-NewsDesk(cbedit@imaws.org)
The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Muscat made its presence felt at the prestigious Food and Hospitality Oman (FHO) 2023, held from September 18 to 20, 2023, at the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre (OCEC) in Muscat. The Sri Lankan Embassy’s active participation in the event was a testament to the nation’s commitment to showcasing its rich culinary offerings, promoting trade, and fostering tourism.
At the exhibition booth, the Embassy displayed an enticing array of Sri Lankan food products, ranging from delectable bakery items and aromatic spices to premium rice and the world-renowned Ceylon tea. This culinary showcase was complemented by a presence of Sri Lankan business entities in Oman, with a collective aim to introduce the Oman market to the flavors and hospitality of Sri Lanka.
Several Sri Lankan companies, both local and international, participated in this vibrant event. Among the prominent exhibitors were Akbar Tea, Bread Box, Quality Food Products, and Fly Sri Lanka, all of which collaborated with the embassy to enhance Sri Lanka’s footprint at FHO 2023. The Sri Lankan-owned Al Falaj Hotel, a part of Aitken Spence, and Sri Lanka-based food exporter Jaya Farm also joined the fray. Aitken Spence, in particular, showcased its renowned Stassen Tea brand, further accentuating Sri Lanka’s tea heritage.
In a bid to share insights and promote Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, the embassy arranged for two distinguished Sri Lankan speakers to participate in the FHO Knowledge Hub platform. Nadeesha Hemachandra, Head of Tour Operations at Seylanya Holdings, spoke on Oman Vision 2040 and Sustainable Tours & Hospitality strategies, emphasizing the future of tourism in Oman. Hafeez Marikkar, Unit Head/Mala’a Senior Management Level 2 Banker at the Bank Dhofar in Oman, presented innovative food and hospitality strategies, drawing from the Blue Ocean Strategy framework.
Food and Hospitality Oman (FHO) stands as the largest international business event for the food and hospitality sector in Oman. The event, held under the patronage of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Wealth & Water Resources, aimed to highlight the opportunities in the food and hospitality industry, showcase developments, facilitate trade, and foster discussions on market growth and challenges.
FHO 2023 garnered significant attention, attracting over 6,000 local and international visitors, and featured more than 150 exhibitors representing various countries, including Sri Lanka, Pakistan, India, China, South Korea, Iran, Poland, Turkey, Malaysia, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bangladesh, and Belgium.
Participation in the FHO Expo offered an invaluable platform for networking, forging new business relationships, and exploring fresh revenue streams, reaffirming Sri Lanka’s commitment to culinary excellence and tourism promotion on the global stage.
