Before the wholesale business of vegetables and fruits moved from its usual location in Al Mawaleh market to Khazaen Economic City in Barka recently, many citizens felt that there was a gradual increase in the prices of these goods.
This caused many followers to express their opinions on social media, expressing their dissatisfaction with the inflation in prices over a short period of time.
The move from Al Mawaleh market to the new city market for vegetables and fruits (Silal) area was smooth after the old market had been serving the commercial markets in most governorates for three decades. However, the increase in the distance that the merchant currently travels, in addition to the increase in the cost of rents and services, has led to a significant increase in prices, which will have an impact on the financial capabilities of consumers, especially those with limited income.
The new market in Khazaen is considered one of the largest national projects to serve wholesale markets, and to attract more Omani and foreign companies, which will inevitably lead to enhancing competition and gradually stabilising the prices of these materials during the coming period. This requires giving more licenses to Omanis to start importing from various countries and enhance the wholesale market, as well as exploiting Omani seaports to support imports from neighboring countries to enhance the country’s food security sector.
Officials at Khazaen Economic City have repeatedly emphasised that new market represents a new important national and international platform for marketing, exporting, importing, and re-exporting vegetables and fruits needed by the Omani governorates. This will also help property owners market agricultural lands during the coming period and stimulate the work of specialised banks in financing agricultural projects.
This move will also contribute to strengthening cold and supply chains and reduce total agricultural product losses due to the availability of quality services.
The new market also opens job opportunities for Omanis wishing to sell, market and promote agricultural products, especially for owners of small and medium-sized commercial enterprises, and create job opportunities for national cadres.
But what impacts the work of Omanis in this market are the rents and the high cost of services. Here we suggest that the responsible authority at Khazaen provide subsidised rental prices to Omanis to continue attracting and sustaining them in these businesses.
According to one local study, shop rents at Silal are higher compared to the Al Mawaleh market. Renting a small store can cost between RO 300 and 500, in addition to fees for open spaces, entry fees for trucks, and the use of forklifts for unloading. As for large warehouse, fees range from RO 1,800 to 2,340, in addition to fees for customs, refrigeration, and small administrative offices, besides fees for licenses and practicing activity for each company, laboratory fees, and entry fees for small cars, trucks, buses, etc, which will lead to an increase in the prices of vegetables and fruits.
The Omani market needs such modern markets for business, and the new market will enhance the country's position in attracting more investments in the agriculture and food security sectors and enhancing the added value of other businesses related to this sector.
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