Conclusion of the Third Economic Forum on Genetic Resources “Geno Business 3” in Salalah
The Third Economic Forum on Genetic Resources, “Geno Business 3,” concluded at Rotana Resort Salalah. On its final day, the Forum focused on advancing innovation in the perfume and cosmetics industries, promoting the sustainable use of natural resources, and enhancing the economic value of Oman’s biodiversity wealth.
On the sidelines of the forum, Her Excellency Dr. Rahma bint Ibrahim Al-Mahrooqi, Minister of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation, led a panel discussion featuring international speakers, representatives from global companies, local researchers, and organizations specializing in genetic and plant resources in the Sultanate of Oman.
The meeting discussed the formation of a joint working group of local and international researchers to design an action plan that sets priorities for the next phase in the field of genetic resources, as well as exploring the creation of an electronic platform dedicated to Omani genetic resources.
Discussions also touched on the training of specialized national cadres, raising student awareness through the inclusion of elective courses in higher education institutions, and designing entrepreneurship programmes related to natural resources and their commercial investment within the higher education environment, while emphasizing the importance of organizing the Forum periodically to enhance the sustainability of national efforts in this field.
Her Excellency, the Minister, also discussed ways to enhance cooperation with the Dutch Blintz Foundation in the areas of incubating and accelerating innovation, through the implementation of training programmes and exchange visits between ministry and foundation staff, and the organization of training programmes within the Sultanate of Oman. The meeting also addressed the possibility of cooperation in preparing a university course specializing in innovation that contributes to supporting national capacity building, strengthening the innovation system, and developing projects with added economic value.
The final day featured two discussion sessions. The first, entitled “Innovation and Identity in Fragrance and Beauty,” addressed vital topics related to investing in Omani natural and plant resources in innovative and sustainable industries. It reviewed opportunities for transforming local plants into high-value cosmetic and fragrance products, with the participation of local brands such as “Omani Luxury”, “Latafa”, and Al Suqri Integrated Projects
-“Mountain Rose”, “Al Fawaah Fragrances”, and the Italian International Corporation Dr. Frangesi Ferenzi.
These entities shared their experiences in integrating natural Omani ingredients into modern products that reflect national identity and compete in global markets, highlighting the role of local biodiversity in supporting innovation and sustainable industrial growth.
The second session, entitled “Innovation in Sustainability,” focused on the use of biodiversity and natural resources to support sustainable industries. Speakers reviewed opportunities for innovation in traditional products and their economic reuse, as well as the importance of investing in Omani plants to promote national identity and produce new value-added products.
Discussions touched on the role of eco-tourism in supporting the local economy and the importance of protecting natural habitats, as well as the contribution of modern technologies and research methods in improving product quality and competitiveness.
At the conclusion of the Forum, participants endorsed a set of recommendations supporting the Sultanate of Oman’s approach to promoting sustainability and innovation in the investment of its biological resources. They emphasized the importance of integration between scientific research and the business sector to accelerate the transformation of innovations into commercial products with added value, and to establish a national framework for the development of industries based on genetic resources, including the perfume, cosmetics, food, and health products sectors. They called for encouraging investment in modern distillation and extraction technologies, developing quality standards and unified trademarks for Omani products, and implementing training and experience exchange programmes with international centers in the fields of innovation and entrepreneurship. They also called for enabling small and medium-sized enterprises and local communities to benefit economically from sustainable natural resources, adopting production policies that take into account the principles of the circular economy, thereby enhancing the Sultanate’s position as a center for the production of high-quality natural products that comply with international environmental and ethical standards.
The Forum concluded with several recommendations, including the importance of developing sustainable eco-tourism and innovative experiences by designing interactive and educational spaces that highlight the uniqueness of Omani nature and culture, and employing creative design and renewable energy to preserve the environment, in addition to offering multi-sensory experiences and seasonal exhibitions that attract local and international visitors. In addition, economic development should be achieved through the integration of tourism and nature by investing unused land in eco-tourism and agricultural projects, building partnerships between farmers and developers, and creating sustainable national destinations that reconnect people with nature and local culture and contribute to long-term economic and cultural value.
