On 15 March 2022, Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS) delegation within an official visit to Oman had a meeting with the CEO of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), Dr. Al Fadhal Abbas Al Hinai.
Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry founded in 1973, represents a private institution of public benefit to support the interest of private entrepreneurs. The key objectives of the OCCI are to aid and stimulate investment, development of trade, agriculture, and other priority sectors of the economy. The OCCI Chairman discussed opportunities for business cooperation between IOFS and OCCI through trade exports and investments to diversify the portfolio of assets suitable for OIC markets.
IOFS Director General presented Afghanistan Food Security Programme, “2022 IOFS Year of Africa” implementation plan along with brief overview of IFPA and warmly welcomed Omani food exporters and businesses to join IFPA to implement activities and projects in supporting agri-food trade and investors via the OCCI, considering the Omani market has a potentially huge pipeline of agri-exporters and investment projects.
Further meeting was held with the CEO of Oman Flour Mills, Mr. Haitham Mohamed Al Fannah. Parties after discussing IOFS activities in Food Crisis Response and humanitarian initiatives, focused on reviewing of humanitarian assistance to stabilize food insecurity situation in Afghanistan. In this regard, significance of creating a Grain HUB in Oman considering an advantage of a geographical location and OFM’s vital importance in boosting humanitarian aid to neighboring member countries, including Afghanistan were emphasized.
The final meeting was conducted with CEO of Oman Food Investment Holding Company (OFIC), Mr.Saleh Al Shanfary. CEO noted that OFIC as a state-owned-enterprise owned by Oman Investment Authority and mandated to promote Oman’s food security, through partnerships with government agencies, private operators and by investing in domestic and international food projects in partnership with food companies, investors and other stakeholders. Parties discussed expansion of cooperation through joining to IFPA to promote all relevant agri-food projects of Oman to the OIC member states and foster profitability of enterprises as well as expansion of cooperation between businesses and food companies.
