22 October 2014 - The Philippine Department of Trade and Industry – Export Marketing Bureau in cooperation with the Philippine Embassy in the Sultanate of Oman successfully conducted the first ever Outbound Business Mission (OBM) on Food in Oman from October 18 to 20. Oman is the first stop in the OBM Tour of five countries in the Gulf region.

The delegation was composed of 10 representatives from six major Filipino food companies and government sector headed by Commercial Attaché Paisal D. Abdullah of the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) Middle East.

The Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) hosted the business-to-business (B2B) meetings at its premises on October 19. OCCI Vice Chairman Ayman Abdullah al Hasani warmly welcomed the delegation and some OCCI member companies who attended the business matching meetings. Minister and Consul General Hjayceelyn M. Quintana, who joined the OBM participants, gave some insights on the nature of Omani market and on how to do business in Oman.

After the B2B meetings at the OCCI, the OBM delegation visited various hypermarkets in Muscat to do some market survey. Meetings with reputable Omani and other foreign companies were also arranged by the Embassy on the sidelines.

Philippine Ambassador to Oman Narciso T. Castañeda hailed the OBM’s success in strengthening ties and establishing new business relationships between Oman and the Philippines in the food sector during the courtesy call of the delegation. END