MUSCAT – The event aimed to encourage investment in industrial cities by providing accurate data and strategic insights that support informed decision-making and enhance regional competitiveness.
Khalid bin Sulaiman Al-Salhi, Director General of Marketing and Commercial Affairs at Madayn, noted that the symposium was designed to help stakeholders in the consumer goods sector, particularly in food and beverages, gain a deeper understanding of consumer needs, improve production efficiency, expand their presence in local and international markets, and exchange ideas that foster economic and industrial growth.

He highlighted that Madayn currently hosts around 100 food industry projects, with total investments exceeding RO 164 million. These projects cover more than 1.5 million square meters and provide over 3,600 job opportunities.

Ugur Karci, Director of Customer Success at NielsenIQ for the Gulf region, emphasized that brands demonstrating transparency and social responsibility earn greater consumer trust. He pointed out that 71 percent of consumers are willing to pay more for quality, while 84 percent closely monitor prices, underscoring the importance of balancing value and quality in products.

Karci also noted that the consumer goods market in Oman experienced a slight decline in the first half of the year, with a 2.1 percent drop in value and 1.9 percent decline in volume. However, he observed growing performance among local brands, especially in beverages and snacks, in contrast to a decline among major international companies.

The symposium included a discussion session that reviewed a number of topics, most notably: the future of the Omani market through a comprehensive analysis of consumer trends; promising opportunities for the public and private sectors to enhance economic growth and build a more flexible and sustainable business system; highlighting the evolution of consumer behaviour in the Sultanate of Oman and the region; and new trends in the retail, industrial, and technology sectors.