A growing passion for natural products in Oman has evolved into a thriving small business centered on handmade cosmetics derived from herbs native to Al Jabal Al Akhdhar. Shafiqah al Omairi, founder of Shatha Soap, has specialised in producing natural soaps and related skincare products that draw directly from the region’s diverse plant life.

Al Omairi’s venture began in June 2016 through the Banat Oman Programme, an initiative by the Public Development Organisation (PDO) aimed at training women from Al Jabal Al Akhdhar in natural soap-making techniques. The programme provided her with foundational skills and inspired her to pursue further specialised training to expand her product range. Motivated by the abundance of local herbs, she envisioned developing a factory dedicated to natural soaps and skincare, creating an enterprise that combines sustainability with economic opportunity.

At a recent exhibition for small-scale enterprises, Shatha Soap displayed a variety of products beyond soaps, including perfumes, traditional incense, body lotions, and natural oils, highlighting the richness of Omani artisanal goods. Al Omairi’s journey represents one of the pioneering efforts in introducing natural soap-making to the Al Jabal Al Akhdhar area, where the industry was previously relatively undeveloped. She described the craft as evolving from a recreational blending of plant oils and herbs into a professional pursuit and source of livelihood.

The business model relies on the careful harvesting of seasonal herbs from Al Jabal Al Akhdhar. These plants are collected, washed, dried, and ground to preserve their natural properties before incorporation into the soap mixture. Each batch requires about a month-long production cycle, beginning with the mixing of natural oils and soap base, followed by the addition of herbs. The mixture is then poured into moulds and left to solidify before curing, drying, cleaning, labeling, and packaging—all processes that remain largely manual despite the use of a few electrical tools.

Shatha Soap has received recognition for its contributions to rural entrepreneurship and local product promotion. In 2022, it was awarded the Rural Women’s Agricultural Projects Award by Al Dakhiliyah Governorate during Omani Women’s Day celebrations. More recently, in 2026, the enterprise was honoured during the region’s Rose Season for its role in supporting local craftsmanship and business development in Al Jabal Al Akhdhar.

Through the fusion of traditional knowledge and modern entrepreneurship, Al Omairi’s Shatha Soap illustrates a broader movement toward sustainable economic growth rooted in Omani natural heritage.