Muscat – As many as 40 Omani SMEs are participating in a campaign for the sale of local grown dates and date products at Oman Avenues Mall running from October 22 to 31.

The products, ranging from a variety of dates and their derivatives including sweets, paste and juice, are on display at the stalls.

Hadia al Balushi, director of Marketing and Agricultural Industries Department in the Ministry of Agricultural, Fisheries and Water Resources, said, “The outlets aim to find and expand marketing opportunities for SMEs and increase their income.”

According the ministry’s plan, the 40 participants have been divided into two lots. “Twenty participants present their products in five-day rotations to avoid overcrowding and maintain social distancing in light of the precautionary measures to combat COVID-19,” Hadia said.

Adela Ahmed Sultan, one of the participants, said, “These events are an opportunity to market our date products. They give customers access to our products and help them get acquainted with our industry. Residents of different nationalities prefer Al Fard dates.”

Asaad al Mahdi, another participant, said, “The industry of dates and date derivatives is continuously developing. Marketing activities are one of the main reasons for its continuous development. These marketing outlets are very important to get to know the products of other producers of date products and to benefit from their practical experiences.”

Batoul, an Indian resident visiting the dates marketing event at Oman Avenues Mall, said, “I look forward to these events. I make sure to buy from these every year because of the quality of products available.”

Al Zeer al Siyabi, another visitor, said, “This outlet for dates has saved me time. I can find high-quality dates – also a wide variety – at one place.”

Describing the prices as ‘good’, he added that he hoped such campaigns will not just continue but spread to all parts of the sultanate to support farmers and also make good quality products available to customers.