Trade promotion department looking to improve ODOP
Trade promotion department looking to improve ODOP
The Department of Trade Promotion is still looking to improve One District One Product (ODOP) development to meet the requirements of domestic and international markets, according to its leading official.
Despite the Lao ODOP initiative attracting good sales on the domestic and some export markets, local producers and entrepreneurs needed to pay more attention to business management and product development, the department Director General, Mr Somvang Ninthavong advised.
Many ODOP entrepreneurs still have limited technical knowledge especially on the basics of trading, business management and marketing, he said.
To further assist producers the department will continue encouraging their participation at trade fairs and meetings to exchange new ideas and lessons learnt from individual producers, Mr Somvang said.
The events will also give them the opportunity to meet with domestic and foreign trading partners.
The department will continue promoting ODOP rules and conditions and select the best of national ODOP by providing a star logo rating to entrepreneurs from one to five.
Other initiatives include improving national ODOP regulations, coordinating with relevant sectors on accessing finance, and encouraging businesses and producer groups which received the national ODOP logo to register their trademarks.
The Department of Trade Promotion is working with experts to improve the capacity of producers in labour skill development, processing techniques, packaging, product design to meet market needs and promoting the purchasing of Lao products.
The department is currently implementing the ODOP policy working with about 123 businesses and producer groups which comprises 451 products across 119 villages in 67 districts of 16 provinces.
About 70.7 percent of the products are handicrafts and interior decor products, 21.7 percent are food and drinks, while 7.6 percent are herbal supplements.
Most products sold domestically are purchased by local consumers and tourists, while many products are exported to Southeast Asia and Europe.
However, more cooperation from various sectors was required for Lao ODOP to meet its full potential, Mr Somvang explained.
This included the ministries of Agriculture and Forestry, Industry and Commerce and Finance as well as state banks, along with the scientific research sector, plus entrepreneurs and farmers.
