The OCIPED: a starting point for exporters

To boost the country's exports and investment potential, the government instituted The Omani Center for Investment Promotion and Export Development (OCIPED) by a Royal Decree. It started functioning from January 1997.

The center’s main aims are to uphold an individual's right to choose in commercial transitions, to voluntary exchange goods and services, have the freedom to compete, to offer protection of personal, intellectual and property rights, and allow access to sound money.

The organisation endeavours to create a favourable image of Oman as an investment destination and a source of quality Omani products, to draw export strategy and disseminate information gathered from market entry studies and trade besides facilitating investment and export development.

To achieve the these targets, OCIPED embarked on a number of activities, locally and internationally, such as advertising, direct mailing, export and investment seminars, export and investment missions, participation in trade delegation and exhibition, inviting international buyers, setting up Oman TradeMap - the trade information database, market studies, etc.

OCIPED facilitates the setting up of a new venture by securing all necessary government approvals and by coordinating with relevant agencies. It helps exporters by providing assistance in assessing export opportunities. It also acts as a link between local manufacturers and international buyers, identifying Omani products that have export potential and finding the right target market for them. Its strategy lies in identifying Omani products for exports, target new markets and chalk out short-term, medium term and long-term strategies for the Omani origin exports.

The centre maintains a database on product trade flows developed by the International Trade Centre (ITC/Geneva). Oman is the first country in the GCC and second in Arab states to establish TradeMap, a trade information portal covering 72 sectors, which has over 372 registered users so far. Oman also has the distinction of being the first country in the GCC to establish ProductMap in May 2006.

The Export Answer Book for Small and Medium Sized Exporters is a unique, practical, result-based reference custom-prepared guide to exporting. Designed for small businesses engaged in exporting products or services, the adapted version provides a comprehensive overview of the export transaction from an operational point of view. It has 148 frequently asked questions (FAQ) on export process with simple and easily comprehensible answer.

The Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), which is essentially a preferential tariff system, provides advantages to developing countries by enabling qualifying products to enter markets of donor countries at reduced or totally eliminated rates of duty, and thus at more competitive prices.

GSP data for European Union, USA, Switzerland, Turkey and Japan is available.
OCIPED in coordination with UNCTAD, Geneva, has compiled a website with the GSP data. Information on the center's activities and information can be accessed at www.ociped.com.