Business news

MINSK, 17 October (BelTA) – Belarusian companies have signed contracts to supply foodstuffs to Oman on the sidelines of the Food and Hospitality Oman international trade exhibition that is taking place in Muscat on 15-17 October. Six Belarusian companies are taking part in the expo under the umbrella of the national exposition titled “Belarus. The Taste of Nature”. It is the first time Belarus has presented its exposition in Oman, BelTA learned from the Belinterexpo exhibition company of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI).

The company Primemilk concluded 12 contracts with Oman’s dairy and confectionery companies. In the near future Oman will receive 100 tonnes of whey powder and whey fat concentrates. Visitors to the Belarusian pavilion got interested in heavy cream substitutes that can be used in the dairy industry and as coffee creamers. Other hits of the Belarusian pavilion included smoked chicken and quail eggs with mustard, black pepper and turmeric presented by Soligorsk Poultry Factory. Such products are not available in Oman and were a surprise for local consumers. Minsk Margarine Plant presented a line-up of sauces adapted to the tastes of Oman residents. These are sesame-ginger sauce, Arabic sauce with herbs, and curry with sage, thyme and basil. Representatives of the Oman Air Catering Service took an immediate liking to these products. Talks are underway to discuss cooperation prospects.

Another Belarusian company, Babushkina Krynka, is not a newcomer to the market of Oman. The company has been shipping its milk powder since the start of the year. During the expo the company’s products caught the eye of major retail networks of the Arabian Peninsula - The Sultan Center and LuLu. The companies reached several arrangements. The retail networks will send their representatives to Belarus for further talks. The first batch of products might be shipped to Oman after the Omani delegation studies the product line-up and manufacturing processes at the Belarusian enterprise. Lidapischekontsentraty presented an assortment of instant foods. The company does not sell its products in the Middle East yet, but during the expo it managed to find some 20 potential partners. Yeast Factory presented dry yeast for making bread and pastry. The company held talks with over 40 companies and struck a deal with major shopping malls of Oman and the United Arab Emirates.

On 16 October the Belarusian pavilion was visited by Chairman of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Belarus’ Honorary Consul Qais Mohammed Al Yusuf. He pledged assistance in promoting Belarusian products in Oman.

The exposition “Belarus. The Taste of Nature” was organized by Belinterexpo with support of the Belarusian Embassy in Egypt and Oman and the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry.