Sur – A one-day exhibition aimed at empowering rural women entrepreneurs and enhancing the marketability of their products was held on Tuesday in Al Kamil Wa Al Wafi, bringing together 21 women from across South Sharqiyah.

The Empowerment and Evaluation of Rural Women’s Products Exhibition was organised by the Directorate General of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources in South Sharqiyah, represented by the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, in cooperation with the Rural Development Department at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources.

The exhibition provided a platform for women-led rural enterprises to showcase a variety of locally produced food products, handicrafts and value-added items, while creating opportunities for marketing, networking and business development.

Officials said the exhibition was held with the objective of supporting the sustainability of rural women’s projects by helping participants access wider markets, diversify sources of income and improve the economic returns of their businesses. It also sought to enhance the competitiveness of rural products by promoting quality standards and food safety requirements.

The event encouraged innovation and product development, highlighting the growing role of rural women in creating value-added products and strengthening the market identity of local goods.

The exhibition reflected ongoing efforts to empower Omani women in rural communities and increase their contribution to economic and social development. Rural women’s projects have expanded significantly in recent years, particularly in food processing, honey production, date-based products and traditional handicrafts, helping transform home-based activities into sustainable small enterprises.