Omani products’ exhibition to start in Ethiopia today

Muscat: More than 100 Omani firms representing various industries are set to participate in Omani Products Exhibition (Opex) 2016, which starts on Monday) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The event will be inaugurated under the patronage of Yakob Yala, Ethiopian minister of state for trade, and will take place from April 11 to April 14, at Millennium Hall.
Dr Ali bin Masoud Al Sunaidi, Oman’s minister of commerce and industry, in addition to officials from related government bodies will be attending the event. The participating firms represent various industries including natural resources, minerals, wood products, manufacturing products, furniture, food, medical and pharmaceuticals, fertilisers, plastic and metal equipment, perfume, leather, and logistics.
Prior to the event, Fahmy Al Hinai, honorary consul of Ethiopia in Oman and vice-chairman of Opex Organising Committee said that preparations are in full swing at the Millennium Hall to showcase the Omani products in an exceptional way that goes in line with this significant event.
“On the first day of the event, speeches will be delivered by Dr Ali bin Masoud Al Sunaidi, minister of commerce and industry; Yakob Yala, Ethiopian minister of state for trade; and Solomon Afework, president of Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations (ECCSA). The event will also witness business to business meetings between Omani companies and their Ethiopian counterparts, with partnerships signed between these companies," Al Hinai said.
Ethiopia’s capital was selected to be this year’s destination of Opex due to its promising and stimulating market where significant opportunities are available for the investors. Opex 2016 signifies a key step forward to promote Omani products in the African continent.
OPEX Organising Committee, which comprises Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (PEIE), Public Authority for Investment Promotion and Export Development (Ithraa), and Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), aspires to witness positive outcomes from this exhibition through playing a pivotal role in stimulating trade exchange between the Sultanate and Ethiopia, which shall develop and expand trade activities of the local companies to the various markets worldwide.
It should be noted that trade cooperation between the Sultanate and Ethiopia has witnessed a remarkable growth during the past few years, as the total volume of trade exchange between the two countries rose from $2.6 million in 2004 to $24.5 million in 2014.
Besides, Omani investors have received licenses for three projects in Ethiopia between 1992 and 2014 with a capital of $3.2 million. Omani investors have also partnered with a number of Ethiopian and Sudanese investors with a capital of $840,000. A number of Omani companies are active in Africa in various industries including food, energy, infrastructure, tourism, agriculture and manufacturing industries.