ODOP scheme needs govt support to drive production, supply

ODOP scheme needs govt support to drive production, supply

The Department of Trade Promotion expects to further cooperate with the tourism sector to increase the supply of One District, One Product (ODOP) goods.

�Our department is still looking at improving assistance for the ODOP scheme, including production and supply,� the department's Director General Mr Somvang Ninthavong told Vientiane Times recently.

�The cooperation plan with the tourism sector aims to drive the supply of local products, as advised by the government,� he said.

He added that to drive ODOP supply, the department hopes to cooperate with the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.

�This cooperation would supply ODOP goods to service operators,� Mr Somvang said.

Service operators include hotels, restaurants, tourism companies and gift shops. �These operators can use ODOP products as souvenirs for guests like service operators in other countries are doing now,� he added.

At present only a few ODOP producers have business cooperation with a small number of service operators. The government is looking to expand that cooperation and the related state sectors must work tog ether to promote and drive local production for both local and overseas supply in the future.

Currently the main buyers of ODOP products are visitors. �We can see that visitors often select and pick up these products,� he said.

ODOP items designed for the tourist market are mainly souvenirs or items that are easy to carry home. �People mainly prefer herbal goods or health products as they are made of natural and organic materials,� he added.

To further satisfy tourists, many ODOP producers use modern methods to create attractive packaging and make their products more appealing.

With the use of modern technology for packaging, �many people don't know that the products are made in Laos; people often think they are imported because they look so good,� Mr Somvang said.

Currently ODOP goods mainly sell at the fairs both in Laos and overseas. There are many ODOP products at tourist sites locally, and many are supplied to neighbouring countries, other Asean nations and to some EU countries.

However the department is still looking to accelerate ODOP development to meet the requirements of domestic and international markets.

Despite the Lao ODOP initiative attracting good sales in domestic and some export markets, local producers and entrepreneurs need to pay more attention to business management and product development.

Many ODOP businesses still have limited knowledge especially about the basics of trading, business management and marketing.

More cooperation from various sectors is required for the ODOP scheme to meet its full potential, including the ministries of Agriculture and Forestry, Industry and Commerce and Finance as well as banks, along with entrepreneurs and farmers.

The department is currently implementing the ODOP scheme through about 123 businesses and producer groups, which make 451 products in 119 villages in 67 districts of 16 provinces.

vientiane times