Yemeni bizmen seek to invest in cooking oil, FMCGs
Businessmen from Oman and Yemen discussed exchange of trade between two neighbouring countries and sought to reap maximum benefits from available resources in both the countries and create a win-win situation for both.
The businessmen from both the countries gathered in Hilton Salalah Resort on Wednesday under the banner of Second Omani-Yemeni Investment facilitation Forum organised by the Salalah chapter of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI).
The two-day forum opened under the auspices of Sayyid Mohammed bin Sultan bin Hamoud al Busaidy, Minister of State and Governor of Dhofar. Present on the occasion were representatives from business houses, government establishments like Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (PEIE), Al Raffd Fund, Salalah Free Zone and Port of Salalah.
In his comments to Oman Observer Al Busaidy congratulated both Omani and Yemeni business stakeholders and said, “We welcome our Yemeni brothers to do business in Oman, either in Salalah or any other location of their choice. This is beneficial for them and us as well. We are trying to make things easier for them to invest in Oman.”
Shawki Ahmed Hayel Saeed, leader of the business delegation found Salalah’s strategic location prime reason for considering investment here. “It was my long cherished dream to come to Salalah and I am here. I wish to continue my engagement with Salalah due to its location, infrastructure the most important, its geographic closeness to Yemen.”
“With current situation in Yemen, we want to move our investment in the neighbouring countries and in Oman Salalah is the best suited to us. It is an emerging and vibrant investment destination from where we can make a supply chain to the African Horn countries and whole countries,” he said
“The idea is to set up manufacturing units in Salalah and use its strategic location. By being very close to Yemen we can bring Yemeni goods and then supply them to many places. We have good quality vegetable oil and all kinds of fast moving consumable goods (FMCGs). We are already in Saudi Arabia and hoping to be in Oman very soon,” said Saeed.
Ahmed M Jumman, General Manager of Jummaan Trading and Investment Company, said the 70-member delegation is very happy to visit Salalah and to explore investment opportunities. “It has impressive airport and port. Road infrastructure is well laid. It is within our reach to investment and benefit from each other’s resources,” he said.
Prof Saeed A of GCC Banimoon, Consultant in marine fisheries and marine resources, said the sole purpose of the visit was to investigate and find right investment projects.
Abdullah bin Salim Mahad al Rawas, Head of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) in Dhofar Governorate, welcomed the Yemeni trade delegation and exhorted them to invest in Oman and get maximum benefit from the strategic geographical location of both the countries.
“We are willing to achieve a breakthrough of productivity in all sectors through optimum utilisation of our unique geographical location and work to encourage domestic and foreign investment for productive projects of public interest that provide more job opportunities for citizens and give a boost to the national economy,” he said.