FAO Oman, OCCI Join Forces to Enhance Omani Participation in UNGM

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) office in Oman, in partnership with the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, organized a workshop entitled “From Local to Global: Empowering Suppliers in the Sultanate of Oman through the UNGM,” aimed at strengthening the capacity of national companies to engage in the UN procurement system.

The workshop sought to introduce Omani suppliers to business opportunities available within the United Nations system and the mechanisms for registration on the United Nations Global Marketplace (UNGM), in addition to equipping them with the knowledge required to prepare technical and financial proposals in line with international standards, with a focus on integrating environmental and social dimensions into sustainable procurement.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Thaer Yaseen, FAO Representative in the Sultanate of Oman (a.i.), said: “The United Nations is one of the world’s largest buyers, with its procurement value exceeding USD 25 billion in 2024, distributed across more than 220 countries and territories. This enormous volume of contracts opens wide doors and prospects for suppliers from various countries, especially the Sultanate of Oman, to enter a global market characterized by transparency, diversity, and sustainable procurement.
Despite the efficiency, quality, and competitiveness of Omani companies, their participation in UN procurement remains limited, not exceeding 0.06% of the total global suppliers registered on the UNGM platform. That is, for every one million global suppliers registered, there are only 60 Omani suppliers. Hence, the importance of this workshop as a vital platform to enhance the readiness of Omani suppliers, enable them to register and participate effectively in UN tenders, and understand evaluation criteria and mechanisms for preparing technical and financial proposals.”

Mr. Zakaria bin Abdullah Al-Saadi, CEO of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, emphasized on the importance of this distinguished workshop, which aligns with the strategic directions of the Chamber aimed at improving the business environment and expanding the base of economic diversification, thereby enhancing Oman’s position on the global economic map, in line with the objectives of “Oman Vision 2040” to build a diversified and sustainable economy.

He added that the importance of this workshop lies in “introducing suppliers and manufacturers in the Sultanate of Oman to the mechanisms of registration and participation in international tenders, and the mechanisms for preparing technical and financial proposals according to the international standards adopted by the United Nations.” He further noted that mastering these modern procurement and supply concepts “not only contributes to developing the efficiency of Omani suppliers, but also opens broader horizons for them to engage with international markets, enhances the competitiveness of our national companies, and enables their participation in regional and global supply chains.”

The technical workshop included working papers and presentations on practical steps for Omani companies regarding the process of becoming certified suppliers through the United Nations Global Marketplace (UNGM), clarifying essential procurement categories and methods of solicitation such as RFQ, ITB, RFP, and REOI. The main focus was on preparing strong and compliant proposals, emphasizing the importance of clarity, adherence to terms of reference, and providing transparent and detailed cost breakdowns, with the ultimate goal of strengthening resilient and sustainable food systems in the country.

The series of presentations also highlighted the FAO Oman office’s commitment to sustainable procurement, which integrates environmental and social responsibility into every purchasing process. Suppliers learned that proposals are evaluated based on the “best value for money” principle, meaning that evaluation goes beyond price alone in favor of suppliers who use environmentally friendly materials, uphold fair labor standards, and demonstrate positive social impact—thus encouraging companies with environmental certifications and ethical practices. Detailed instructions were provided on separating technical from financial proposals and the necessity of declaring all costs and taxes.

The workshop concluded by reaffirming FAO’s collaborative role alongside other UN agencies in supporting national development and contribute to the country’s sustainable growth.