Pact signed to set up hub for agro-produce at Khazaen

The Agricultural Production and Marketing Company (Basateen), a subsidiary of the Oman Food Investment Holding Company (Nitaj), signed an agreement to establish a centre for the collection, storage and distribution of agricultural produce in Khazaen Economic City. The agreement was signed by Eng Salim bin Suleiman al Thuhli, CEO of Khazaen Economic City and Dr Tariq al Zadjali, Chairman of the Board of Directors in Basateen.

The signing of the agreement is in line with the company’s goal to set up operations within the Food City hub being established at Khazaen. It also affirms Basateen’s commitment to supporting Oman’s food security objectives.

As part of its investments in Khazaen, Basateen plans to develop a comprehensive and effective system for the collection, storage and marketing of agricultural produce covering all parts of the Sultanate of Oman. Its goal is to operate modern and efficient supply chains to ensure fresh produce from farms around the country reaches consumers through its marketing outlets, thereby enhancing food availability and food security.

In addition, the company plans to establish partnerships with small and medium enterprises that are working directly with agricultural farms and orchards to enable them to open marketing outlets for their produce. These SMEs will be aided in collection, processing, distribution and marketing of their agricultural produce.

Basateen’s vision and operations are in line with the Omani government’s strategy to modernise the country’s agricultural sector primarily with the goal of enabling local Omani farmers to obtain attractive returns for their produce in the marketplace. This can be ensured only through the development of elaborate and efficient supply chain infrastructure complete with refrigeration and warehousing support.

Khazaen Economic City is the largest public-private partnership project in the Sultanate and is the latest integrated economic city to be developed in the Wilayat of Barka in the South Al Batinah Governorate. An anchor initiative is the Khazaen Food City, supplemented by the Khazaen Central Market for vegetables and fruits.