Muscat

Oman’s leading food and hospitality event begins in Oman; over 150 local and international brands from 10 countries participate

The much-anticipated Food and Hospitality Oman (FHO) event began today at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre in Hall Number 4. The three-day event, which will run until 28 September 2022, is one of the largest international trade exhibitions in the Sultanate and is running from 10 am to 7 pm every day. 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 His Excellency 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 Organizing Company LLC), FHO is held under the patronage of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Wealth 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 Wealth 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.” According to National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), the number of guests in 3–5-star hotels increased to 903,000 in 2022. The revenues of the same category of hotels witnessed a significant increase of 117.6 percent until the end of July 2022, reaching OMR 95.332 million, compared to the same period in 2021. While this upward tick is a testament to the flourishing tourism sector in the Sultanate, it also indicates immense potential for the food and hospitality industry. In relation to the same, FHO will not only augment developments in this promising sector but will significantly contribute to the country’s diversification agenda.

Showcasing the latest in food and hospitality from different countries, FHO features dedicated pavilions that include Turkey, Pakistan, Poland, India, and Iran. Taking a holistic approach to adding value to the sector, it focuses on products and services related to food and beverages, coffee, hospitality, packaging, technology, and kitchen equipment.

A key highlight of the event is the FHO Workshop designed for stakeholders in the food ecosystem. In line with the central theme ‘Together for safe food’, it emphasises the importance of promoting quality in the food industry. Those participating in the workshop will also be honoured with a certificate.

With great attention being given to creating a memorable experience for everyone, FHO is also hosting a live F&B demo area with exciting events like Chef Competition, Waiter’s Race, and Oman Barista Competition with the first ever Oman Qahwa Championship 2022.

Apart from the partners and sponsors, the exhibition is seeing the active involvement of prominent local companies like Shah Nagardas and Mehul Enterprises. In addition, recognising SMEs as engines of growth, FHO extended subsidised participation fees, concessions, and other types of support to young entrepreneurs. It, therefore, has several home-grown SMEs showcasing their innovative products and services too.

The event is free to attend and open to all. For more information, visit
https://foodandhospitalityoman.com/home