Tap Oman, sectors urged

Tap Oman, sectors urged

Exporters of cosmetics and food are recommended to tap into the Middle Eastern market through Oman, which has friendly regulations, say industrial executives.

Ketmanee Lertkitcha, chairwoman of the Federation of Thai Industries' cosmetics industry club, said Oman is not as socially strict as other countries in the region.

"Thai cosmetic products have opportunity to expand in that market and beyond," Ms Ketmanee said at a forum about exporters' opportunities in Oman last week organised by Omanexpo.

"If Thai cosmetic products want to enter Saudi Arabia, exporters have to register their products and pay a lot of money. In Oman, that is much easier and cheaper. Thai products already have a good reputation for high quality and affordable prices compared with other prominent cosmetic brands."

Last year, Thai cosmetic exports were worth 140 billion baht, with Asean (26%) and Japan (25.3%) the main destinations.

The food sector also underperforms in the Middle East. Although Thailand exports food products worth 1 trillion baht globally each year, only a fraction goes to the Middle East, said Darunee Edwards, president of the Food Science and Technology Association of Thailand.

Oman's main industry is oil and gas, so the country needs to import a lot of consumer products. The market is largely untapped and Thai products have the capacity to thrive there.

"Many food operators tend to focus on the US and European markets and overlook the Middle East, mainly because they think the market is small," said Mrs Darunee. "When they think of the halal market, they tend to think of only Malaysia and Indonesia."

She said halal certifications are issued by the Central Islamic Committee of Thailand and the Office of the Chularatchamontri. The process has been problematic but the issue was recently resolved.

While the country has a small population, Oman can serve as a hub for other Middle East markets with more purchasing power per capita, said Mrs Darunee.

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