AIREA delegation to Oman & Bahrain 2024
Visit of delegation of Food Industry to Oman and Bahrain
APEDA, on the invitation of Indian Embassies, led a delegation of food companies to Sultanate of Oman and Kingdom of Bahrain during 22-25 July 2024. The companies represented Basmati rice, Buffalo Meat, Poultry and Processed Food sectors; AIREA member companies participated in this delegation.
Sultanate of Oman; 22-23 July 2024
The delegation arrived in Muscat on 22nd July 2024 and met H.E. Shri Ashok Lamba, The Ambassador, at Indian Embassy in Sultanate of Oman. Shri Lamba welcomed the first Indian Basmati rice delegation to Oman in last about 25 years, spoke about long history of good relationship of India-Oman, appreciated presence of delegation and especially the AIREA members. The Ambassador, further, assured good cooperation of Indian Embassy in Oman to delegation members towards business future growth and in addressing challenges. President, AIREA in his address talked about good exports opportunity for our Basmati rice to Oman and requested Indian Embassy’s support to address specific issues concerning Basmati rice.
A B2B meeting was held at Hotel Sheraton Muscat in the evening (22 Jul 2024) where the Indian Embassy invited many importers/ buyers of food products from Oman, esp. the Basmati rice buyers. Indian Ambassador, Vice Chairman of Oman Chamber of Commerce and other dignitaries from the Government, trade & industry were present in the B2B event. Shri Satish Goyal, President AIREA, highlighted tremendous export growth of India- Oman Basmati rice trade since 2019-20, future potential for further growth and thanked the authorities for organizing the B2B event. Shri Alok Bisaria, Executive Director, AIREA covered aspects of good business growth, India’s leadership position in rice exports to more than 165 countries, food safety of Basmati rice to consumers in Oman and highlighted AIREA’s intent to engage with Govt. Authority(s) in Oman on Basmati rice matters.
On 23rd July 2024, AIREA member delegation met Govt. Authorities in Sultanate of Oman to discuss Basmati rice. AIREA members clarified that our Basmati is safe for consumers and also pressed upon the need to address MRL matters quickly, amicably and in joint consultation so that the trade grows and exporters do not face difficulty. The Authority(s) conveyed their understanding of the matter, willingness to look at concerns there-in and assured full cooperation to AIREA. Officials of Indian Embassy, APEDA, BEDF and other members of the delegation also discussed matters of relevance to their sector, respectively.
It is understood that a MOU is being discussed & finalized between Govt. of India and Sultanate of Oman including matters incidental to framework of modalities & mechanism to address food / food standards related matters between India and Oman.
In the afternoon, LULU hyper market hosted Indian delegates to Indian product promotion in their hypermarket at Avenue Mall, Oman. The event was graced by H.E. The Ambassador of India to Oman and sampling of many varieties of Biryani/ Pulao made with Basmati rice were done. The store was decorated with Indian theme for the promotion. After the promotion started, the procurement side of Lulu interacted with each delegate.
Kingdom of Bahrain; July 24-26 2024
On 24th July 2024 the delegation met the Food Safety Officials in Kingdom of Bahrain. The Authority(s) were happy with food items supplied from India including Basmati rice. The Authorities focus on GSO standards that are being followed for imported food.
Promotion of Basmati rice, Poultry products and processed food was held at Al Jazeera super market at 11.30 AM. The store was decorated with Indian theme and sampling of Veg & Non-veg Biryani made with Basmati rice, was done.
The delegation interacted with H.E. Shri Vinod K. Jacob, Indian Ambassador in Kingdom of Bahrain in Indian Embassy at Bahrain. The Ambassador welcomed the first Indian Basmati rice delegation to Oman in last about 25 years and assured full support to business promotion in Bahrain. He showed optimism that a further momentum of business growth is likely to be built following this visit.
On 25th July 2024 morning, the delegation participated in a B2B networking organized by Bahrain Chamber of Commerce. The occasion was graced by top office bearers of the Chamber and Indian Ambassador. After the inaugural ceremony, many importers/ buyers of food items in Bahrain, interacted/ discussed business with respective members of the delegation in the B2B discussion
Promotion of Indian products at LULU Hyper market was held at Dana Mall in Bahrain. The occasion was graced by Indian Ambassador, members of Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and officials of Bahrain Govt. sampling of many varieties of Biryani/ Pulao made with Basmati rice were done. The store was decorated with Indian theme for the promotion. After the promotion started, the procurement side of Lulu interacted with each delegate.
The promotion at LULU Hypermarket continued on 26th July as well.
Delegates also held their individual business meetings in Bahrain in respective sectors of Processed foods, Basmati rice, Meat and Poultry. The visit concluded on 26th July 2024 at Bahrain.
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