Chilli sauces to spice up Asean markets, Lao expats
Chilli sauces to spice up Asean markets, Lao expats
The original taste of local food and character of designs are potential selling points for traditional products to gain popularity among both domestic and foreign buyers.
Jeo bong or chilli sauce, a Lao traditional food now has the possibility of entry to foreign markets and should be able to win the hearts of Lao expatriates and some foreign buyers in Laos' neighbouring countries, according to a local entrepreneur.
Managing Director of Mekong Lao Export and Import Co., Ltd Ms Latsamy Vetsaphong, who is also the owner of the Sep Eeli franchise restaurant told Vientiane Times recently that the re-packaged products of all kinds of chilli sauces cooked by local chefs will be among the first Lao foods to go to foreign countries.
“This is not just a kind of business but also one of the best ways to promote Lao cuisines to foreign folks,” she said, noting that this kind of food is also similar to the foods of neighbouring Thailand and Cambodia.
Ms Latsamy explained that the re-packaged products of jeo bong are collected from every province all over the country, making it easier for customers to select their favourite ones when they decide to buy them.
Under the Eeli brand, the collection of Lao traditional chilli sauces with different tastes and cooking methods are set to attract more Lao expats who live outside their homeland.
“I'm sure that Lao people who have been living overseas for many years will buy these products as souvenirs and food when they are leaving Laos,” Ms Latsamy said.
When asked about the plans for the export of jeo bong goods in a larger quantity to other countries, Ms Latsamy said that it is still the future plan because exports will have to be self-sufficient in raw materials and their budgets for food production.
The selection of outstanding foods from each province will enable buyers who visit Laos to think of the orig ins of Lao food.
“I was trying to think of when I lived in a foreign country; if I visited Laos I would have to buy some souvenirs. That would be textiles made of silk and chilli sauces as souvenirs, so I decided to pick up the chilli sauces as my first choice,” Ms Latsamy said.
Every province across Laos has different characters and tastes of traditional cuis ines and it will be a great idea to select the best foods for those Lao expats to think of their motherland when eating Lao food in their adopted countries.
The jeo bong of the Eeli brand is selling for between 50,000 kip to 80,000 kip per bottle; the prices of these products are considered based on the costs of raw materials and transportation from each province.
Sep Eeli is famous for its stringy foods including noodles and rice noodles, founded by Ms Latsamy Vetsaphong, which are registered with the Ministry of Science and Technology.
