News

The Canadian Health Centre’s Counseling Psychologist Sara Hassan advises everyone to equally prioritize their mental and physical health during this time.

Remember that your overall wellbeing is always a priority, however; during a worldwide crisis such as Covid-19 your wellbeing and safety are crucial. Maintain a positive attitude regarding what is going on in the world and trust the process. This will pass so take advantage of the time you have towards the things you didn’t have time to do during the hustle and bustle of your daily lives prior to the pandemic. If watching and reading the news makes you anxious limit your viewing or maybe even get the latest accurate information from a trusted friend or colleague every other day rather than daily. Furthermore, adopt a positive perspective and engage in healthy behaviors like eating healthy, staying well hydrated and exercising in your home or outdoors keeping in mind and sticking to the strict social distancing rules. Although we are currently social distancing, maintaining the meaningful emotional connections is a crucial part of staying positive and hopeful together.  So utilize all the social media and electronic platforms available to you. Your feelings are valid and you are not alone so make sure you talk to family and friends and engage in those meaningful conversations.

Also, take advantage of the excessive time you have and do the things you’ve always wanted to do like draw, paint, read, dance, sing, journal, and organize your closet, for example. Finally, try to be mindful in everything you do, whether it is while walking, cooking, eating, and praying, for example. Focus on the 5 things you can see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell and the 1 thing you can taste. This is an extremely effective grounding technique. We are all in this together so lets all show each other love, kindness and compassion.

For more information on any of the material presented here don’t hesitate to contact the Canadian Health Centre at 24139659, or connect with Sara Hassan directly on hassan.sara1@gmail.com 

The Anual Discover America was concluded on Sunday, October 20th, by celebrating and networking at the Deputy Chief of Mission’s Residence with U.S. Ambassador Sievers, an event co-hosted in partnership with the U.S. Embassy. We want to thank our members and guests for joining us and making the evening a delightful one, congratulate all the raffle winners, and extend our thanks to all of our sponsors for supporting Discover America and being a part of its success.

As part of the annual Discover America campaign, the OABC hosted its 3rd Tech Talk Series, this time with Microsoft. AbdelKarim Abu Jaber, Territory Sales and Channel Manager at Microsoft conducted a seminar on digital transformation and cloud technologies. Attendees, together with the speaker, discussed the strategies taken in today’s technological age that aim to organize and manage different kinds of businesses. Microsoft has recently joined the OABC as a Premium Member, and we look forward to future collaboration together.

On Monday, October 7th, the OABC and members of the greater business community in Oman gathered together to hold a tax and legal seminar, in partnership with EY Oman and Clyde & Co at the Grand Hyatt Muscat. The experts discussed new laws that were issued over the summer, which were designed to promote business in Oman. These include the five Royal Decrees on Privatization, Bankruptcy, Foreign Capital Investment, Partnership Between Public and Private Sectors and additional amendments to the tax laws.

We were at the W Hotel on October 14th, 2019, for a seminar on the Free Trade Agreement, in partnership with the US Embassy and the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Ambassador Marc J. Sievers and HE Qais from Chamber of Commerce along with three OABC Members spoke about their experiences with the U.S.-Oman Free Trade Agreement.

OABC Premium Member Asha Enterprises has graciously invited OABC’s Premium Members to dine at Mumtaz Mahal on October 9th to launch of the restaurant’s new Street Eats menu. The tapas-style menu was highlighted briefly by Chef Tryon and Manager Henry, and raffles, delicious food, and networking followed on the outdoor terrace.

Presented by the Oman American Business Center (AmCham Oman), in partnership with the U.S. Commercial Service and U.S. Embassy

The Oman American Business Center (AmCham Oman), the U.S.
Commercial Service, and the U.S. Embassy are pleased to announce the launch of the fifth
annual Discover America campaign in Oman. The regional campaign will first launch in
Oman from October 11 to October 19, then subsequently launch in the U.A.E., Qatar,
Bahrain, and Kuwait. The campaign will feature a series of trade promotion events that
celebrate strong U.S.-Omani economic ties and showcase American businesses, technology,
food, music, and film.

This year is especially significant because it marks the ten-year anniversary of the U.S.-
Oman Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which has helped Oman more than double its exports
to the U.S. and conversely, helped lower the price of and increase access to U.S. imports in
Oman. In 2018, the FTA helped generate more than $4 billion in trade between the two
countries. The weeklong series of events kicks off on October 11 when the U.S. Air Forces Central
Command Band will perform American jazz and pop music at the Hormuz Grand Muscat
hotel and City Centre Muscat mall. To showcase American foods and products, Lulu
Hypermarkets and U.S.-branded retails stores such as Starbucks and Bath & Body Works
will offer special promotions and discounts from October 13 to October 19.

Shifting gears to trade and investment, on October 14, the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry
(OCCI) will host a seminar focused on utilizing the FTA. With technology playing a
prominent role in accelerating global economic development, Microsoft executives will
discuss the flagship U.S. company’s new cloud-based services in Oman, as part of a “Tech
Talk” series hosted by the AmCham Oman on October 15. AmCham Oman will also be
hosting on the same day a U.S. franchise consultant who can provide advice and
connections to investors interested in establishing a U.S franchise in Oman. The campaign
concludes with a screening of an award-winning documentary film “America’s Musical
Journey,” as narrated by Morgan Freeman, at VOX Cinema on October 16.

Throughout the week, the U.S. Embassy team, including U.S. Ambassador to Oman Marc J.
Sievers, will attend events and visit various U.S. retail outlets that are promoting the U.S.
products and brands. “The Discover America campaign provides Omanis and expat
residents an opportunity to enjoy a slice of American life and is a prime example of how
public-private partnerships can have a positive impact on strengthening our bilateral economic relationship.

The campaign was initiated as a fun and innovative way to bring
our two peoples closer together and, at the same time, to help Omanis see the increasing
interest American companies have in contributing to Oman’s future.” said Ambassador
Sievers.

AmCham Oman Executive Director Rebecca Olson also stated, “The Oman American
Business Center (AmCham Oman) is proud to support Discover America each year, and
together with the U.S. Embassy in Muscat, we take great pride in highlighting U.S.
companies, brands, technology, and business, as the official affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of
Commerce in Oman. We look forward to a week of interesting and informative events for
the public and to highlighting unique flavors, sights, and sounds of the U.S.A.”

This year’s Discover America partners include Oman American Business Center (AmCham
Oman), U.S. Commercial Service, U.S. Embassy Muscat, BrandUSA, Oman Chamber of
Commerce and Industry, Microsoft, Lulu Hypermarket, City Centre Muscat, Muscat Daily,
Apex Media, Hormuz Grand Muscat, Grand Hyatt, VOX Cinemas, and OUA.

For additional information, please visit:
• Oman American Business Center (AmCham Oman): https://oabc.org/
• U.S. Commercial Service: https://2016.export.gov/discoveramerica/
• U.S. Embassy: https://om.usembassy.gov/

The Oman American Business Center kicked off a full fall lineup of networking and informational events for Muscat’s business community, starting with Cosmic Bowling at the Kempinski Hotel Muscat in early September. Over 70 executives from dozens of companies in Oman enjoyed friendly competition and opportunities to connect with each other and discuss business while participating in a unique activity.