OCCI launches programme to promote craftsmanship
Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), in a collaborative effort with Majid al Futtaim Group and supported by Petroleum Development Oman, has unveiled an innovative programme designed to bolster small and medium enterprises (SMES) specialising in traditional crafts.
The launch of the programme's first site at City Centre Qurum, attended by H E Sheikh Nasr bin Amer al Hosani, Undersecretary for Labour in the Ministry of Labour, marked a significant step towards promoting Omani craftsmanship.
Spread over a 200sqm space in City Centre Qurum, the site acts as a focal point for SMES dedicated to the arts of perfumery, gypsum work, stoneware, palm frond weaving, woodworking, silversmithing and textiles. A total of 22 SMES are participating in this inaugural event, showcasing their expertise and products.
Faisal bin Abdullah al Rawas,
Chairman of OCCI, informed that the initiative's objective is to offer a platform for Omani craftsmen to display their products to a wider audience, including tourists, companies and government entities. He highlighted the growing popularity of handicrafts among tourists, citing their significance in representing Omani heritage.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Amer al Maslahi, Chairman of OCCI’S Small and Medium Enterprises Committee, reaffirmed the chamber's dedication to supporting crafts industries.
He emphasised the cultural importance of these crafts, their role in strengthening social bonds and their contribution to the livelihood of many Omanis. "This initiative is not just about showcasing Omani crafts; it's about promoting them and creating sustainable marketing channels."
Maslahi informed that there are more plans in the pipeline aimed at supporting SMES across various sectors.
According to the National Centre for Statistics and Information, Oman's crafts sector is flourishing, with over 23,000 craftsmen registered at the end of 2021.
The programme’s objective is to offer a platform for Omani craftsmen to display their products to a wider audience, including tourists, companies and government entities FAISAL BIN ABDULLAH AL RAWAS