US ambassador visits 3rd Street Donuts

MUSCAT: US Ambassador to Oman Marc J. Sievers visited 3rd Street Donuts to mark its official opening as part of the “Discover America Festival” in Oman and also to celebrate a success story of the US-Oman Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on October 8.

The café is owned and operated by Omani entrepreneur Mundhir Al Alawi, who explained how he fell in love with American donuts during his studies in Los Angeles, California.

During a short tour of the baking facilities in the store kitchen, Al Alawi pointed out bags of US flour and other ingredients that are imported duty free under the FTA. In appreciation for the visit, Al Alawi presented the Ambassador with a painting of the “Discover America Festival” logo by Omani artist Anoud Al Sheyadi.

Ambassador Sievers and Al Alawi posed for photos inside the store, which was decorated with American flags, and in front of a display counter full of glazed donuts with American colours.

During his welcome remarks for the Ambassador, Al Alawi shared the story behind 3rd Street Donuts. Al Alawi noted a lack of quality donuts in Oman when he came back from the US several years ago, which led him to think why Omanis cannot have donuts that are soft, fluffy and moist, like the ones he enjoyed in the US.

In addition to thanking Ambassador Sievers for participating in the official launch of his store, Al Alawi said: “I’m very thankful for discovering the US-Oman Free Trade Agreement, which allo s me to import US flour and other ingredients that ensure the same quality, freshness, and taste of the donuts I love in Los Angeles.”

Ambassador Sievers remarked: “I’m happy to see a real-life case of an Omani entrepreneur who has utilized the FTA and is building a stronger bond between our two great countries. Al Alawi’s story is a great example of the Oman-US people-to-people and business ties that the “Discover America Festival” is all about.”

3rdStreet Donuts is a small business venture in collaboration with a local American donut bakery in Los Angeles, California. The newly-opened store relies on American flour and other ingredients to ensure soft and fluffy donuts. The café specializes in fresh and made-to-order donuts. The toppings and fillings in the donuts are unique to the Omani market.

3rd Street Donut is located in Seeb, behind Sultan School.

The “Discover America Festival”, organised by the Oman American Business Center (OABC) in cooperation with the US Embassy, includes a variety of events and promotions to promote US products, almost all of which enter duty free under the FTA.