Behar, an integrated electronic platform that hosts wholesale auctions and retail sale of fish, registered sales worth more RO2mn while selling 2,826 tonnes of fish since its launch on March 28, 2020. 

The COVID-19 pandemic spawned a multitude of online platforms and hastened the growth of e-commerce in the sultanate. Behar was one of the first e-platforms to be selected by Oman Technology Fund (OTF), a specialised government-backed fund that invests in IT and innovative startups, for funding support from an endowment of RO1mn earmarked for Omani entrepreneurial initiatives.

Speaking to Muscat Daily, Mohammed Mansoor al Housseini, founding partner of Behar, said, “Since we started the platform, over 170 businesses engaged in the fisheries sector have registered with us, in addition to 310 merchants. 

“More than 40,000 have visited Behar in one year.”

He informed that the platform allows individual consumers to view what is on offer in their neighbourhood fish stores, or select fish for the price and the quantity they want online, and also request delivery of the items purchased at their doorstep. The platform also serves as a window for international companies to purchase local fish. 

“We have exported to several countries, including Egypt, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia, and are currently looking at new markets abroad,” Housseini said. 

“I urge young Omani men to start their own projects and not fear failure. They must believe in their ideas. I thank the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources for supporting Behar and solving the problems which we faced.” 

Behar is currently looking to expand operations to the central fish markets in several wilayats, including Khasab and Dibba. “We call on all Omani fishermen to register on our platform to take advantage of it to promote their catch and also limit the spread of COVID-19,” Housseini said.