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. Acting as the Food and Technology Sponsor is Foodics, while the National Hospitality Institute (NHI) will participate as the Hospitality Partner. Co-located at the exhibition will be the free-to-attend FHO Workshop, which is accredited by CPD certification.

Commenting on the event, Nasiba AlRashdi, Corporate Development and Sustainability Manager, Nitaj said, “The continued success of this highly anticipated industry event reflects the growing importance of the food and hospitality sector. It is also a celebration of Oman’s deep-rooted sense of hospitality and its intrinsic values that revolve around promoting a multicultural, inclusive, and vibrant society. FHO will not only provide an excellent networking platform for businesses in the sector but will also showcase innovations in the segment and the latest products and services. Meanwhile, the series of competitions will be a fine demonstration of the skills, competencies, and talents of various professionals in the field. We are confident that the event will provide an engaging experience for all.”    

She further stated, “Oman has been an ardent supporter of micro, small and medium enterprises, acknowledging them as engines of economic growth. Through its various endeavours, it has also provided the needed encouragement to aspiring professionals to make their mark in the industry. FHO is, therefore, in strong alignment with the nation’s strategic development plans and Oman Vision 2040.” 

With a strong emphasis on promoting quality, the central theme of FHO’s workshop will be ‘Together for safe food’. Featuring leading local and international speakers, it will provide invaluable insights to stakeholders in the food ecosystem, including manufacturers, packers, transporters, hotels, restaurants, retailers, food safety professionals, and food delivery partners and aggregators.

Promising to be an entertaining event for attendees, FHO will also host a series of competitions to honour industry experts. While the 8th edition of the Oman Barista Competition will showcase the talents of the Sultanate’s finest baristas, the Professional Chef Competition will demonstrate the culinary excellence achieved by leading chefs in the country, thereby also boosting the HORECA industry. In addition, Medina Ilyas and Al Roofoof Hotel Supplies & Trading will present the first Oman Qahwa Championship 2022 at the event. Participants will be judged based on their knowledge of Qahwa history, its preparation techniques, serving etiquette, and taste. An exclusive competition for the waiters, the Waiter’s Race will provide an exciting opportunity for visitors to witness a display of skill, speed, technique, and teamwork that waiters are trained to exhibit on the job daily.

Catering to the food and beverage, agriculture and fisheries, food processing technologies, kitchen and catering equipment, hotel supplies and equipment, and restaurant and cafe segments, FHO will provide infinite opportunities for exhibitors to create brand awareness for their products and services while giving attendees the chance to explore the latest developments in the market and gain useful insights. 

The event is free to attend and open to all. To register online, visit https://foodandhospitalityoman.com/VisitorRegistrationForm.aspx

“The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries Wealth & Water Resources aims to strengthen the position of the Sultanate of Oman as the most competitive center in the region, and in contributing effectively to ensuring the promotion of food security regionally and globally according to international specifications and standards for food safety and food quality. Food and Hospitality Oman is held in line with government initiatives and Oman’s vision 2040.” commented an official from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries Wealth & Water Resources.

During three days of FHO, over 100 companies from 10+ countries will exhibit their latest products and solutions to 5,000+ F&B professionals from across Oman and the Middle East region. With over 500 brands on display, visitors will get an opportunity to compare and evaluate products prior to making the buying decision.

The platform offers vast opportunities to network and learn the about the latest technology and industry trends at the Food and Hospitality Oman Workshop. The free-to-attend, CPD-accredited workshop is themed "Together for safe food” featuring influential and informative sessions. Held alongside the 3-day exhibition, the FHO Workshop will cover live discussions on trends and opportunities in the business food logistics/supply chain, food packaging, food safety, food security, restaurant innovation, takeaway and delivery innovations.

In addition to the exhibition and workshop, visitors will also witness comprehensive live culinary competitions, watch Oman’s finest Barista and professional coffee makers compete in the Oman Barista Competition, and join world-class chefs live in the professional Chef’s competition.

The Host Organisation Nitaj (Oman Food Investment Holding Co. - OFIC) is the most trusted source of food security in Oman, through partnerships with government agencies, private operators, and investors. OFIC specializes in developing partnerships with food companies and other stakeholders to identify project opportunities and building strong business cases for investors, providing guidance to management on new projects in the early stages, with minimal operational involvement in the long-term, and creating a holding company to manage the government's investment in the food industry.

The main sponsors, Nakheel Oman Development Company, Oman Flour Mills Co., and Mazoon Dairy specialise in a range of products and services catering to the food needs in the Sultanate. Nakheel Oman Development Company is recognised as one of the world’s largest producers of date palm products and by-products in Oman. Oman Flour Mills Co. SAOG, is the largest flour milling company in the Sultanate of Oman. Their expertise and dedication is towards providing customers with wheat flour and related products. Mazoon Dairy is a pioneer in manufacturing dairy products in Oman.

Entry to the exhibition and workshop is free of charge. To know more about the event and register online, visit www.foodandhospitalityoman.com

Held during the same dates in adjacent Hall number 5 at Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre, the free-to-attend Oman Health Exhibition and Conference (OHEC) will attract the healthcare and medical industry from Oman and across the world. The Oman Health Conference will cover pressing topics related to establishing a sound healthcare system in lines with Oman Health Vision 2050. To know more, visit www.omanhealthexpo.com

The exhibition aims at enhancing the growth and development of the food and hospitality industry, which contribute largely to Oman's GDP. According to the GCC Food Industry, Oman is expected to witness the fastest growth in food consumption in the GCC region, with an annualised rate of 4.2 percent between 2020 and 2025. Higher investments by the Sultanate towards agricultural projects that aim to use smart techniques in addition to hydroponics, aquaponics, and advanced technologies in irrigation and fertilisation are helping the country in increasing domestic production to significant levels. Such measures are likely to boost demand for home-grown commodities in the future. 

Ashley Roberts, General Manager, CONNECT – the Organiser of FHO states, “We are confident that the business opportunities offered at FHO will foster positive meaningful engagement in the food and hospitality industries, and that will support economic growth. With FHO, we present the right platform to network and gain insights into the evolving food and hospitality sector in Oman.” 

Food and Hospitality Oman will feature over 250 exhibiting companies offering new products and innovations in featured areas on the show floor. The main focus is on food products, beverages, agriculture and fisheries, ingredients and seasoning, hotel equipment supplies and services, catering and kitchen equipment, packaging systems, resort and spa facilities, interior design services, hotel decor and style, hotel and hospitality technologies, food processing technologies. In addition, the latest spotlight is the Professional Chef Competition sponsored by National Hospitality Institute (NHI) and Oman Chef’s Guild, Bed Making Competition sponsored by National Hospitality Institute (NHI), Waiters' Race sponsored by the National Hospitality Institute (NHI), and Oman Barista Competition.

The co-located Workshop aims at assisting the broad range of food and beverage professionals in understanding the best practises and solutions for ensuring food safety and other areas related to food industry. The Workshop will attract experts from food and beverage (F&B) manufacturers, processors, producers, retailers, catering & restaurant services, packaging and processing technology providers, vendors and government representatives to discuss the latest policies regulations, innovative approaches and technological advancements for assurance of food safety and quality in the Sultanate.

To know more, visit www.foodandhospitalityoman.com