• Non-oil omani origin exports set to achive target of ro 2.1 billion by 2010 inspite of global credit crunch

• OCIPED sees huge opportunities for trade with Libya

• The Sultanate of Oman participates in Boston Seafood Show in USA

• Official Delegation from Federal Republic of Comoros Visited OCIPED on 7th March 2009

• OCIPED Received the Arab British Chamber of Commerce delegates

• Ociped welcomes extension of European Union Preferential Tariff System (GSP) for the benefit of Omani Exporters till 2011

• Ociped to provide Global Buyer Details through Matchmaker Software

• Film City Visit 

• Ociped Updates Information On Gsp – A Preferential Tariff System For The Benefit Of Omani Exporters

• Ociped Hails 74% Growth In Non-Oil Omani Origin Exports During First Half Of 2008

• WTO Report - June 2008

Non-oil omani origin exports set to achive target of ro 2.1 billion by 2010 inspite of global credit crunch

Mr.Faris Al Farsi Acting Director General of Export Development, The Omani Centre for investment promotion and Export Development (OCIPED) expressed the confidence that in spite of the global credit crunch the value of Non-Oil Omani origin exports will meet the target set for 2010 as per the Export Strategy prepared by OCIPED. Mr.Faris is upbeat as Non-Oil Omani Origin exports touched RO. 1963 Million during the year 2008 as against RO. 1291 Million during the year 2007 registering an impressive growth rate of 52%.

Value of Non-oil Omani origin exports by the Sultanate of Oman
during 2007 and 2008
Source: Ministry of National Economy

The export performance have been in line with the export strategy adopted by OCIPED, which has identified thrust products and target markets for the period 2006 – 2010.
There are different reasons for the recent growth such as:

• Increase in oil prices during 2007 and 2008.

• Reduction in import tariffs in the target markets

• Information provided to exporters on trade opportunities

• Awareness created on the trade rules and procedures through workshops/ Seminars.

• Market intelligence provided by Ociped

• OCIPED's participation in Exhibitions/fairs

• OCIPED's initiative in conducting market studies in target markets and later inviting Buyers from the target markets.

The quality of our exports:

Mr.Aiman Ambusaidi Director of Export Development of OCIPED, informed that the Sultanate of Oman manufactures a wide range of competitive and high caliber products, ideal for markets anywhere in the world. While Omani products offer competitive prices, it is the quality controls that make them able to compete in international markets. The Directorate General of Specifications and Measurements is an authority established to ensure that the standard of goods made in Oman stays consistently high. The regulations laid down for Omani products meet Gulf Co-operation Council requirements and are on par with the strictest, worldwide. Every factory must satisfy the authorities about their ability to meet these specifications before starting commercial production. Manufacturing units have implemented current industrial management techniques and several industries have been awarded the ISO 9000 series accreditation.

Role of OCIPED

Further, Mr.Aiman explained the Role played by the Directorate-General of Export Development (DGED) in achieving the export growth:

1. To develop Strategy for Non-Oil Omani origin exports.
2. To provide Trade and Market Information to the exporters:

• Trade Statistics for International Business Developments through TradeMap

• Business information for going global through ProductMap.

• Comprehensive source of tariffs and market access measures through Market Access Map

• Countries market analysis profile through Country Map

• Generalized System of Preferences for Omani Products.

• Market Reports for select products in target countries

3. To organize matchmaking meetings between Omani exporters and international importers by participating in the international exhibitions, Trade Missions and inviting
    buyers.

4. To Organize Workshop / Seminars on International Trade.

OCIPED has identified 29 thrust sector products for focused promotional efforts. These thrust products together accounted for 70% of total Omani origin non oil exports.

Mr.Emaad Al Shukeily, Marketing Researcher at OCIPED, informed that the specialists in Directorate General of Export Development (DGED) undertake field visits to the exporting Omani factories so as to facilitate and streamline coordination between OCIPED and the exporting factories. The visits familiarized OCIPED with problems and obstacles encountered by the factories as far as export is concerned. The field visits also get the factories acquainted with the developments and latest information on the activities and services of OCIPED. These monthly visits were made by the specialists of the centre who managed to visit the marketing managers and general managers in these factories and discussed with them ways on how to increase their exports and participation in the specialized exhibitions promoted by OCIPED and make maximum use of the center’s representative network abroad.

Mr.Emaad further added that given the important role the private sector plays in the economic development and trade in the Sultanate, the OCIPED pays special attention to involve this sector to share the opinion and take the appropriate decision on the issues of export and export development. Export Development Working Group has been formed with the senior officials from various industrial sectors and other supporting sectors. The group meets at regular intervals to discuss issues affecting exports and suggest suitable export support services for the exporters.

Mr.Aiman Ambusaidi, added that as an innovative service to Omani exporters, OCIPED has launched Match Maker service by which Omani exporters of thrust products have started receiving addresses of 10 importers on a daily basis in their email. The market Study in Libya for 24 products is underway and should be ready by second half of 2009.

Mr.Faris Al Faris informed that OCIPED has set out an export target of RO 2117 Million for Non-Oil Omani origin products by 2010 and expressed the confidence that this can be easily met in spite of the global credit crunch.

Mr.Faris thanked the Omani exporters for keeping the momentum in increasing Omani origin exports.

OCIPED sees huge opportunities for trade with Libya

Dr. Salem Al Ismaily CEO of the Omani Centre for Investment Promotion and Export Development (OCIPED) sees promising opportunity for increasing trade with Great Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya. According to the Export Strategy for the development of Non-Oil Omani origin Exports conducted by OCIPED a number of thrust products and target markets have been identified. OCIPED have been regularly conducting market studies in target markets such as Yemen, Syria, Kenya, Tanzania, Iran and Sudan and have later organized matchmaking meetings between the Omani exporters and importers in the target markets. This exercise has resulted in increasing Non-Oil Omani origin exports to these target markets as is evident below.

Dr. Salem added that Libya with a population of 6.2 Million, GDP at current prices (2007) of US$ 62.06 Billion, Imports of over US$ 11 billion (2007) offers excellent market opportunity for Omani exporters. Moreover, no customs duty is levied by Libya on Omani products entering Libya as per the Greater Arab Free Trade Agreement (GAFTA).

 Libya- The rising star in North Africa

Libyan economy benefitted from the lifting of sanctions and embargo in 2003, 2004 and has grown impressively in the last five years. Post 2003, there has been a slew of structural and policy changes that gave a fillip to the economy. Libya had greater access to international markets- this proved positive for both their exports and imports. The Libyan Government initiated a string of policy changes to attract private investment in commerce, make business more attractive and attract foreign investment in the country. Today, Libya has one of the fastest growing economies in Africa.

Oil accounts for over 1/3rd of the Libyan economy, followed by education and healthcare services. The other key sectors in the economy are trade, hospitality and construction. All these sectors grew at double digits during the last 3 years.

Large Government expenditure and private participation to boost economic growth in Libya:

Libya has embarked a large infrastructure and construction projects to build a stronger economy. The power output is set to double from 4,700MW to 9,700MW within the next five years at a projected cost of $7.5 Bn. The Libyan government has an ambitious project of the “Great Manmade River Project” the largest water development scheme in the world. This scheme is being built to bring water from large aquifers under the Sahara to coastal cities at an estimated cost of $30 Bn. The government is also planning the construction of 50,000 to 60,000 houses under the housing for all scheme along with revamping of around 334,450 sq.meters of existing office space by 2012. New airports are being planned at Tripoli and Benghazi and upgrade to 13 other airports at an estimated cost of $2.1 billion. All these construction projects will give a big fillip to building materials, electrical and engineering products.

The government is also opening up services sector with foreign participation. China, Italy, Russia, UK and USA are already participating in Libya’s growth by investing in various sectors. The opening up of the banking sector will auger well for exporters as they would have international banks to look for export payments. Valetta Bank (Malta), British Arab Commercial Bank (UK), Bawag PSK (Austria), HSBC, International Arab Bank (Egypt), the Swiss Bank Channel, and the Housing Bank of Amman are some examples of international banks going to open offices in Libya.

Mr. Faris Nasser Al Farsi, Acting Director General of Export Development of OCIPED, whose directorate is responsible for export development of Non-oil Omani origin exports, informed that unfortunately, the Omani exporters have not looked at Libya seriously in the past. The Sultanate of Oman exported just around $ 6 Million worth of products to Libya in 2007 that accounted for less than 1% of total Libyan imports. Exports of Omani origin products in 2007 to Libya are the lowest amongst key Greater Arab Free Trade Agreement (GAFTA) countries. Considering the potential of the Libyan market and the Free Trade Agreement under GAFTA, this would increase manifold times in the future.

OCIPED’s Market Study in Libya to help Omani exporters

Mr. Faris stated that OCIPED has identified Libya as a target market and has started a Market Study in Libya covering 32 Omani products with Avalon Consulting. The study will cover

 1. Market Review in Libya
 2. Import Characteristics
 3. Commercial and Logistics Issues
 4. Obtain feedback from key importers and other players in Libya on Omani exports in terms of

        • quality
        • quantity
        • delivery schedules/logistics
        • commercial issues
        • Willingness to consider increased volumes from Omani sources. Factors which will drive the same

 5. Conclusions will be drawn for each of the 32 identified products on

      • Overall potential for imports
      • Major product categories which are imported and their technical specifications
      • Key current supply sources
      • Prices and duties
      • Logistics costs and implications for Omani exporters
      • Identify at least 3 to 5 major importers for each of these products, with the contact persons and e-mail
        address.
      • Find out from these importers their perspectives on imports from Omani sources
      • Willingness on increased sourcing from Oman, key factors which would drive the same.

As part of this engagement, OCIPED plans to organize seminars on Exporting to Libya in Muscat and Salalah sometime in August 2009 to spread awareness of Libya as a good potential market to the exporting community. This would be followed by a Buyer Seller meeting in Tripoli and Bengazi during October/November 2009 in Libya. Avalon Consulting is already in the processing of short listing 4-5 potential partners for each product category. These names have been passed on to Omani exporters who are free to contact the importers in Libya.

Dr.Salem Al Ismaily hoped that the Libya market study will realize OCIPED’s goal of increasing Non-Oil Omani origin exports to Libya as has been the case for Yemen, Syria, Kenya, Tanzania, Iran and Sudan. This strategy will help to diversify Oman’s export market and offset the impact of global financial crisis.

The Sultanate of Oman participates in Boston Seafood Show in USA

OCIPED in coordination with the Directorate General of Fisheries Resources, Ministry of Fisheries had organized Omani fish exporters’ participation at the International seafood show being held in Boston, USA from 15th March to 17th March 2009. Four Omani fish companies – Oman Fisheries co SAOG, Al Marsa Fisheries LLC, Al Bahihi fish Freezing company and Sea pride LLC participated in the show and had a very good response for all the products that were displayed such as Tuna, Tuna loins, Canned Tuna, Pre-Cooked Frozen Tuna Loins, Fish Meal and Fish Oil, lobsters, lobster tails, shrimps, groupers, sea breams and value added fish products.

The participants felt confident after having met many of the importers, distributors of fresh, frozen and value added seafood would result in substantial order generation by the end of the exhibition on 17th March 2009. Mr.Durin, CEO of Al Marsa Fisheries informed at the end of the first day of the exhibition that he is presently negotiating orders with 4 large buyers – one each from Netherlands, Denmark, France and USA. This shows that the Boston seafood show attracts buyers from all over the world. Other fish exhibitors are also negotiating with the buyers and hope to strike deals by the end of the exhibition.

The Omani exporters also had a fair exposure of the latest equipments, machineries and technology used for fish processing as well as different packing methods and marketing techniques. The Omani pavilion attracted as many as 250 visitors during day One as it has designed an attractive stand.

Mr.Musallam Salim Ahmed Rafeet Director of Ministry of Fisheries wealth in the Dhofar Region and the OCIPED official who are attending the show were confident that participation in the exhibition for the three consecutive years would augur well for the fish companies as they get an opportunity not only to meet international buyers but also get exposed to the various technologies adopted in the harvesting, production, quality control, packing and shipping of the fish and fish products from the Sultanate of Oman. The participants also visited other stands and learnt the display techniques being adopted to attract customers to their stand.

Official Delegation from Federal Republic of Comoros Visited OCIPED on 7th March 2009

His Excellency Minister/ Ahmed Sayed Jafar Foreign and corporation Minister from Federal Republic of Comoros met Dr. Salem Nasser Al Ismaily Chief Executive Officer of the Omani Centre for Investment Promotion and Export Development Centre on 7th March 2009 .

During the meeting, they discussed ways of enhancing cooperation between the two countries aiming at promoting trade and investment. The meeting was attended by: HE. Asad Abdul Rahman Amer Ambassador of Federal Republic of Comoros in Riyadh, Mr. Abu Al Qasim Abdull Razaq First advisor form Federal Republic of Comoros Embassy in Riyadh and from the Centre Ms. Nisreen Ahmed Jafar, director general of Investment Promotion, and Mr. Faris Nasser Al Farsi Director of Export Facilities.

OCIPED Received the Arab British Chamber of Commerce delegates

"Sir Roger Tomkys, Chairman and Dr Afnan Al Shuaiby, Secretary General & Chief Executive and the accompanying delegates of the Arab British Chamber of Commerce ABCC, paid a visit to OCIPED on 18th February 2009. Dr. Salem Nasser Al Ismaily - CEO of the Omani Center of Investment Promotion and Export Development presented a paper on Oman economy and investment opportunities . During the meeting opportunities and ways to coordinate and to enhance the private sector relationship between Oman and U K were discussed.

Commenting on the visit Dr Salem mentioned that Oman and UK have long lasting relationship and UK is the number one country in terms of FDI in Oman and further added that visit by such high level delegation will definably boost the economic relations ships ".A concept note is being prepared on enhancing cooperation between OCIPED and ABCC.

OCIPED participation in the Investment Forum in Japan in 2- 4 March 2009

Over 800 Japanese companies participated in the Investment Promotion Forum organized by Japan Cooperation Centre for Middle East in Tokyo and Osaka during the first week of March. The objective of the Forum was to boost investment and technology transfer from Japan to MENA region. From Oman side The Ambassador of Oman in Japan H.E Khalid Al Muslahi, Mrs Nisreen Ahmed Jaffer, Director General of Investment Promotion, Mrs. Nasra Al Nazwani, Economic Researcher of OCIPED and OCIPED Representative in Japan participated in the event. A Presentation was made on Oman economy and investment opportunities in downstream projects focusing on Metal, Plastic and Chemical Sectors. Apart from Oman sixteen other countires from the MENA region also participated in the forum. The forum provided an excellent platform to showcase the developments which are taking place in the region and the opportunities available for investment in various sectors.

As part of the program the organizers had also made arrangements for business meetings and Ms Nasra Al Nizwani, Investment Promotion Department of OCIPED and Mr. Moriya the representative of OCIPED in Japan had meetings with more than twenty Japanese companies and discussed specific investment opportunities in Oman.

Nisreen while complementing JCCME for organizing the event in a professional manner at a time of the global credit crunch, mentioned that the large number of participation by the Japanese companies , much more than the expectations of the organizers JCCME , and the attractive projections of IMF on the positive 4% growth in economy of the MENA countries, has generated a serious interest of Japanese companies to invest in the MENA region.

Ociped welcomes extension of European Union Preferential Tariff System (GSP) for the benefit of Omani Exporters till 2011

Film City Visit 

Ociped Updates Information On Gsp – A Preferential Tariff System For The Benefit Of Omani Exporters

In line with its objective to develop Omani products internationally, OCIPED has been pursuing with United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)/ Geneva for the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) extended by European Union (EU), USA and Japan. OCIPED has recently updated the GSP information and the same is available in Ociped website www.ociped.com under GSP benefits.

The Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), an initiative of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), is operated by all major industrialized nations, known as donor countries, with the basic objectives of increasing the export (foreign exchange) earnings of developing and least developed beneficiary countries, promoting their industrialization and accelerating their rate of economic growth.

The GSP, which is essentially a preferential tariff system, provides advantages to developing countries by enabling qualifying products to enter markets of donor countries at reduced or totally eliminated rates of duty, and thus at more competitive prices.

Under the GSP, any Omani producer, whether involved in agriculture, industry, or handicraft production and able to comply fully with the relevant terms and conditions, is able to derive benefit from the GSP scheme of which Oman is a beneficiary. However such benefit is restricted to the product identified by the Donor Country to be eligible for GSP benefit.

Mr. Aiman Ambusaidi Director of Export Development stated that OCIPED has hosted the updated GSP data in OCIPED website and urged all Omani manufacturers to access the information.

Ociped Hails 74% Growth In Non-Oil Omani Origin Exports During First Half Of 2008

The Directorate General of Export Development (DGED) of The Omani Centre for Investment Promotion and Export Development (OCIPED) whose role is to develop non-oil exports of Omani origin is happy to announce the significant growth achieved by the Sultanate of Oman in its Non-Oil Omani origin exports during the first half of 2008. The value of Non-Oil Omani origin exports has touched RO. 932.8 Million during January – June 2008 as against RO. 535.2 Million during the same period in 2007 registering an impressive growth rate of 74.3%.
 

Non-oil Omani origin exports
by the Sultanate of Oman during the period January to June

The export performance have been in line with the export strategy adopted by OCIPED, which has identified thrust products and target markets for the period 2006 – 2010.
 

Dr. Salem Al Ismaily, CEO of OCIPED stated that during 2008 OCIPED has undertaken several steps to assist Omani exporters. OCIPED participated in a number of product exhibitions, conducted market Studies and organized match making meetings between Omani businessmen and their counter parts.

 Ociped also invited buyers from various countries & arranged buyer seller meets and organized seminars and workshops on international trade related topics.

Dr. Salem added that, given the important role the private sector plays in the development of trade in the Sultanate, OCIPED pays special attention to involve this sector to share the opinion and take appropriate decision on the issues of export and export development. Officials from the Directorate General of Export Development of OCIPED often visit the private sector industries and advise them on various aspects of international trading / marketing.

OCIPED has set out an export target of RO 1.2 Billion for Non-Oil Omani origin products by 2008 and RO 2.7 billion by 2010. Dr. Salem expressed his confidence in achieving the target of Non-oil Omani origin exports by 2008 given the fact that there has been a substantial growth of 74.3% during the first half of 2008.