
Omani-Bahraini Bazaar exhibition opens in Muscat
Held in alignment with 'Oman Vision 2040' and 'Bahrain Vision 2030', the exhibition aims to enhance the role of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in economic growth. Featuring 30 exhibitors, including 17 Omanis and 13 Bahrainis, the event offers a diverse range of products such as fashion, perfumes, incense, Omani frankincense, traditional sweets, accessories, handicrafts, heritage items and household supplies.
Running until March 26, the exhibition seeks to strengthen historical ties between Oman and Bahrain, support entrepreneurs, create new investment opportunities and increase bilateral trade.
Dr Juma bin Ahmed al Kaabi, Ambassador of Bahrain to Oman, highlighted that this exhibition reflects the strong economic and diplomatic relations between the two nations. He emphasised the government's commitment to supporting entrepreneurs, fostering business growth and enhancing their contribution to GDP.
Echoing these sentiments, Radina al Hajri, Chairwoman of the Omani-Bahraini Friendship Association, stressed that the exhibition is a key initiative of the Association, reinforcing economic cooperation and providing a platform for SME owners. She noted that this is the fourth edition of the event, following the success of the January 2025 exhibition in Manama.
Looking ahead, Al Hajri announced a series of upcoming exhibitions, seminars and conferences aimed at fostering deeper economic and cultural exchanges between Oman and Bahrain.
The event was attended by senior officials, diplomats and media representatives, reaffirming the commitment to strengthening bilateral trade and entrepreneurial collaboration. - ONA
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Times of Oman
22 minutes ago
- Times of Oman
Maseer and bp Oman Empower Omani Youth Through 'Discover Yourself' Program
Muscat: In partnership with bp Oman, Maseer concluded the first edition of its 'Discover Yourself' youth development programme which was held in the mountains of Jabal Al-Akhdar. The initiative gathered over 100 young Omanis from diverse backgrounds to engage in a transformative journey of self-reflection, leadership, and experiential learning. The programme represented a wide cross-section of Oman's youth, from university students to job seekers, with a focus on engaging individuals from certain governorates such as Ad Dhahirah and Musandam, with 107 total participants, in which approximately 50% were job seekers. 'Discover Yourself' was designed to strengthen essential life and career skills such as teamwork, communication, leadership, and critical thinking, all within an immersive natural setting. Over the course of the programme, each participant rotated through various roles in group activities, and introduced them to health, safety, and environmental principles (HSE), reinforcing the value of responsible decision-making in real-world settings. Mohammed Al-Rawahi, CEO of Maseer, remarked: 'The programme 'Discover Yourself' which was designed for jobseekers, sponsored by bp Oman, was an experience filled with challenges for us at Maseer in terms of preparation, implementation and reaching to the targeted audience. However, despite the challenges, we were able to achieve great results, overcoming the expectations whereby the engagement with the programme was huge and inspiring.' Ibrahim Al Hinai, Social investment manager at bp Oman, Kuwait, and Qatar, added, 'As Oman continues its march toward Vision 2040, initiatives like this stand as crucial platforms for youth empowerment, environmental stewardship, and national development. This programme supported many jobseekers and students in discovering their hidden strengths, building their confidence and skills, and realigning their goals and future pathways.'


Muscat Daily
13 hours ago
- Muscat Daily
Salalah Free Zone secures RO187mn in H1 2025
Salalah – Salalah Free Zone (SFZ), part of Asyad Group, has attracted six new projects in the first half of 2025 with a combined investment value exceeding RO187mn. The additions bring total cumulative investments in the zone to RO4.9bn since the start of commercial operations. SFZ reported high occupancy rates, with 51% of leasable land and 87% of warehouses currently in use, reflecting steady demand for its infrastructure and services. In the same period, seven strategic projects worth more than RO80mn entered pilot operation or construction phases. SFZ stated the developments highlight strong investor confidence, supported by its location at the crossroads of three continents, modern infrastructure, and integration with Salalah Port and Salalah Airport. 'The indicators achieved in the first half of 2025 reaffirm growing investor confidence in our integrated environment,' said Dr Ali bin Mohammed Tabuk, CEO of SFZ. 'We are focused on attracting projects that leverage our infrastructure, incentives and Asyad Group's logistics solutions, while contributing to economic diversification and sustainable development in line with Oman Vision 2040.' The zone's success is a testament to its strategic advantages, including a suite of investor-centric incentives, SFZ stated. 'Furthermore, its seamless integration with Salalah Port and Salalah Airport provides direct global connectivity, consolidating its role as a leading industrial and logistics hub that advances the objectives of Oman Vision 2040.'


Muscat Daily
14 hours ago
- Muscat Daily
ROP amends validity, fees for Omani ID and expat resident cards
Muscat – Royal Oman Police (ROP) has issued Decision No 78/2025 amending provisions of the Executive Regulation of the Civil Status Law, extending the validity period and revising fees for personal identity cards of Omani citizens and resident cards for expatriates. Under the new rules, personal identity cards for Omanis will now be valid for ten years from the date of issue or renewal, as opposed to five years earlier. Issuing, renewing or replacing a lost or damaged card will cost RO10. Resident cards of expatriates will be valid for a maximum of three years. The fee for issuing or renewing a resident card of one-year validity is RO5, RO10 for two years and RO15 for three years. Replacement of a lost or stolen resident card will cost RO20. Issued by Lt Gen Hassan bin Mohsen al Shuraiqi, Inspector General of Police and Customs, the amendments replace Article 21 of the regulation. The changes were made in line with the Civil Status Law (Royal Decree No 99/66), its Executive Regulation (Decision No 40/2007), with approval of Ministry of Finance. The decision was published in Official Gazette Issue 1608 and takes effect from August 7, 2025. The move was welcomed by citizens and residents. 'Royal Oman Police is one of the most active government agencies in terms of innovation and development, especially in the services it provides, which are easy to access and quick to complete through advanced systems. Thank you,' Abdullah al Wahaibi posted on X. Hamad al Awisi, also on X, commented, 'We thank the Lt Gen for this step that facilitates citizens and reduces renewal procedures. However, over time, the card remains vulnerable to damage or loss, especially with daily use. Since the fee for issuing a replacement for a lost or damaged card is the same as the renewal fee, it may be worth reviewing in the future.' Ramesh Iyer, an Indian expatriate in Salalah, said, 'Earlier, we had to renew our resident cards every two years, which meant more paperwork and time off work. With the option of a three-year validity, we save both time and money. For families with schoolchildren, it reduces the stress of renewals every two years.' Salim Akthar, a Pakistani resident in Muscat, added, 'Paying once for three years makes life easier and more organised. It's also helpful for frequent travellers as it eliminates the risk of expiry while abroad. The flexibility shows ROP is considering residents' needs.'