Muscat: The Al Wathba Ramadan souq, organized by Bank Muscat in collaboration with the SMEs Development Authority, witnessed strong visitor turnout during its recent three-day run at the Bank’s Head Office in Airport Heights, Muscat. The souq was held in a distinctive Ramadhan atmosphere, brouging together a group of entrepreneurs and home-based business owners. This year’s edition underscores Bank Muscat’s leading role in community service and its ongoing commitment to fostering entrepreneurship.
The souq provided participating entrepreneurs with a spacious platform to showcase a diverse range of innovative, high-quality products, strengthening their brand visibility. Visitors explored a wide range of locally-produced goods, including fashion and apparel, health and beauty products, accessories, food items, perfumes, as well as a variety of essentials for Eid Al Fitr. This diversity attracted large numbers of visitors eager to shop for their needs in preparation for Eid Al-Fitr. For the first time, this year’s edition also featured dedicated entertainment activities and programmes for kids and families, allowing all to enjoy a well-rounded experience that combined shopping and leisure.
On this occasion, Ibrahim Khamis Al Balushi, Senior Assistant General Manager of SME at Bank Muscat, noted that the continued annual organization of the Al Wathba Ramadan Souq reflects the Bank’s approach to supporting entrepreneurs and home-based businesses, saying: “The success of this year’s edition, in terms of participation and visitor turnout, demonstrates the importance of such initiatives in empowering entrepreneurs and expanding their opportunities. The souq goes beyond being a commercial platform, serving as a space for strengthening community ties and promoting a culture of supporting Omani entrepreneurs. We would like to express our appreciation to the participating entrepreneurs, the SMEs Development Authority, and valued customers for their trust, support, and contribution to the event’s success.”
Several entrepreneurs shared their experiences participating in the initiative. Haifa Hussain Qamar, owner of Bukhouri project, noted that the souq provided her with the opportunity to reach new customer segments and present her products to a wider audience. She emphasized that Bank Muscat’s support through organizing the Al Wathba Ramadhan Souq directly helped in expanding her customer base, exploring new opportunities for collaboration with other business owners from the similar business activities.
Zainab Hashim Al Balushi, owner of a fashion business, highlighted that participation in this year’s edition enabled her to exchange expertise and build relationships with fellow business owners, as well as gain exposure to diverse experiences that enriched her professional journey. She commended the strong visitor turnout and praised the Bank’s consistent efforts in organizing and delivering a distinguished event that motivates participants to pursue continuous growth.
Omran Yousif Al Hoti, business owner of Omani Kashmiri, described his participation among a select group of Omani businesses as an inspiring experience, providing a valuable space for dialogue and the exchange of ideas with other business owners. He emphasized the importance of continuing such initiatives to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Sultanate of Oman.
From the visitors’ perspective, Mohammed Nasser Al Bahri remarked that the souq stood out for the diversity of its offerings and its ability to cater to various tastes. He also noted that the allocation of dedicated spaces for kids and families, which was introduced for the first time, added a new dimension to this year’s edition as a family gathering destination. He affirmed that the fact that all participating businesses are locally owned and managed by Omani entrepreneurs adds significant value to the souq and encourages public support, particularly as it provides a convenient shopping opportunity ahead of Eid Al Fitr.
Bank Muscat continues to implement programmes and initiatives aimed at supporting SMEs through strategic initiatives such as Al Wathba Academy, in addition to offering a comprehensive suite of banking and non-banking solutions. The Bank also reaffirms its commitment to empowering youth and contributing to the objectives of Oman Vision 2040 by strengthening public–private sector collaboration and supporting sustainable economic development pathways.
