Oman Promotes its Products Domestically, Globally

Oman Promotes its Products Domestically, Globally
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Oman Promotes its Products Domestically, Globally

Oman Promotes its Products Domestically, Globally

Asila bint Salim Al Samsami, undersecretary of the Oman’s Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion for Investment Promotion, has revealed the ministry’s intention to launch an initiative to promote the Omani products and increase their competitiveness in domestic and global markets.

She stressed the importance of understanding the behavior of consumers and ensuring that Omani products meet their demands.

This facilitates the expansion of Omani products to various foreign markets, while complying with international standards.

She added that the ministry is uniting all efforts to promote the Omani product.

A circular by the Ministry of Finance mandated that government contracts valued at RO 10,000 or lower must be awarded to small and medium Omani enterprises (SMEs) registered with the Public Authority for SME Development (Riyada).

This is in line with the Economic Stimulus Plan approved by Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, which seeks to aid Oman’s economic recovery, as well as strengthen national development, it said.

“The government is making great efforts to support SMEs to achieve added value to the national economy, contribute to economic diversification, support innovation and use modern technologies, and to stress the importance of concerted efforts among all units of the state’s administrative apparatus to implement this.”

It urged internal audit bureaus in ministries, government units, public bodies, institutions and state companies to ensure strict compliance with this directive.

Exceptions may be granted on reasonable grounds by relevant government bodies, the circular added.



UN Launches Cairo Declaration to Address Hunger in Arab Region

Palestinian children wait for food at a distribution center in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
Palestinian children wait for food at a distribution center in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
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UN Launches Cairo Declaration to Address Hunger in Arab Region

Palestinian children wait for food at a distribution center in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
Palestinian children wait for food at a distribution center in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

Rising conflicts, inflation, and climate change have worsened the food crisis in the Arab region, reaching record levels in 2023, according to six UN agencies.

The crisis now affects over 14% of the population, with early signs showing an even greater escalation this year.

To address this, the six UN agencies issued the “Cairo Declaration on Financing Agrifood Systems Transformation in the Near East and North Africa Region” on Wednesday.

The six UN agencies reaffirmed their commitment to working closely with development banks, the private sector, and national governments to boost financial resources for transforming food and agricultural systems in the Arab region, aiming to improve food security and nutrition.

These agencies—FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP, WHO, and ESCWA—also proposed creating cooperative funding platforms, led by governments and developed with partners, to help meet the second Sustainable Development Goal of ending hunger.

The “Cairo Declaration” was issued alongside a joint report titled the 2024 NENA Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition. The report warned that the Arab region is still far from reaching its food security and nutrition targets for 2030.

In 2023, 66.1 million people—14% of the Arab population—were affected by hunger. The report showed that around 186.5 million people (39.4% of the population) faced food insecurity, with 72.7 million suffering from severe food insecurity.

Conflicts remain the main cause of food insecurity and malnutrition in the region, compounded by economic challenges, income inequality, and extreme weather events.

Food prices have worsened the crisis, with malnutrition rates in conflict-affected countries jumping to 26.4% in 2023—four times higher than the 6.6% in stable countries. Ongoing conflicts and droughts are expected to further degrade food security and nutrition.

FAO’s Assistant Director-General and NENA Regional Representative Abdulhakim Elwaer emphasized the need for improved public resource use and additional funding to positively impact food systems in Arab countries.

The agencies stress that the report’s findings will drive efforts to create more efficient, inclusive, and sustainable food systems in the region, benefiting both people and the planet.

Over a third of the Arab population struggles to afford healthy food, with 151.3 million people unable to cover basic nutritional needs. This issue is especially severe in conflict zones, where 41.2% of people can't afford a healthy diet.