Event management firms welcome new regulation

MUSCAT: Owners of a number of event management companies welcomed the new regulation for organising and managing events. They affirmed that conferences and exhibitions are among the most important economic, social and cultural tools that attract economic and tourism investments.

Awadh bin Said al Alawi, Director of Commercial Affairs Department at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, said that the commercial exhibitions are among the best tools to meet customers, display products and services, ink deals and get commercial agencies. They are also vital in transfer of technology and best practices. They help in enhancing understanding, dialogue among states, cultures and civilisations. They also play a role in promoting national products, industries and crafts.

Al Alawi added that the exhibition sector in all countries aims at marketing local products, creating partnership for companies and attracting investors. The sector is not limited to consumer exhibitions, but includes other specialised exhibitions as well. He noted that the Sultanate plans to attract regional and international exhibitions to attract local and foreign investors to event management business in the Sultanate. He noted that the regulation will also create job opportunities for Omanis, support the SMEs, entrepreneurs and Omani producing families as the regulation makes it mandatory for the event management companies to create job opportunities for Omanis.