Oman’s leading food and hospitality event begins in OCEC

MUSCAT: The much-anticipated Food and Hospitality Oman (FHO) event began yesterday at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre in Hall Number 4. The three-day event, which will run until September 28, 2022, is one of the largest international trade exhibitions in the Sultanate of Oman and is running from 10 am to 7 pm everyday. In addition, an exclusive workshop is also being held from 10:30 am to 6:00 pm on the same dates.

The exhibition was inaugurated earlier today by Salim bin Mohammed al Mahrouqi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism, amidst several distinguished delegates from different ministries, industry experts, and senior executives from leading corporate companies. The event, which has registered the participation of more than 150 local and international companies from over 10 countries, has also garnered the attention of industry enthusiasts, professionals in different hospitality sectors, and food aficionados, and is expecting a footfall of over 5000 visitors over the course of three days.

Organised by CONNECT (Oman Exhibitions Organising Company LLC), FHO is held under the patronage of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources and is hosted by the Oman Food Investment Holding Company (Nitaj). The main sponsors of the event include Nakheel Oman Development Company, Oman Flour Mills Co. SAOG, and Mazoon Dairy along with keen support from the Muscat Municipality and the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (Madayn). Acting as the Food and Technology Sponsor is Foodics, while the National Hospitality Institute (NHI) is participating as the Hospitality Partner and the Oman Tourism College is on board as the Registration Sponsor. Co-located at the exhibition is the FHO Workshop, which is accredited by CPD certification.

With Oman Vision 2040 exerting emphasis on boosting the food and hospitality segment, FHO was instituted with the purpose of creating an ecosystem for visitors, SME owners, and business professionals to network, engage and interact with each other, create lucrative linkages, and explore new inventions and innovations.

Commenting on the exhibition, Dr Hussain bin Al Samh al Masrouri, Director General of the Food Safety and Quality Center, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources said, “The food and hospitality industry is rapidly evolving, and it is quintessential for stakeholders to embrace this transformation. Building the capacity of the sector’s human resources, keeping pace with the latest technological and logistical developments, and being vigilant of emerging disruptive innovators are critical factors to achieving success in this journey. We appreciate the support of the private sector companies who have shown heightened enthusiasm in aligning with our vision to enhance food security, safety, and quality in the nation. While this is fundamental for human existence and goes a long way in promoting a healthy society, achieving food security also contributes to economic growth, acceleration in trade opportunities, and generation of job prospects locally. Through this exhibition, we will be able to network with leading international corporate companies, get better insights into global innovations, and further enhance local capabilities.”