It was a unique blend of cultures, one that allow for education and information to be exchanged at the most convenient location to its target market’s location. About 20 entrepreneurs took part in an Omani Night, a joint initiative of Riyada and Hawana Salalah to give a platform to SMEs (small and medium enterprises).
Omani entrepreneurs were seen explaining their products to European tourists, while these guests were having a glimpse of Omani culture in the courtyard of their accommodation through various stalls put up by the entrepreneurs.
Participating entrepreneurs were very happy to have taken part on the event and the tourists were happier to see the great Omani culture, their way of life and even different kinds cuisine made mainly by the Omani women.
Abdulhakim Amer al Hadhri, Administrative Affairs Researcher and Abubakar Alwi Baomar, Shura Concil Represantive from Dhalkot, inspected the Omani Night stalls and expressed happiness over the idea of offering a platform for the SMEs
Hana al Mashani, owner of Ice Rose, was very happy over the platform which according to her, “was an opportunity for the entrepreneurs to showcase their products not only to the Omani audience, but also to the audience which is coming to Salalah as tourists from many European countries. This is an opportunity to know their requirements and help us design products which are saleable.”
Mainly a designer, Hena experimented with a food outlet in Saada.
“I am happy with my enterprise as just in one year I am able to establish in market and having very good demand for my products which include Italian food and ice cream,” she shared.
A business graduate from Dhofar University, Hena is successfully running her design enterprise for the last five years with a brand name called Rose Gallery.
Honey Store representative Fahad al Hashmi had variety of honey ranging from RO 15 to RO 100 at his stall. Honey Store, according to Fahad is an established name in Oman since 2001 with its branches located in Salalah, Mawaleh, Ibra and Souk al Horra at airports.
“Manny European tourists visited our stall and purchased pure honey. Some of them were surprised to see our white honey and Sidr Butwaik priced at RO 24 and RO 100 per Kg,” he said.
Amina is a shy but successful entrepreneur who owns a shop at Salalah Handicraft Centre near fish market. She has a range of products produced from her ‘home factory’ which includes different kinds of incense, perfumes, and cosmetics. She hesitated in telling monthly transaction of her enterprise, which she is running for the last ten years, but sounded fully satisfied with her work.
She admitted that the Omani Night was an opportunity for her to meet with new customers and a very good marketing exposure for her products.
Fatma al Mashani of Taqah graduated in IT from Salalah Colege of Applied Science. But her love for books made her a book collector and finally an online book shop owner. She started pursuing her hobby with a meager RO 30. Today she sells 50-60 books per month online with the biggest advantage of “reading four to five novels” every month.
When asked what advantage she was getting out of her participation in the Omani Night where most of the stalls were dealing in food and beverages and entertainment, Fatma said, “I am also having good enquiry from the visitors. Among these buyers of food, beverages and entertainment products are book lovers also. They do not come here to buy books, but get a pleasant surprise after finding a book stall.”
The stalls of face painting, photography and paper handicrafts evoked good response, as children were seen waiting for their turn to get their faces painted and were happy to get free copies of own photographs.
Kaushalendra Singh
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