Events

Muscat, Oman — The Oman American Business Council (OABC) held its much-anticipated Holiday Gathering at the newly opened SiO2 Beach Lounge, Shangri-La Muscat. The festive evening brought together valued members, partners, and special guests to celebrate the successes of the year and foster meaningful connections.

The event was honored by the presence of H.E. Ambassador Ana Escrogima, U.S. Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman, who addressed the attendees and underscored the importance of strengthening bilateral relationships and fostering collaboration between the U.S. and Oman.

The SiO2 Beach Lounge, with its stunning seaside views and elegant atmosphere, provided the perfect setting for the OABC community to network, celebrate, and enjoy the spirit of the season.

“This year’s Holiday Gathering was a reflection of the strong partnerships and collaborative efforts that drive the OABC forward,” said Rebecca Olson, CEO of OABC. “We are honored to have U.S. Ambassador Escrogima join us as our Guest of Honor, and we look forward to continuing to support business connections and opportunities for our members in the coming year.”

OABC also extends its sincere gratitude to the generous raffle prize sponsors, whose contributions added excitement and joy to the evening. Their support was instrumental in making the event a success and further exemplified the strong community spirit within the OABC network.

The Oman American Business Council remains committed to fostering business growth, knowledge sharing, and strategic networking opportunities for its members in Oman and beyond.

For more information about the Oman American Business Council, upcoming events, and membership opportunities, please contact: info@oabc.org.

About the Oman American Business Council (OABC): The Oman American Business Council is Oman’s largest business network, fostering trade, investment, and partnerships between Oman and the United States. Through events, resources, and advocacy, the OABC supports its members in navigating the complexities of international business and advancing bilateral economic ties.

On November 12th, the OABC held its first-ever Taco Tuesday Business Networking Night at The Oasis Club, and it was a smashing success!

OABC members enjoyed an evening of networking, delicious tacos, and fantastic raffle prizes, with our special guest Leslie Ordeman, Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy. A big thank you to our amazing sponsors for their generous contributions, making the night even more memorable.

Stay tuned for more great events like this – we can’t wait to see you at the next one!

On November 6th, 2024, OABC hosted its 3rd HR Community gathering, powered by Takaful Oman, at Oman Arab Bank, Al Ghubra. HR professionals and business leaders came together for an engaging discussion on how technology is changing the HR game.

We were joined by Marwa Al Kharusi, Senior VP of HR & Admin at Ominvest, and Dinesh Gagnani, Head of Learning & Development at Takaful Oman, who shared their valuable insights on the growing impact of AI in HR. The session sparked a lively and stimulating conversation about how technology is reshaping HR practices, with a particular focus on the evolving role of AI in the workplace.

What made this gathering truly special was the opportunity for attendees to actively participate, share their experiences, and contribute their thoughts on how AI and other innovative technologies are being implemented in HR today.

A big thank you to our speakers and everyone who joined us — it was a fantastic opportunity to learn, connect, and chat about the future of HR in a digital world.

The Oman American Business Council (OABC) recently hosted a highly successful event, “Demystifying Bitcoin, Cryptos, and Blockchain: A 101 for Executive Success in Both Business and Personal Finance,” on October 30th at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Muscat. The event provided attendees with valuable insights into the world of cryptocurrency, empowering them to navigate digital assets with confidence.

The keynote speaker, Kevin Wippermann, Chief Technology Officer and expert in Digital Transformation and Innovation, delivered an engaging session that simplified complex concepts in cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. Business leaders and executives gained practical knowledge to help them explore how cryptocurrency and blockchain could play a role in their business strategies and personal investment portfolios.

Rebecca Olson, CEO of the Oman American Business Council, emphasized the importance of this session: “Cryptocurrency and blockchain are rapidly evolving fields that have the potential to reshape aspects of both business and finance. We’re thrilled to offer our members this opportunity to deepen their understanding and explore where digital assets like Bitcoin might be headed. Events like this help our business community stay informed and ready for the future.”

Reflecting on the event, Kevin Wippermann shared, “Bitcoin and blockchain technology are still in their early stages, but they hold immense potential. My goal was to give executives a clear understanding of the fundamentals and to outline the possible directions in which this technology could develop. It was inspiring to see OABC members engaging with these ideas and exploring the future possibilities.”

This event is part of OABC’s ongoing commitment to support the business community in Oman by offering valuable knowledge and resources in emerging areas of interest. With the rapid development of digital assets worldwide, OABC aims to equip its members with relevant information to help them make informed decisions in an evolving landscape.

OABC hosted an insightful roundtable discussion with Judith D. Pryor, First Vice President and Vice Chair of the Board at the U.S. EXIM Bank. The event offered valuable perspectives on how EXIM Bank can support Omani businesses through financing opportunities for U.S. goods and services.
Key highlights included strategies for leveraging EXIM’s resources to drive growth, with a particular focus on sectors critical to Oman’s economic development. The dynamic conversation provided our members with practical tools for expanding their operations internationally.

Read more here.

On October 8, 2024, Oman Arab Business Council (OABC) held an inspiring HR Community event focused on Crafting Family-Friendly Policies. The session highlighted the significant benefits of such policies for companies and their employees.

Key insights included:

• Companies implementing family-friendly policies experience higher employee retention.
• Introducing mother-and-child-friendly services can reduce absenteeism by 9%.
• 51% of companies offering childcare solutions report increased profitability.
• 61% have become employers of choice after establishing childcare services.
• Programs supporting women’s health lead to fewer work errors and improved performance.

Thank you to all participants for contributing to a fruitful discussion! We look forward to continuing the conversation around creating supportive workplaces.

Click here to see more!

Oman Arab Business Council (OABC) recently hosted an impactful webinar with Stories, a premium member, on September 30, focusing on the importance of purpose in driving business success.

Led by the Founder of Stories and Purpose Coach, the session explored how aligning business strategies with a clear purpose can ignite action, foster sustainable growth, and create new revenue streams. Attendees gained valuable insights on leveraging purpose to inspire teams and enhance decision-making.

The event underscored OABC’s commitment to providing resources and support for business leaders in today’s unpredictable landscape. We thank all participants for their engagement and look forward to more opportunities for learning and collaboration.

The Oman American Business Council (AmCham Oman), in collaboration with Better Medical Solutions, successfully hosted its annual Back to Business Networking Night on Wednesday, September 25th, at the Sheraton Hotel Muscat. This event served as a dynamic platform for Omani and international businesses to reconnect after the summer break, facilitating meaningful networking opportunities while promoting the strategic benefits of the US-Oman Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

The Back to Business Networking Night brought together over 180 esteemed members of the Oman business community after the summer break. Attendees enjoyed a vibrant evening of engaging conversations, fostering new connections and strengthening existing relationships. As part of the event, Better Medical Solutions demonstrated their utilization of the US-Oman FTA by importing premium U.S. medical devices into Oman, exemplifying how local businesses can capitalize on the agreement for mutual growth and prosperity.

The event was made even more exciting with a raffle draw, offering attendees a chance to win fantastic prizes. Better Medical Solutions, Sheraton Hotel Muscat, and Europcar generously provided the raffle prizes, with Europcar offering the grand prize of the evening (a luxurious weekend getaway in Bahrain for the Europcar Open and Gala Awards).

“I have been in the healthcare field for over 3 decades,” says Khaled Kassar, CEO of Better Medical Solutions. “I never imagined I’d be venturing into any new business, but since joining OABC in 2022, my company has branched into AI, construction and project management, and recently launched a manufacturing facility. We’re seeking to become FDA-registered to export to the vast U.S. market under the Free Trade Agreement. Indeed OABC is the platform I needed to build the right network so I could diversify my portfolio and create a new business line. Tonight was all about celebrating these new connections.”

“The room was absolutely buzzing and there is a real momentum in the air,” says Rebecca Olson, CEO of OABC. “One thing is for certain, that there is a hunger for business networking in Oman. Professionals want a place to connect with others who are focused on business, in a friendly atmosphere. We are proud to deliver an opportunity like this to the members and the wider business community, and look forward to many similar events throughout the coming season. And special thanks to BMS for sponsoring the night and sharing their success story with others.”

With over 180 member companies and as Oman’s largest and most active business networking organization, OABC remains dedicated to organizing impactful events that facilitate networking, knowledge-sharing, and business growth within the Oman business community.

Click here to see a snapshot of the event

On September 18, OABC Premium Members were treated to an exclusive culinary journey at the stunning St. Regis Al Mouj Muscat Resort. From the rich flavors of Greece to the classic elegance of Italy, and the vibrant tastes of Peru and Oman specialties influenced by Zanzibar and India, it was a night where exquisite cuisine took center stage. Our members experienced a world of flavors in one evening—along with opportunities for networking, of course.

A big thank you to the St. Regis Al Mouj Muscat Resort team for curating such a wonderful event and to our Premium Members for joining us.

Click here to watch more!

On September 11th, the OABC proudly launched its HR Community, the Oman HR Community (OHRC), with over 80 attendees joining this significant event. We are immensely grateful to Takaful Oman for their generous sponsorship, which made the creation of the OHRC possible. Their support has been instrumental in bringing together HR professionals across Oman to share knowledge and foster growth.

We would also like to thank Oman Arab Bank for hosting us, and a special appreciation goes to our keynote speaker, Mutheer Al Kalbani, for his enlightening presentation on “Building a High-Performance Driven Culture.”

This marks the beginning of an exciting journey, with a series of valuable events already lined up to benefit HR professionals in Oman. Thank you to all who participated and contributed to the success of the launch.

If you’re not yet an OABC member and are interested in joining the HR Community, please reach out to us at info@oabc.org for more information.