Sunday 23 / February / 2025
Muscat: Under the auspices of Sayyid Ibrahim bin Said Al Busaidi, Governor of Musandam, the new headquarters of the Zaree Khasab project was inaugurated in the Wilayat of Khasab.
The project, funded by the Development Bank, was launched in the presence of Mahmood bin Abdullah Al Aweini, Secretary General of the Ministry of Finance and Chairman of the Bank’s Board of Directors, along with Hussein bin Ali Al Lawati, CEO of the Development Bank, and several officials.
During the event, the Governor and attendees toured the new Zaree Khasab headquarters at Bassa Beach, which provides an enriching tourism experience for visitors and tourists in Musandam.
The project aims to promote Musandam as a key tourist destination, enhance visitors’ experiences, and showcase the cultural heritage of the governorate.
It features a range of handcrafted souvenirs made by local artisans, allowing tourists to immerse themselves in the region’s traditions through henna experiences, traditional attire, hospitality services, and local cuisine sampling.
Iman bint Saleh Al Salti, the founder of Zaree Khasab, provided an overview of the project, emphasising its role in empowering local artisans by encouraging them to continue their craft, develop their products, and bring them to market.
She highlighted the project’s evolution since its inception in 2012, from a simple idea to a well-established business that has gained recognition through international exhibitions and prestigious awards, making it a model for showcasing Omani handicrafts to the world.
In addition to promoting traditional crafts, Zaree Khasab also offers guided tourism services, with its team holding official tour guide licences.
The project has participated in several international and global exhibitions, earning numerous awards and honours.
The facility includes a fully equipped pottery studio, an art workshop, and a dedicated section for handcrafted souvenirs, allowing visitors to unleash their creativity and craft personalised, heritage-inspired keepsakes.
Al Salti, a licenced tour guide by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, stated that the opening of the new Zaree Khasab headquarters at Bassa Beach represents a significant milestone for the project.
She emphasised that it serves as a platform for preserving and presenting Musandam’s rich heritage to the world, both through local tourism experiences and international exhibitions supported by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, which has facilitated participation in global events.
Al Salti expressed her gratitude to the Governor for his continuous support and keen interest in the project, as well as to the Development Bank, which has provided essential funding and support for equipping the new headquarters to meet the project’s requirements.
She also highlighted that Zaree Khasab offers a unique experience for visitors, allowing them to create their own souvenirs inspired by the region.
The facility features a fully equipped pottery studio, an art workshop, and a dedicated space for handcrafted keepsakes, giving tourists an opportunity to express their creativity and craft personalised heritage-inspired pieces.
Al Salti noted that Zaree Khasab has participated in various international exhibitions and received multiple local and global awards, including recognition by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism on World Tourism Day, the Al Roya Youth Initiative Award, Tourism Ambassador Award for Musandam, the Women’s Excellence Award, the Best Project Award on Omani Youth Day, and the Best Social Responsibility Project Award.
Additionally, Zaree Khasab has represented the Sultanate of Oman at major events such as the Arabian Travel Market (annually from 2013 to 2024), Expo Dubai, the London Equestrian Festival, the Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival in Abu Dhabi, and numerous other local and international exhibitions.
