BUSINESS REPORTER
MUSCAT, OCT 9
The successful conclusion of the Omani Coastal Women Development Programme (Meena), initiated to support coastal women within small-scale invertebrate fisheries in the Sultanate of Oman, was marked at a grand event held under the patronage of Dr Saud bin Hamoud al Habsi, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Water Resources, on Monday, October 9, 2023.
Organised by The Zubair Enterprises Development Centre (Zubair EDC), in cooperation with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), it was also attended by Al Zubair bin Muhammed Al Zubair, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of The Zubair Corporation, and several dignitaries as well as executives from the Ministry, FAO, and representatives of the Corporation.
Since its inception in 2021, the Omani Coastal Women Development Programme, aims to empower an SME started by a group of women in the fisheries sector. Since initiation, the focus was to provide support while improving local manufactured products, improving their reach within the local and regional markets. Managed by engineers Farha al Kindi and Muzna al Hatmy, the project is based in the Wilayat of Mussanah and has sales outlets across Oman. During the event finale, the ‘Meena’ products were unveiled. This brand refresh essentially elevated the look and feel of the well-made fisheries products.
The Omani Coastal Women Development Programme has provided unique opportunities for many women to develop their skills and enhance their organisational and technical capabilities. This in turn has improved their access to resources, technology, and economic opportunities, and will greatly impact the industry where small-scale fisheries make up over 90% of the production on the Omani coast.
Ali Shaker, Head of the Business Development and Partnerships Sector at Zubair EDC, said, “The conclusion of the Omani Coastal Women Development Programme in small-scale invertebrate fisheries represents an important achievement in the journey of empowering coastal women in the Sultanate, as this comes within the framework of the Zubair EDC’s strategy to support Small and Micro Enterprises in order to achieve sustainable development as well as economic and social progress.”
This programme reflects joint efforts and fruitful cooperation between FAO and the Zubair EDC to further sustainable development in the field of food security as well as economically empower the coastal women.
Speaking on the occasion, Hasna Mohammed al Harthy, Assistant Representative of the FAO in Oman, said, “Omani women in coastal communities are a significant part of the fisheries sector, specifically for post-harvest activities, as these activities are considered an essential part of their livelihood. These include general management, handling, processing, marketing, shellfish collection, as well as net repairing.”
Eng Farha al Kindi, Director of the Masara Sea Project said, “We would like to start by thanking FAO and the Zubair EDC for their invaluable support in putting our small business on the right track for success. Our initiative forms an economic, communal, and cultural bond between individuals and institutions, all working towards enhancing the field of fish manufacturing and production in Oman.”
The current participants of Meena include the Omani Women’s Association in Sidab as well as in Seeb, in addition to Bahr Al-Masra and Lawamis and includes fish and fish products manufactured and processed with the highest standards. The basic Meena products include dried fish, salted fish, and dried fish. In addition to this, innovative products have been developed such as squid and fish pickles, ready-to-eat meals, sauces, fish-based snacks, as well as fish and shrimp stock.
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