Madayn organises 'Oman’s Thriving Food Sector' event
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Published: 06:02 PM,Feb 18,2025 | EDITED : 10:02 PM,Feb 18,2025
The event included a discussion session featuring both Omani and international experts.— ONA
DUBAI: The Public Establishment for Industrial Estates “Madayn” organised an event highlighting the ‘Investment Opportunities and Key Enablers in Oman’s Thriving Food Sector’ on the sidelines of its participation in Gulfood 2025 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The event attracted a significant gathering of CEOs, investors, and industry leaders from the global food sector, providing a platform for insightful discussions and networking opportunities.
As part of the event, Madayn signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Agro Solution Korea Company Ltd. from South Korea to establish a specialised food industry project in the Sultanate of Oman. The project focuses on developing smart farms for Korean fruit production and launching a farm-based café. Concluding the event, Madayn honoured leading Omani companies and factories in the food sector in recognition of their role in driving growth, excellence and innovation.
Speaking at the event, Eng Dawood bin Salim al Hadabi, CEO of Madayn, said, “This gathering presents a gateway to enhance connections with existing partners while showcasing the investment incentives and services we offer to potential investors, as well as spotlighting the high-quality products and remarkable capabilities of Omani businesses participating in Gulfood 2025.” Al Hadabi added, “The food manufacturing sector is a cornerstone of economic growth and an essential part of daily life. To support its sustainability and growth, we have dedicated well-equipped spaces within our industrial cities as we continue to introduce strategic initiatives that encourage innovation and expansion. Today, Madayn is home to 85 food industry projects, representing a cumulative investment volume touching RO 150 million. These projects span over 1.3 million square metres and provide employment opportunities for more than 3,600 talented individuals.” He also pointed out that one of Madayn’s latest adding-value initiatives for the food sector is the ‘Green Madayn’ project, developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources in the Sultanate of Oman. “This initiative focuses on establishing greenhouses within a number of Madayn’s industrial cities to support Oman’s food sector, promote entrepreneurship, and enhance food security. ‘Green Madayn’ project is designed to empower local agricultural production and enhance trade balance through reducing import dependence and driving export growth,” Al Hadabi elaborated.
On his part, Khalid al Salehi, Director General of Marketing and Commercial Affairs at Madayn, highlighted Madayn’s commitment to developing world class business cities while preserving a distinct Omani identity. He emphasised that Madayn serves as a key government body, driving comprehensive and sustainable economic and social development through dynamic public-private partnerships. “By establishing and managing fully integrated business cities that are technologically advanced, highly responsive to market shifts, and environmentally sustainable, Madayn is dedicated to creating an ecosystem that meets the evolving needs of investors and industries,” Al Salehi added.
The event included a discussion session featuring both Omani and international experts, including Dr Masoud al Azri, Director General of Agricultural and Fisheries Marketing at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources; Dr Ayman al Fudhaili, CEO of the Industrial Innovation Academy; Eng Salem al Bartmany, CEO of Areej Vegetable Oils and Derivatives; and Suresh Vaidhyanathan, CEO of Ghassan Aboud Group in Dubai. The panel shed light on strategies to enhance food security, build resilience, and drive innovation for sustainable solutions.— ONA
As part of the event, Madayn signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Agro Solution Korea Company Ltd. from South Korea to establish a specialised food industry project in the Sultanate of Oman. The project focuses on developing smart farms for Korean fruit production and launching a farm-based café. Concluding the event, Madayn honoured leading Omani companies and factories in the food sector in recognition of their role in driving growth, excellence and innovation.
Speaking at the event, Eng Dawood bin Salim al Hadabi, CEO of Madayn, said, “This gathering presents a gateway to enhance connections with existing partners while showcasing the investment incentives and services we offer to potential investors, as well as spotlighting the high-quality products and remarkable capabilities of Omani businesses participating in Gulfood 2025.” Al Hadabi added, “The food manufacturing sector is a cornerstone of economic growth and an essential part of daily life. To support its sustainability and growth, we have dedicated well-equipped spaces within our industrial cities as we continue to introduce strategic initiatives that encourage innovation and expansion. Today, Madayn is home to 85 food industry projects, representing a cumulative investment volume touching RO 150 million. These projects span over 1.3 million square metres and provide employment opportunities for more than 3,600 talented individuals.” He also pointed out that one of Madayn’s latest adding-value initiatives for the food sector is the ‘Green Madayn’ project, developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources in the Sultanate of Oman. “This initiative focuses on establishing greenhouses within a number of Madayn’s industrial cities to support Oman’s food sector, promote entrepreneurship, and enhance food security. ‘Green Madayn’ project is designed to empower local agricultural production and enhance trade balance through reducing import dependence and driving export growth,” Al Hadabi elaborated.
On his part, Khalid al Salehi, Director General of Marketing and Commercial Affairs at Madayn, highlighted Madayn’s commitment to developing world class business cities while preserving a distinct Omani identity. He emphasised that Madayn serves as a key government body, driving comprehensive and sustainable economic and social development through dynamic public-private partnerships. “By establishing and managing fully integrated business cities that are technologically advanced, highly responsive to market shifts, and environmentally sustainable, Madayn is dedicated to creating an ecosystem that meets the evolving needs of investors and industries,” Al Salehi added.
The event included a discussion session featuring both Omani and international experts, including Dr Masoud al Azri, Director General of Agricultural and Fisheries Marketing at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources; Dr Ayman al Fudhaili, CEO of the Industrial Innovation Academy; Eng Salem al Bartmany, CEO of Areej Vegetable Oils and Derivatives; and Suresh Vaidhyanathan, CEO of Ghassan Aboud Group in Dubai. The panel shed light on strategies to enhance food security, build resilience, and drive innovation for sustainable solutions.— ONA