Gearing up for National Day

KABEER YOUSUF
MUSCAT, NOV 16
Traditional souqs as well as the downtown shopping centres are in an upbeat mood as the nation is gearing up to celebrate its National Day. One of Oman's oldest traditional souqs, the Muttrah Souq, is all set to celebrate the National Day in colour and gaiety and a wide range of products in the national colours is on display across the breadth and width of the huge market frequented by citizens, expatriates and tourists.
Shawls, T-shirts, children's clothing, badges, banners, and flags of various sizes, and many other items, emblazoned with the images of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and the late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, are displayed in the shops.
'Vendors in the souq have brought many products to the market, mostly from China and are flooded with many products that delight the eyes and minds of those who come to celebrate the National Day of Oman,' one of the shopkeepers in Muttrah said.
Additionally, they said that there is a good demand for gold-coloured daggers, the national symbol of Oman, just as the tricolour flags of various sizes are fluttering.
Bracelets designed by a local artist that can be used by both women and men are also trending in the market.
Retail traders say that the seasonal demand in the market has not arrived yet, as the general recession has severely affected the retail market generally. They are hopeful that there will be some movement in the market as the National Day celebrations are approaching.
The Ministry of Finance has earlier issued a notification that special permission must be obtained to sell national symbols in order to ensure authenticity and ingenuity.