07 April 2014
Muscat: A high-level Omani food and beverage business delegation led by Ithraa will head for Singapore early next week to participate in the 19th Food and Hotel Asia (FHA) Exhibition to be held between April 8 and 11.
"With over 3,000 exhibitors from 64 countries, and spread over 97,000 square metres, this is one of the world's premier trade shows. And we're delighted to be taking nine leading Omani food and beverage companies with us to exhibit in addition to an Omani Abalone trader," commented Nasima Al Balushi, Ithraa director-general (Export Development).
On the sidelines of the FHA, Ithraa's director (Service Investment), Sulaiman Al Harasi, will hold high-level inward investment business-to-business meetings at the Singapore Business Federation with Singaporean companies working in logistics, marine and ship repairs, food processing and manufacturing.
Research estimates that Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries will consume 49.1 million tonnes of food annually by the end of 2017. And while there is a growing awareness and drive about healthy living in the region, obesity rates are high and there are concerns about the rise of diabetes. As a consequence, demand for health food, which is high on energy and nutrition, is expected to gain traction.
"It's clear the region's food and beverage market is changing and expanding," commented Al Harasi. "We're also witnessing a shift in food consumption patterns to protein-rich diets that include meat and dairy products. Then, you factor in today's hectic lifestyle and you see an increasing demand for processed food. Overall, the Gulf's food and beverage sector is experiencing growth and this is being driven by rising affluence, greater purchasing power, growing population, urbanization, a maturing retail sector and improved logistics," added Ithraa service investment director.
"The growth in Oman's food and beverage sector is down to solid government support, the attraction of key industry players, explained Al Balushi.
In order to attract foreign investment and increase private sector participation in the food and beverage sector, Oman is looking at ways to encourage and develop the use of modern agricultural techniques such as organic farming, aqua-farming, hydroponics and greenhouse plantations.
Muscat: A high-level Omani food and beverage business delegation led by Ithraa will head for Singapore early next week to participate in the 19th Food and Hotel Asia (FHA) Exhibition to be held between April 8 and 11.
"With over 3,000 exhibitors from 64 countries, and spread over 97,000 square metres, this is one of the world's premier trade shows. And we're delighted to be taking nine leading Omani food and beverage companies with us to exhibit in addition to an Omani Abalone trader," commented Nasima Al Balushi, Ithraa director-general (Export Development).
On the sidelines of the FHA, Ithraa's director (Service Investment), Sulaiman Al Harasi, will hold high-level inward investment business-to-business meetings at the Singapore Business Federation with Singaporean companies working in logistics, marine and ship repairs, food processing and manufacturing.
Research estimates that Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries will consume 49.1 million tonnes of food annually by the end of 2017. And while there is a growing awareness and drive about healthy living in the region, obesity rates are high and there are concerns about the rise of diabetes. As a consequence, demand for health food, which is high on energy and nutrition, is expected to gain traction.
"It's clear the region's food and beverage market is changing and expanding," commented Al Harasi. "We're also witnessing a shift in food consumption patterns to protein-rich diets that include meat and dairy products. Then, you factor in today's hectic lifestyle and you see an increasing demand for processed food. Overall, the Gulf's food and beverage sector is experiencing growth and this is being driven by rising affluence, greater purchasing power, growing population, urbanization, a maturing retail sector and improved logistics," added Ithraa service investment director.
"The growth in Oman's food and beverage sector is down to solid government support, the attraction of key industry players, explained Al Balushi.
In order to attract foreign investment and increase private sector participation in the food and beverage sector, Oman is looking at ways to encourage and develop the use of modern agricultural techniques such as organic farming, aqua-farming, hydroponics and greenhouse plantations.
© Times of Oman 2014
