Philippine trade team in Oman to promote products

Seeking to boost trade relations between Oman and the Philippines, the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) hosted businessto-business (B2B) meetings with members of a trade delegation from the Philippines representing the food processing, manufacturing and logistics sectors.

The trade delegation was headed by Anthony Rivera and Myrtle Faye Solina from the Philippines Department of Trade and Industry — Export Marketing Bureau. Representing the government was Eric Elnar, Commercial Attache of the Philippine Trade and Investment Centre for Middle East and Africa.

The visiting team also comprise representatives of leading Philippine firms such as Chemrez Technologies, IFern Corp, LBC, Mama Sita’s, Mindanao Pearl Centre, Natural Quality Corp, Philippine Grocers Export Inc, Pixcel Transglobal Foods, Rebisco and Souq Pinoy.

Filipino products showcased during the event include coco oil (food supplement), whitening soap and toothpaste, fine jewellery (pearl), cosmetic products and food spices and condiments, fermented marine products, nuts and seeds, wafers, and others to name a few.

According to Eric Elnar, Commercial Attache, Philippine Trade and Investment Centre for Middle East and Africa, “Oman offers hugely promising market for Philippine products owing to the sizable Filipino population here, concentrated in a relatively small area in Muscat. There are also opportunities in the mainstream market, both for local Omanis and expatriates, like South Asians.”

Of immediate priority for promotion in Oman, Elnar said, are food, health and wellness products targeted primarily at Filipinos, as well as the wider market. “The Philippines offers a unique selection of products, such as fresh mangoes, coconut water, cosmetics and ‘cosmeceuticals’, which are popular with all kinds of customers,” he noted.

The Commercial the delegation would Attache said look forward to visiting the Sultanate to build on its engagements with local business community.

“We are also encouraged by the interest shown by members of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry to visit the Philippines,” Elnar stated.

Commenting on the event, Maria Josephine P A, founder of Oman Philippine Friendship Association said, “The bilateral trade meet is very important as it provides an avenue for business match-matching. It also offers an opportunity for traders to link up with leading exporters, manufacturers and buyers in both countries. We can expect more business deals and investments emerging from this maiden meeting.”