Media

The Central Market of vegetables & fruits has been a milestone in the wholesale trade of vegetables and fruits in Muscat. The market contains more than (300) companies importing vegetables and fruits from various international location.

The total area of the market is (185244) square meters, with a major sunshade that is (5600) square meters, in addition to a large number of rooms to cool the products. The first part of the market displays local products containing about (438) tables. There is a section for products imported directly from countries of origin.

Muscat Municipality has set four major goals for the Central Market to achieve:

1- 1. Direct import and self-reliance

The central market has gained a wide reputation in the region for its ability to attract  capital from abroad and for direct import. Whereas importing from neighboring countries (non-direct) has declined significantly.

2- 2. Local product marketing and exportation

 
The market has played a vital role in marketing and exporting local Omani products. Part of the market has been dedicated only  to Omani traders displaying local products, which has encouraged traders from the Levant re-fill their empty trucks with Omani products during their trip back to their home countries.

3. Provide safe products with affordable price.

The abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables in the market since its launch is an evidence to the market`s ability to provide quality products with the appropriate quantity. In addition, the abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables has pushed prices to decrease.


Government offices:

•    Department of Agricultural Quarantine
•    The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries
•    The Customs of Royal Oman Police


To facilitate finishing all administrative procedures at the market, Muscat Municipality has created a building with integrated crew hosting other government agencies, including:

Office of the Ministry of Agriculture which includes two departments: 1- Department of Agricultural Quarantine

This department controls the process of health surveillance on agricultural imports, which is defined as a package of " regulations and legislation and procedures imposed by the countries to control transportation of plants and agricultural products. The department prevents entry of agricultural pests and diseases to areas still free.

2- Office of Market information:

 This office meant to organize the process of import from abroad, where the trader wishing to import fills out a form (Importing agricultural products ) stating the product amount, type and country of origin.

3- Office of the Royal Oman Police ( Directorate General of Customs):

 After a merchant fills out the form needed to import agricultural products, the customs of Royal Oman Police facilitates the necessary custom process, making sure documents like the agriculture certificate from country of origin, bills, and products are clear. It is worth mentioning that fruits and vegetables are exempted from custom fees.

Facilities:

Other facilities have also gained a share in the market. The Municipality has found a mosque, bank, hotel, food establishments and toilets.

Registration of companies:

The management of the central market has sought to facilitate the procedures for companies wishing to invest in the market. For those interested in the market they only need to attach their application with a certificate with the commercial register of the company (issued by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry ), a signature, copy of ID card or authorised signatory. Owner of the institution has to pledge to bear all the responsibilities that entailed on the company by exercising business in the market, and following the completion of such documents, the management shall take other procedures for the registration.

Central market regulatory framework: The operating committee:

In the year 1988, under the administrative decision no. (100/98) issued on November 30th, the Central Market Operating Committee was formed. The committee designs policies for developing the market and have been assigned the following duties:

1.    Setting up plans and programmes facilitating investment in the market.
2.    Leasing of facilities in the market.
3.    Identifying the types of commercial activities needed by the market.
4.    Coordinating with other competent entities to ensure continuous operation of the market.

The Central Market Administration:

Because Muscat Municipality is the authority supervising and operating the Central Market, it has originated an administration under the title The Central Market for Vegetables & Fruits Administration which is responsible for managing and operating the market.

Regulations of the Central Market for Vegetables & fruits:

The administrative decision number (2003/74) dated May 19, 2002 and containing a resolution with seventeen articles eligibilised the administration to practice its duties in the market.