Rural Dhofar 2026 Opens to Boost Women's Entrepreneurship

By: Women Entrepreneurs Review Team | Monday, 10 August 2026

The “Rural Dhofar 2026” exhibition will begin on August 10 at Atin Square in Dhofar, aiming to strengthen the economic participation of rural women and promote locally made Omani products. The event will provide rural women entrepreneurs and productive families with opportunities to showcase their products, connect with customers and expand their market presence.

Organized by the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Dhofar, in collaboration with the Office of the Governor of Dhofar and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, the exhibition is part of the Khareef Dhofar Festival. Running until August 15, the event will offer visitors an opportunity to discover a variety of products made by rural producers across Oman.

More than 60 women entrepreneurs and productive families from different parts of Oman are expected to participate. Their products will include agricultural, fishery and food items, as well as honey, dates and natural-ingredient cosmetics. The exhibition will highlight the diversity of rural Omani products while helping producers reach new customers and expand their businesses.

Key Highlights:

• The exhibition empowers rural women by creating new entrepreneurship and market opportunities
• It promotes diverse Omani products from agriculture, fisheries, food and natural resources
• It supports rural businesses through training, financing and sustainable development

The exhibition aims to enhance direct marketing opportunities for rural products, increase the income of productive families, support small and medium-sized enterprises, and highlight the role of rural women as active partners in achieving food security and sustainable economic development.

The exhibition will be accompanied by a diverse program of specialized workshops covering topics such as quality and added value of rural products, sustainable production, the "Rural Product" financing program, and the role of women in achieving food security. This program aims to transfer expertise, enhance the capabilities of female entrepreneurs, and develop their projects.

The "Rural Dhofar 2026" exhibition also provides an opportunity for the public and visitors to learn about successful entrepreneurial experiences in the rural sector and to purchase local products. This aligns with the Ministry's efforts to develop rural communities, enhance the added value of national products, and solidify the concepts of sustainability and economic diversification.

The initiative also comes as Oman continues to strengthen opportunities for rural women through value-added agricultural activities. In Dhofar, a camel milk processing project supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Oman’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources is helping rural women develop skills in production, quality control and marketing. The project has already trained and empowered 20 women in its initial phase, highlighting the importance of connecting rural producers with value-added markets.

Agricultural diversification is also creating new opportunities for rural communities in Dhofar. A government-backed Arabic coffee cultivation project in the governorate aims to revive coffee production in the mountain areas of Sadah, Taqah and Mirbat while creating additional income opportunities for farmers. The initiative is part of broader efforts to strengthen local production and diversify agricultural activities in the region.