Local plastics companies call for greater support from Oman government

Muscat: Local plastics companies in Oman have called for more supportive measures by the government to help them expand their business and compete with imported products.
Azhar Hamoud Ahmed Al Hinai, deputy general manager, Bin Ahmed Enterprises, believes that more support can protect Omani companies, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Speaking to the Times of Oman at a recent exhibition, Al Hinai said competitors from outside Oman have been bringing their products to Oman and offering them at a lower price.
They are ‘killing’ the market in Oman, he said, adding that customers would prefer to buy a cheaper product even if the price difference is minimal.
Bin Ahmed Enterprises is a leading manufacturer and supplier of plastic household products in the Middle East. It offers a wide range of plastic household products, including plastic buckets, plastic storage drums, plastic tubs and basins and plastic mugs.
It also offers microwavable products, as well as containers that can keep food for a couple of hours without it losing its temperature.
Delivery
Asked about other challenges facing the company, Al Hinai said Bin Ahmed Enterprises is an old and established company and does not face any big challenges, but noted that it would be good if some issues related to drivers, who are important for delivery, are resolved.
There is a lack of knowledge among some Omanis and the company has been trying to educate the staff that they have to work hard to stay in a job, he noted.
Commenting on manpower regulations, the Omani businessman said the government has to consider various aspects of any regulation before enforcing it as even a small change in the law may affect the whole manufacturing sector.
Community’s support
Asked about the community’s support for local products, Al Hinai said that more people are becoming conscious about whether a product is made in Oman or not.
This support helps local companies and encourages them to enhance the quality of the products, he noted.
He added that creativity, new designs and products give the company an edge over other firms.
Bin Ahmed Enterprises claims its plastic products are versatile and flexible and are recognised for their great design, style, impact strength and clarity.
The company exports its products to several parts of the world, including European and African markets, Al Hinai said, adding that the company plans to expand into more markets.
Reducing price
In addition, Dasney Pereira, commercial promoter at Polythene and Plastic Production Co. believes that the community’s support for Omani products is there, but further government support can help local companies reduce their prices so that nobody will go across the border to buy any item.
Polythene and Plastic Production Co. is a pioneer in manufacturing plastic-related products for various household, packaging and industrial purposes.
It produces a broad range of products, including shopping bags, bakery bags, food bags, garbage bags, textile and garment bags, plant bags, polythene sheets, caution tapes for electrical, gas and water connections, stretch film and binding straps for packing of cartons, as well as disposable table sheets.
Driver issue
Pereira pointed out that one of the manpower-related challenges that the company faces is the fact that some drivers leave without giving any notice in advance.
Echoing a similar view, Mariam Said Al Masroori, a debt controller at the company’s finance department, said if a driver does not show up for even two days, it means business loss for the company.
She also said some restrictions regarding the issuance of visas are affecting manufacturing activities and other things.
“Sometimes they give us two or three, but we need more,” Al Masroori said.
Expansion
Pereira said Polythene and Plastic Production Co. would be able to implement expansion plans if the regulations are relaxed and there are no barriers.
He added that there will be no point if there is a production plant and products are manufactured, but no driver will be available to deliver the products.
According to him, the company also has plans for exports, but is currently seeking to cover demand in the local market in various parts of Oman.