Muscat – The exhibition, which will run until October 26, aims to showcase dates and honey products, expand trade prospects in the field and introduce participating countries and exhibitors to the quality of dates and honey products in the Sultanate of Oman.

Inaugurated under the patronage of H.E. Dr. Saud bin Hamoud Al Habsi, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, the exhibition features participants from more than 35 countries, in addition to 167 local companies and 71 international companies involved in honey and dates production as well as packaging and food manufacturing companies.

The exhibition showcases the latest developments in modern technology applications used in the field of dates and honey, including products, innovations, and quality systems at the level of industrial and commercial institutions and companies, and reviews the latest technological developments in the dates and honey industry and increases investment in the field of dates and honey.

It aims to enhance communication and understanding between the Gulf States and the Arab world to strengthen international relations, introduce visitors and participants to new products and the latest developments in the date and honey industry, develop production mechanisms and benefit from global expertise, in addition to enhancing the agricultural sector and increasing awareness of its importance and impact on the local economy.

Speaking at the opening, Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Habib, Executive Director of the International Date Council, commended the Sultanate of Oman as one of the founding countries of the International Date Council.
“The International Dates Council supports the establishment of such exhibitions to market dates to the private sector,” he stated, indicating that the Council’s participation in the exhibition features a pavilion that includes a number of producing countries, namely: Palestine, Jordan, Sudan and Egypt.

He stated that there is interest in the Arab region in the health benefits of dates as a fruit; the FAO has recognized that dates are exceptional fruits and that 2027 will be the International Year of Dates.

For his part, Saed bin Abdullah Al Kharousi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Omani Agricultural Association, Al Batinah Branch, explained that the exhibition is aimed at provided added value to Omani dates by manufacturing them in various and modern ways.

He added that the exhibition is an opportunity to exchange expertise, knowledge and experiences between the participating countries in this field, which contributes to developing solutions and overcoming the challenges and obstacles facing this field, and the diseases that may affect palm trees.