Sunday 30 / June / 2024
Muscat: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) said that it has held 120 exhibitions between January and the end of December 2017. These included 71 shopping exhibitions, seven exhibitions accompanying festivals and forums, two cultural exhibitions, one exhibition of commercial centres, 14 specialised consumer exhibitions, three exhibitions of one state, one charity exhibition, and 21 exhibitions of local products.
The ministry gives importance to the exhibition sector as it is an important element in the future of the growth of the local economy and is essential for the transfer of information, spread of knowledge and professional practices, and strengthens the volume of trade between countries.
“Between January and February 2018, 48 exhibitions got approvals. These included 21 shopping exhibitions, three exhibitions accompanying festivals and forums, three cultural exhibitions, four exhibitions organised by malls and commercial complexes, six specialised consumer exhibitions, a one-state exhibition, three charity exhibitions and seven exhibitions of local products,” said Mona Bint Salem Al Balooshia, head of the Exhibitions Section at the Department of Trade Affairs in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
“The exhibition sector is the key for building understanding, relations and exchange of cultures with countries, as well as increasing tourism revenue. In addition to this, the exhibition sector contributes in attracting a lot of economic investments, which benefit the local economy,” she said.
The exhibitions and conferences sector generates lots of permanent and temporary jobs. Many countries calculate the output of this sector as their national product and analyse the benefits of government investment in this sector.
She pointed out that there was a strong relationship between the local economy and the exhibitions and conferences sector. They are integrated with each other as the sector helps in promotion of local industries, as well as strengthens channels of communication and raises the capabilities of workers in various economic sectors.
Specialised consumer exhibitions
Al Balooshia said that in the beginning of 2018, granting of permits for specialised consumer exhibitions started under an auction system, where several companies showed their interest. The companies, which were found meeting conditions to be able to organise such exhibitions were given permits.
She pointed out that the exhibitions of specialised consumer goods should not go on for more than 10 days or for less than three days. In all cases, the exhibitions should not be held 30 days before festivals. The authorities concerned would hold the auctions.
In all the consumer goods exhibitions, the organisers must allocate 10 per cent of their space for consumer goods of small and medium enterprises, entrepreneurs, craftsmen and home-based businesses, and should provide them with appropriate facilities.
One-country exhibitions
Al Balooshia said that one-country exhibitions might be organised only once a year, subject to the prior approval of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the embassy of the related country accredited in the Sultanate. The duration of the exhibition should not be more than seven days and not less than three days.
Exhibitions of national products and industries
Al Balooshia said that the regulations and management of the exhibitions have devoted a special chapter to the exhibitions of national products and industries. This exempts them from many rules, which apply to other exhibitions. However, the organisers should decide the nature of products to be displayed in the exhibitions, so the purpose of the exhibition is clear. At these exhibitions, non-Omani products are not allowed to be displayed.
