Souq Al Wathbah witnesses vibrant trade

This year’s edition of Al Wathbah Ramadan Souq, organised by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority and Bank Muscat, witnessed a significant influx of visitors taking advantage of the competitive prices on the products such as clothing, food, perfumes and other products.

Organised from March 28-30, at the Bank Muscat head office, Airport Heights, the Souq saw a participation of more than 150 entrepreneurs and owners of start-up and small enterprises. This year edition of Souq Al Wathbah was inaugurated in the presence of Ilham Murtadha al Hamaid, general manager - Corporate Banking, Bank Muscat, and a number of officials from both institutions, invitees and visitors, a press release said.

The three-day annual market comes within the framework of Bank Muscat's social corporate responsibility programmes and complements the ongoing partnership with the SME Development Authority to support this important sector. It represented an opportunity for entrepreneurs to promote their own products, allowing the visitors to shop from a wide range of purchases especially with Eid Al Fitr around the corner.

Ibrahim Khamis Salim al Bulushi, senior assistant general manager – SME, Bank Muscat, indicated the significance of the partnership between the private and government institutions to support the SMES, which represent an essential pillar of the national economy and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS).

He said: “Such initiatives play an important role in supporting SMES and start-ups. We are delighted about the Souq’s success shown in the big turnout and participation of the various businesses. I would like to extend thanks and gratitude to the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority for their support to this sector reflected in the annual programmes and initiatives. Bank Muscat will continue to adopt such initiatives aiming to enable entrepreneurs and SMES and provide them with the appropriate platform to promote their products, in light of this ever-growing sector.”