In cities around the world, farmers’ markets are known as place where one can not only buy fresh, local produce, but also a place to find other handcrafted, locally made goods, and to try a taste of fabulous dishes from around the world, made right there in the city.
Meaning “Saturday Market” in English, Souq es Sabt was founded by Omani entrepreneur Sara al Asfoor after experiencing farmer’s markets on a holiday in Europe. This experience led her to start making homemade pesto and crackers with her children from her home, which then expanded into setting up several stalls in a local park. Within 3 years the market expanded into incubating more than 50 entrepreneurs on average per year. The event provides a great platform to empower aspiring entrepreneurs, promote their products and help them take their novel businesses to the next level.
Amal al Habsi, owner of Bubbles shop said “We would like to thank Shell Intilaaqah for their continuous support of our business to grow. Souq es Sabt has been a unique opportunity for us to promote our products, hone our customer interaction skillsets and widen our customer base.”
The market is a fun event for families and friends of all ages to experience, as well as being an important platform for Muscat’s small businesses and local talent to develop their experience and offering to ever increasing numbers of visitors to Oman each year.
With entrepreneurs proving to be a catalyst for a vibrant, bustling, and abundant new economy in Oman, Shell Intilaaqah sponsored four of its alumni to take part in Souq es Sabt, Oman’s first farmers’ market, that was being held at The Walk in Almouj Muscat every Saturday from November 2018 to December 2018. With a multitude of farmers, florists, artists, and chefs pedallinag their wares, there is far too much to explore in one weekend, and plenty of reasons to keep coming back.
Titash Chakraborty
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
