Philippine Outbound Business Matching Mission (OBMM) Takes Place in Oman

Front row, left to right: Mr. Eric C. Elnar, Philippine Commercial Attaché based in Dubai; Second Secretary and Consul Bernadette A. Mendoza; H.E. Narciso T. Castañeda, Philippine Ambassador to Oman; Mr. Anthony B. Rivera, Assistant Director, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Export Marketing Bureau; Ms. Myrtle Faye L. Solina, DTI Trade and Industry Development Specialist; Back row: Philippine business representatives.

16 November 2017 MUSCAT — The Philippine Outbound Business Matching Mission (OBMM), organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) based in Dubai, UAE, in coordination with the Philippine Embassy in Oman, visited Muscat, Oman last November 07 to 11.

The Philippine business delegation, which included representatives of 10 Philippine business companies, was led by Mr. Anthony B. Rivera, Assistant Director at the DTI’s Export Marketing Bureau. Also in the delegation were Mr. Eric C. Elnar, Philippine Commercial Attaché for the Middle East and Africa based in Dubai, and Ms. Myrtle Faye L. Solina, Trade and Industry Development Specialist at the DTI. The companies represented product lines including food items, food supplements, sauces, spices, mixes, condiments, cosmetic items, soap and whitening products, cargo and logistics, and online marketing.

The delegation also paid a courtesy call on H.E. Narciso T. Castañeda, Philippine Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman, at the Embassy’s Sentro Rizal Hall on November 08. 

The Ambassador received the delegation and expressed his hope that the OBMM in Oman would be productive and strengthen the economic relations between the Philippines and Oman. 

Mr. Rivera thanked the Ambassador for the warm welcome and prompt assistance provided by the Embassy, including the scheduling of their requested meetings with the Chamber of Commerce, the Muscat Municipality and major distributors and wholesalers of foodstuffs and supplements in Oman. 

This was followed by a lively interaction between the Ambassador and members of the delegation who had some questions about the Sultanate, especially its business climate. In his answers, the Ambassador provided the delegation a brief overview of Oman’s economy, the host government’s economic priorities, the opportunities present in the country, as well as its particular and regional challenges.

Additionally, the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) hosted B2B meetings for the Philippine business delegation at the OCCI premises last November 09. 

At the Muscat Hall, Mr. Ayman Abdullah Al Hasani, OCCI Vice Chairman for Economic and Branches Affairs, gave a warm welcome towards the delegation, citing the good relations between the people of Oman and the Philippines and how it should translate into the business sector. 

Mr. Sulaiman bin Sultan Al Mughairi, Director of Public Relations Department, presented the business and investment opportunities in Oman and the OCCI’s role in facilitating foreign investments, such as hosting business matching meetings and assisting in the registration of new business.

The B2B meetings between the Philippine delegation and local buyers and sellers followed at the OCCI’s Al Batinah Hall. END

Ambassador Narciso T. Castañeda welcomes the Philippine business delegation to Muscat and answers questions on Oman’s business climate.

Mr. Anthony B. Rivera, Assistant Director at the DTI Export Marketing Bureau and head of the delegation, receives a gift from Mr. Ayman Abdullah Al Hasani (right), Vice Chairman for Economic and Branches Affairs of the Oman Chamber of Commerce.

For more information, visit www.muscatpe.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinOman.