country’s strategy in public-private partnership, open new external markets for local products and promote SMEs.